Friends of God

A long time ago, a Jewish friend at university asked me what my first thought was on waking up.

"Coffee and a cigarette," I replied. "And yours?"

"I thank the Lord that I am a Jew."

Not so long ago, when I was working in a homelessness hostel in London and trying to learn Somali, I asked a young client, a Somali lady, how to say, "What a horrible day!" in Somali. It was pouring with rain.

"We would not say that," she replied.

"Why not?"

"Because every day is a gift from Allah and we should not insult it, but thank Him."

Our ears and minds must always be ready to hear the wisdom of others. They too can be friends of God and open to the Holy Spirit.

Do we wake up, thanking God for our Faith and the day to practise it in?

I often forget.