I have had water on the brain recently, and not just because of the recent flooding in Suffolk, about which more next week. Before the inundation of Framlingham by a couple of days, I had made myself quite ill, temporarily, by sheer stupidity.
To cut a long story short, I had a metal water bottle that I take with me when we go walking. It was almost indestructible but also, it turns out, had a lip on the inside that would grow things not visible except on detailed inspection. The ensuing stomach eruption is not suitable for description here.
There is a lovely line in Beatrix Potter’s ‘The tale of the Flopsy Bunnies’ where Mrs McGregor calls her husband a ‘silly old man.’ Many years ago, I recall my grandmother addressing my otherwise respected grandfather in those terms and now, fifty years later, my granddaughter finds the phrase hilarious. I, meanwhile, find it quite endearing to be called a ‘silly old man’ by a three-year-old, but then if the cap fits…and fit it certainly did the other day. Everyone knows it is unwise to mess with hygiene where water is concerned, everyone, it seems, except this silly old man, who has learned his lesson now.
There is second much more serious lesson than a reminder to use a bottle brush diligently, which is to be thankful for plentiful, safe, clean drinking water in our country. I have never been caught out when travelling in less safe parts of the world while my complacency at home has taught me to be very thankful for what we have.
The provision of potable water is not a given in many parts of the world. Poor sanitation blights the lives of millions in places where water is scarce, where sanitation is rudimentary or after natural disasters. Next time you see me, think to yourself, ‘you silly old man,’ and say a prayer or send a donation to one of the charities working to improve the provision of safe water to those without it.
A prayer
Lord God, sometimes I take the most basic things for granted and grow complacent. Thank you for your grace that saves us from ourselves time and again. Help us never to lose sight of those less fortunate than we are and to stay focused on their needs for our practical and prayerful support. We pray for Jesus’s sake. Amen.