The Community Role

It was Christmas Eve and Mrs McGill called to see the ladies at the local church community . It was about time to get things ready for the carols at the lake . A small crowd had already gathered in the hall to organize the hymn books , candles , and instruments for the band .

Mrs McGill was one of those pillars of the church and had been for 25 years of her life . After her husband died she had become very involved with her local church and community .
She was it . The person behind the scene . The bee in every ones ear and the visit in every household . Some say her visits should have been not so often and for not as long .
In a quarter century many reverends had come and gone but Mrs McGill had always remained , the pillar of the church . She had seen many things happen good and bad , She had been involved with many weddings , funerals , school events and Christmas by candlelight events down by the lake .
She was always encouraged by the community to keep them going .
For Mrs McGill had a reputation and a place in the community .
Each Christmas the carols had always been her big thing . The turn out numbered about a thousand and with tea and cake afterwards it was always a big occasion .
So a few of the women were standing talking and watching Mrs McGill who was on her way to load up the van outside the hall . Suddenly Mrs McGill stumbled with an armful of hymn books . All of a sudden she began to fall . Mrs Murphy ran over and tried to catch her but it was no use , she hit the ground hard .

Mrs McGill lay there still .
She couldn’t answer when asked questions and a few of the women started to say a few prayers .

Mrs Murphy screamed ,
“Would somebody go ring an ambulance .”
“You’ll not get one , its Christmas Eve .”
“Just do what I tell you . Ring an ambulance “
Mrs Murphy said .

Mrs Tilly replied .
“What are we going to do now .The carols are supposed to be starting in under an hour ? “

Mrs Murphy looked in astonishment and said .

‘The show must go on Mrs Tilly . So you’ll have to fill in this evening .”
Mrs Tilly looked shocked and said ,
“But I’ve never done that before .”
Mrs Murphy smiled and replied
“Well then , it will be a first for you won’t it ?”
An ambulance just happened to be passing by was waved down by the ladies . The driver got out and said ,
“What’s the problem . I was just on my way to the lake for the carols .”
“Its Mrs McGill she’s had a fall .”
Said Mrs Murphy .
After a brief assessment was made Mrs McGill was taken away by the ambulance . All the ladies of the community stood and waved goodbye to the ambulance as their leader and role model was sent off unconscious to hospital .
Now Mrs Murphy got involved with the other ladies .
The numbers at the lake this year had grown so much that there was no empty space left to accommodate another .
Its wonderful to see it but how things occur when you least expect it .
Sometimes in life its enough to make you laugh and other times cry but at times like this all there was time to get things ready for singing carols and handing out candles .
There was a large group of handicapped people there at the lake this year and that required some extra attention .
Innocence is a harmless beauty that has had a effect on everybody .
Some of the handicapped were already singing long before the concert began . Its always the case that God loves those who are eager .
Then as the band tuned up their instruments the carols by candlelight began .
All around the lake that night was a lot of activity . Underneath the starry sky , some people came dressed up for the part . Shepherds , angels and Kings . It really brought a wonderful Christmas presence to the place .

In the night spaces , lit up candles shimmered and the sound of singing echoed all around , serenading together in the evening air .
The small orchestra played aloud , to young and old in the crowd
Soon everybody knew it would be Christmas day .
In the hospital Mrs McGill had recovered from her fall and was having a beautiful silent night .

There was no regret about having the fall and if anything she realizes that maybe it was time for her to let go a little of her control over such functions .

In the hospital bed she had time to reflect rather that be involved with things and she realized that for too long she had been Mrs It in the community .

God had spoke to her that Christmas and after soon after Mrs McGill took up a back seat in the community .
She even got to listen more and watch younger ladies in the community get involved more . Yes life has a way of telling you in different ways about being appreciated .

The End