LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR
I’m Glyn, a 64-year-old milkman whose life was transformed by becoming a Christian soon after a dramatic career change at the age of 36, prior to which I was a Bank Manager.
And let me say at the outset that the glory for anything I’ve done since, including what this message is about, goes to God, without whose prompting and guidance none of this would have happened.
I haven’t been adversely affected (except in my leisure and social life) by the pandemic – quite the opposite, we were designated “key workers” last March and work became even busier as more customers came on board wanting home deliveries. Their reaction to our service was tremendous, with lots of messages of thanks and support. Thus I am, as the Amplified Version of the Bible would put it, “blessed, spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired…”!
I had moved house in July 2018 to a flat in Brierley Hill (about which I had major reservations but received assurance from God that it was the right thing to do). The first neighbour to welcome me was 92-year-old Mick, but for two years we were just on “nodding terms” (partly because I work nights and partly because he’s hard of hearing!)
Then, as he was required to shield, God prompted me one Saturday morning to phone him just to check that he was OK and see if he needed any help. Cutting a very long story as short as I can, that resulted in me doing his shopping ever since, rescuing him when he crashed his car last October (who put that bollard there?! - it wasn’t there when he grew up in Chapel Street Pensnett!) and subsequently sorting out his affairs as regards the car and indeed his phone – he is plagued by nuisance calls, very distressing for a man of his age, so we continue to work to resolve that.
But we’ve also had many conversations and, in coming to love him as a neighbour, I’ve also learned that he is one of life’s worriers.
One of the first passages of scripture which I ever learned, and indeed the first on which I ever preached, was Matthew 6:25-34. Verses 33-34 say “seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (See also Philippians 4:6-7).
Glyn Berrington
Age 64
Milkman
Interesting Fact:
Glyn once used to read out the financial news on Beacon Radio. You’re now more likely to hear him on the breakfast show on Radio WM, either talking about non-league football or taking part in “Daz’s pop quiz”!
I’ve been able to share this with Mick and try to put his mind at rest about the various travails he faces!
Over the years God has often spoken to me in three words; and two such examples which I pray on a regular basis are “every need met” and “peace in turmoil”. And that is my heart’s desire both for Mick and anyone who reads this.
Mark 12:29-31 says “the most important commandment is… love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, all your strength. The second is equally important. Love your neighbour as yourself.”
I had no idea how one phone call would change my life. Try it!