THE P RTAL
September 2014
Page 24
Dear Graham...
Geoffrey Kirk muses
on an imaginary letter to an Agony Aunt
T
he Archbishop of Canterbury has written to the Pope expressing
the hope that cordial relations can continue despite the decision of the
General Synod to ordain women to the episcopate. Perhaps he should have
shared his concerns with Graham Norton, the Daily Telegraph’s agony aunt…
Dear Graham,
I have been dating someone for years now, with the
intention – or at least the hope – of marriage. Recently
I did something which I knew would create a barrier
between us. (She had warned me more than once that
it would put our whole relationship in jeopardy.) I
have written to her in the hope that we can get together
again, and that things will be just as they were. So far I
have had no reply. What more can I do?
Justin (address withheld)
Dear Justin,
You seem to me to be living in some sort of fantasy. If
this relationship really means anything to you, you will
have to ask yourself some soul-searching questions.
You don’t say what you did to cause the offense, but
you need to ask yourself whether it was worth it. And
whether, even at this stage, you can back track and
make amends.
If you can’t, then you will have to be honest with
yourself: the two of you may not be compatible after
all. In my experience too many people have forgotten
the simple truth that actions have consequences, and
that if those actions are conscientiously undertaken
we simply have to live with those consequences. But
cheer up; I am sure that with time you will make other
friends, and perhaps enter upon another relationship
with a partner with whom you are compatible. No use
crying over spilt milk…
Graham
‘
God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has
committed some work to me which He has not committed to
another. I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be
told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between
persons.
He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do His work.
I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while
not intending it if I do but keep His commandments.
Therefore, I will trust Him, whatever I am, I can never be thrown away. If
I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him, in perplexity, my perplexity
may serve Him. If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He does
nothing in vain. He knows what He is about. He may take away my
friends. He may throw me among strangers. He may make me feel
desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me. Still, He
knows what He is about.
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’
Bl John Henry Newman