by Canon Alec Boyd, Cathedral of the Isles, Millport

As I write the British Ladies Curling Team have just been knocked out of the Winter Olympic Games in a very close contest. Other snowboarding, skiing, ice skating, epic sledge runs down the twisting routes have given us so much really good entertainment. We can also looking forward to this weekend’s Calcutta Cup between the Scotland and England rugby teams. By the time you read this we will know the outcome! So much hard work, dedication, effort and energy going in to sporting activity at this high level is amazing. Their example shows us that to excel it requires disciplined hard work and dedication. Their example also teaches us that not everyone can come first and that we all need to be gracious and complimentary in coming lower down in the order. All these athletes are gracious and considerate and applaud all their colleagues and compliment their skills.

As we make our journey through life we can follow their examples and strive to be the best too. Sharing one another’s burdens, compliment one another’s successes and rejoice in each other’s skills, gifts and abilities. St Paul’s encourages us in his Letters in the New Testament that life is centred on our equality before God. Paul’s advises us to enjoy a dignified and happy life by remembering how a dedicated athlete trains. We should be gracious to one another, applaud and compliment one another’s’ gifts, skills, attainments and abilities.

Please come up to The Cathedral in Millport sometime and pop in to The Cloister Cafe and enjoy a cuppa in peace and tranquillity.