Godspeed

By Tess Blenkinsop

A friend sent this very moving and thoughtful film (link below - I hope you can find time to watch it). So much of it made me think of the fast pace at which we live and our social connections; both of which have been changed by Covid.

Before the lockdowns I didn’t spend enough time listening to people - always rushing onto the next thing, feeling that I was achieving simply by speed. Wishing someone Godspeed - I’ve always thought that it meant for them to go quickly so that the difficulties of life are skimmed over. I now see that it means to walk steadily so you can see God’s hand at work and that may include those hardships. I have always thought that the faster I go the more I achieve - that maybe so with four kids, three jobs and all the rest, but I think, like Matt I have been running too fast for a fuller comprehension and deeper faith in what has been done for me. Lent is like the Italian word for slow - Lente. This is a time for slowing and reflection. Covid has been good for that.

Conversely in these virus affected, socially distanced timed I find myself much less communicative and nervous of meeting people, even friends I know very well - the idea of going to a party just too impossible. This film has made me acutely aware that our existence as humans is as social creatures - that we are here to know each other. One of the contributors said that humans are endlessly fascinating when we take time to know and  BE KNOWN by each other. This is such an interesting idea. As a result of the lockdowns I have become more guarded about letting myself be known, holding things unsaid and in reserve. This film very much focuses on 'the grace’ of allowing others in. It really is what we are here for. The filming of facial close ups was a very generous and brave thing for each of those people to do - a gift of a clear, uncomplicated expression. The beauty of each of them was so engaging I found myself smiling back at them. A smile is the first and easiest act of giving. A starting point.

The film is about half an hour long, I do hope you have time to watch. I found it incredibly moving (it also conjures up a wonderful picture of life in the North East of Scotland, very near where my husband's family come from.) It has reset my social awareness to remember how much potential there is in each encounter. As a model for an Associate Priest, I think a candidate whose philosophy of parish outreach is based on Matt’s example would do very well at SMV.

https://www.livegodspeed.org/watchgodspeed-cover 

Tess is Chair of the Green team and loves the shipping forecast, the smell of lime trees and eating ice cream.