The other Sunday I found myself answering some questions in response to Anne’s talk at The Five (the five o’clock service here at St Barnabas). They were quite thought provoking and reminded my husband of a story he had heard.

A lady died in a village. She had lived in poverty all her life struggling to survive on her meagre income. As her house was being cleared someone noticed what looked like a picture on the wall but on closer inspection it appeared to be a title deed to a large estate nearby. The lady had worked on the estate for many years and endeared herself to the owner. When the landlord died he left her his estate, including house and grounds and the staff required to maintain them.

This lady was so proud of the document given to her that, in memory of her dear friend, she had had it framed, not realizing what it meant. She was illiterate and no one had explained the purpose of the paper.

It got me thinking about my own life and whether I live in God’s kingdom enjoying all the benefits of being his daughter. Or am I like the old lady, still living in my past, struggling to survive day by day, not fully appreciating my inheritance in God?

I would hope it was the former but sometimes I sink back into my familiar past, preferring rags to riches! How about you?