23 October, 2013

Contemplation

As I prepare for my first surgery since having my appendix removed in 1949 I have been mindful of one of my favourite school day quotations-

"More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.
Wherefore, let thy voice rise like a fountain for me night and day.
For what are men better than sheep or goats that nourish a blind life within the brain,
If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer both for themselves and those who call them friends? (Mort d Arthur-Alfred Lord Tennyson)


The logic strikes me as impeccable and the theology isn't too bad either! I am honoured that my Westminster Abbey cricket mate, Canon Ralph Godsall, (see Blog Log post July,2013) had me on the Westminster Abbey prayer list even before my local church! But, I wouldn't like to infer that God responds to some human perceived hierarchy of appellants!

My surgery next Tuesday is to remove that part of the sigmoid section of the colon which contains two well developed malignant tumors. CAT scans and MRI's have not revealed any other "nasties" elsewhere, so, I am hopeful of full recovery.

For some reason, quite unrelated, I have also recently been thinking of another favourite quote which I wish I had learned and put in to practice earlier in my life. For the record- "I don't like that man-I must get to know him".

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