Cool Dude!

Mr HCB decided not to go to cricket at Bristol today - said he was so cold yesterday and anyway rain was forecast - so he asked if I would like to go out for a coffee instead. We're not the sort to go out drinking in the evenings, but often enjoy a coffee in the Old Town area of Swindon and as we know so many people it's like a social occasion.

We often go into The Old Bank and today was no exception - while we were in there, this little chap came in with his mum and her friend. He really did look cool in his shades, so I asked if I could take a photograph of him - she readily agreed and this is the result. I asked her later if she would mind if I put him on here - told her a bit about blipfoto - and again she was quite happy. I said no-one would recognise him anyway, but she didn't seem concerned, and it was a good chance to have a chat with her anyway - well, when you're retired, you have all the time in the world to chat!

Our friend Trevor was sitting in his usual place in the corner when another couple of friends, Dave and Gill, came in and we were so delighted to see them. Dave was very seriously injured in a bicycle accident on New Year's Eve last year and wasn't expected to live, so he is, in fact, a walking miracle. His face was so badly injured, apparently, that even his family hardly recognised him, but thanks to the skill of the doctors and nurses both at Bristol and in Swindon, he is definitely on the mend. There is still a long way to go and there will be many hospital appointments for sometime, but we are praying for his full recovery - as are many people all round the world. Dave and his wife were overwhelmed by the support of friends both in Swindon and in far flung places and were very grateful that so many people prayed for Dave and the family during a very difficult time.

Dave is a musician - he writes songs and music, plays guitar and often leads worship - and as we were leaving he was telling me of a song that has really spoken to him in his present situation, Sovereign by Chris Tomlin. I find it really humbling and inspiring that even after all that has happened, Dave still believes in God's sovereignty - and some lines from the song really blessed me and reminded me of how we had trusted God when our younger son was involved in a serious road accident some years ago.

In your never failing love
You work everything for good;
God whatever comes my way,
I will trust you.

Have a great weekend!