September Blog 2026
I am reminded frequently that I am rapidly approaching my 60th birthday. Not that I can celebrate it at the time – I’ve started another casual job which has a residential in a conference centre on the day so I’ll be attending presentations and will arrive home with barely a thought of it. I am impressed by Life group friends who were able to bring together a hall full of people to celebrate their milestones!
It reminds me of the humbleness of my background and gives me doubts about my impact, whether I am making a difference and how I would be remembered – my legacy. For instance, with Ell transgender and Jen happily dating with no thoughts of marriage I doubted the prospect of grandchildren. Then Jen was whisked off for a birthday weekend and in a closed park overlooking Rome at sunset, her boyfriend popped the question, so maybe my wishes are not so impossible after all! The lack of grandchildren kind of breaks my heart and tugs at my own biological clock as I’m ready and eager to help raise some, and I now understand the lengths and journeys new grandparents go on to see theirs. It urges me to be a role model to the wonderful youngsters in Kids Klub and Youth, although I realise being a role model means I may not ever see the results. In the same way I continue to emulate our recently departed colleague who I felt privileged to know and respect and who I continue to hold as a role model for me.
Prompted by my wife I’ve started to ‘take a breath’ to pause and try and appreciate what is around me as part of seeing what difference I make and what legacy I am leaving. As Job 37 says: Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders.
As I’ve tuned in to my own impact, I see that Ell has secured their dream job of working at the largest operational railway signal box in the world (Shrewsbury Severn Bridge) and is able to buy a house at 26. They have changed railway regions, and we’ve heard of a wealth of drivers, signallers and station staff who know of him and look forward to seeing them, in person or leaning out of a signal box window. Ell’s helpfulness, politeness, positive attitude to passengers and colleagues (and fondness for yellow clothes) has made them renowned in both regions. Jennifer is in Suffolk and despite not having a specific career she is building a life of being helpful and caring. I’m reminded that my legacy through them is in them copying my attitude of positive Christian values, helping and openness, showing their faith by attitudes and values as much as attending church, which they both do. Proverbs 22: Start children off in the way they should go and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
Over years I have followed different bits of advice and set up habitats in our little garden – a clump of ivy, a hedge of different species, a pond, a dead woodpile, a patch of long grass cut once a year, bird feeders, a border of shrubs, and flowers meant to provide shelter and food for pollinating insects. At a glance each is messy and disappointing but when I pause, I see things – a cricket, a grasshopper, a hummingbird hawkmoth, more sparrows and starlings each year, pond skaters, water snails, lily flowers. None would be there if I didn’t have the habitats, and none are noticed until I pause. Matthew 25. Whatever you did for one of the least of these…you did for me.
I give to charities frequently now, trusting in God to provide – I tithe all the income I get, and find I still have enough to give to the causes that sadden me – saving pangolins from being traded; saving birdlife in Malta from hunting; wildlife research; campaigning for a sustainable population. I sometimes feel I’m not making a difference as the amounts feel small compared to the problems, but I hope they have a legacy of difference. But then, nobody else may do it, so I feel urged to do it anyway. I know my tithing is not enough to save our church, but I will do it anyway and play my part. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5
By pausing and noticing in church, I realise that I am appreciating more what people are doing around me taking on responsibilities – the people running the cafes, leaders of children’s groups, preachers, the band and tech, cleaners and gardeners, those who do it voluntarily or employed without thanks. I’m going to try and appreciate them more as I go on so that they know that they too have a legacy of being the lifeblood of the church, and I’m starting my appreciation now – if that is you, thank you for your work, your legacy and may God, and the rest of the church family, bless you.
Mike Jones