Psalm 30, 32
The nearest branch of my favourite Belgian grocery store is in Tubize. I was in Tubize one day and wanted to buy a birthday card for my Dutch friend. I went into every card shop but could only find cards in French. Now Tubize is about 2 kilometres from the border with Flanders, the Flemish speaking part of Belgium. Another day Becky and I were in the supermarket, as usual talking away in our mother tongue and there was quite a bit of nudge nudge "Des anglaise" from the other customers. Tubize has a reputation for being a 'has been sort of place', that is if it ever was 'a place'. It is an ex-ironworks town. Derelict ironworks, a mausoleum to a bygone more prosperous era, dominate the entrance to the town.
We go to Tubize because it is convenient. It is not the place to where anglophones or even residents of Ittre gravitate. But we have had cause to use its amenities twice in a crisis. The policestation when our car was broken into and my handbag stolen and yesterday we tried out the Emergency Room as I had a fish bone stuck in my throat. The service was fast, friendly and efficient even if we did have to muddle through in pigeon French on each occasion.
Fear of the reputation of Tubize might have prevented us from those 'rewarding' experiences.
Nathaniel seems such a normal guy with normal reactions. He says things as he sees them. In his arrogance he goes to meet Jesus. He is flabbergasted, almost speechless. He is impressed. he acknowledges that good can come from Nazareth. Sometimes God guides us into changing our opinion and it is painless, even exhilarating and encouraging.
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