Story: A Grandad's eye view

On a difficult day, one boy is reminded to look for signs of hope and growth. What signs of the times - good and bad - can we see around us today - in the weather, in the news, in our lives

Mum and Grandad sat at the kitchen table, reading the papers and drinking coffee. Suddenly, the back gate opened with a crash and there, walking slowly towards the house was a very sad-looking Robert. As he reached the edge of the patio he threw the football boots he was carrying down on the ground. Mum and Grandad looked at each other and smiled sadly. They didn't need to say anything. They knew Robert's team had lost the match. Eventually, Robert shuffled into the house and across the kitchen floor to the fridge. He pulled the fridge door open so hard that it banged into the kitchen cupboards causing a big splash of milk to drop to the floor. The he pulled out a can of pop and banged the fridge shut again. Then, silent at last, he slouched across the carpeted hall floor and flopped heavily into the big armchair in the lounge.

After a few minutes Grandad got up and went into the lounge. He looked down at Robert and said, 'What's up mate?' 'Football's a stupid game and I'm useless at it. I'm never playing again,' snapped Robert. 'Oh, come on, Robert, you don't mean that. Come on, come and pick your football boots up.' 'Throw them in the bin for all I care, I'm not wearing them ever again!' shouted Robert. Grandad stopped and tidied the papers on the table in front of where Robert was sitting. Eventually he stretched out his hand towards Robert. 'Come on, there's something I want to show you,' said Grandad, and he led Robert to the large glass cabinet that stood in the hallway. He stretched his free arm out towards it, pointing to the many trophies, medals and certificates that filled the shelves. 'Look Robert, all these are signs of the gifts and skills that God has given you, skills to play football and skills in swimming.'

Grandad led Robert away from the cabinet, through the kitchen and out into the back garden. In front of them, where the patio met the lawn, were six tubs filled with small flowers that were just beginning to bud in many bright and beautiful colours. Grandad stretched his hand down towards the tubs. 'Look, Robert, do you know each of those flowers started as a seed not much bigger than a grain of sand. Look at them now.' They both stood there in silence for a few minutes and Robert began to understand what Grandad was trying to tell him. It was only one match after all, one match in loads that he had played in. Things would get better. Robert turned around, bent down and picked up his football boots, which were lying by the flowers. He began to scrape the mud from between the studs. 'It was a good match today, you know, really. We can't expect to win every time, can we!'