I was delighted that Her Majesty the Queen’s visit to Ireland went so well. The Irish people were very happy to receive her and the Queen herself seemed just happy to be there. It was a hugely successful visit, a visit indeed long awaited, a journey at last fulfilled.
I was reminded of another kind of journey to Ireland that was made when I was a boy. My father decided that my three elder brothers, aged 13, 12 and 10 should travel to Ireland by stages. He put them on the train to Bristol with their bicycles and from there on they had to cycle to Newport and then to Cardiff and Swansea and on to Holyhead and over to Ireland by boat. The point of the challenge for the boys was that my father only gave them enough money for each day, so when they arrived at each stage of the journey they had to go to the post office and collect a certain amount of money which would last for just one day. I remember my mother was very anxious about her ‘darling’ sons until at last a postcard arrived from the eldest boy which read: no money, all sick, love, Jim.
Why I am telling you this story is because we have to live each day to the full. The past is over. There may be regrets – sorrows – joys but it is past – and the future – we don’t know the future. All we can do is trust in God that He will guide us and sustain us. It is today that matters. Live it to the full, giving thanks to God, doing good to others, knowing that it is today that you can do God’s will and be of service to others. What is it the Psalmist says: This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad.
2:48:30 minutes into the programme
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b011r5b9/The_Chris_Evans_Breakfast_Show_16_06_2011/
Full transcript
