Chaplain’s Easter message
Happy Easter from us all at Wigan Warriors!
Here is a message from our club chaplain, Glen Rickard:
A time for hope – take heart!
Be hopeful. Who would have predicted a year like we have just had! The future is impossible to predict. Some have tried.
In 1962 Decca Recording Company rejected the Beatles. They said: “We don’t like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out”.
In 1977 Ken Olson, chairman of Digital Equipment Co., said: “There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home”.
I discovered these comments recently and laughed! I must therefore encourage you to be hopeful about the future as we roll into spring and summer 2021. I’m told that 90% of what we worry about never happens. Go on, I dare you to stop worrying about the future! I had four hospital visits during January and had myself dead and buried. I even began to think about my own funeral service! But, despite my wife’s prayers I’m still here! I might not be, however, if I attempt to do anything in her garden without express permission! (She read this and said “you are dead right mate”). So be hopeful, even set a new dream. The famous writer C S Lewis said: “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream”.
Be inspired. If you are reading this you have come through one of the toughest years this century. Though few have come through without loss of some kind. If you are suffering loss my heart goes out to you and we at the Club extend our deepest condolences. Loss is deeply painful. However, if you have lost someone (Covid related or not), allow their memory to inspire you. Live for them. When you look back, remember the happy times, celebrate good memories. Hear the words of encouragement that they would want to say to you. “Go on lad, keep gooin!”
Whatever your loss don’t let it define your future. Set yourself milestones. Something to look forward to. An upcoming birthday or family event. The Warriors’ first match that can be attended by all. I’m having double pie at half-time!
Be a blessing. Be an encouragement to those around you. Watch your words. Cut yourself and others some slack. Speak words of life and encouragement and not death. Sometimes we have to catch ourselves and change our thinking so that we breathe life and not death to those close to us. Reach out this Easter, particularly to the elderly who love to hear from you and may need help. Be encouraged to go out of your way to help and encourage those close to you. We all need each other at this time. It’s nice to be nice.
The hope of Easter. Easter is a special time for Christians who believe that “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”. My own experience is that Jesus brings life now (hope, inspiration and blessing) and a hope beyond this life. After all, there has to be more to life than double pie at half-time!
Glen Rickard, club chaplain
