i saw the Queen...

I strolled down to the docks this morning, and was joined by thousands of others who waited patiently for just a glimpse of the Queen of England. This was a big deal for me, as well as Gloucester. I'm in full support of our English heritage and royalty. Anyway, she sailed gracefully into the docks and back for a tour of Gloucestershire College and the new Quays development. There's lots of good bargains down there.

The Queens visit to the city makes sense of something I saw yesterday. Having dropped off my car at the garage, I walked along the canal into town. On the other side, I noticed this guy propping up a ladder and starting to paint a large wooden wall that made up some kind of derelict warehouse. The whole area is still being developed, and it puzzled me that he was painting something that is going to be pulled down sometime soon, as it wasn't really that bad a condition.

Amongst the crowds today I heard someone saying that there's been a lot of painting going on to make good what has been a little neglected, because the Queen was coming. This made me think - Jesus - the King of kings, will come again. And is, in many ways, already here. we have to present to him even the things that are a working progress. Sometimes we neglect things in our lives, because we know they need a complete overhaul. But, just like the old warehouse, if royalty is coming, it can't be ignored. We have to offer all to Jesus, openly and humbly. We come to our to him just as we are. It also made me realise that sometimes simple and boring tasks are still worthwhile. They help make us fit for our King. They make way for his coming.

On my way home, I walked the same route. There the guy was just about to finish the last bit, having been there the whole entire day. I took the picture below. I admired his perseverance and commitment to the task. But, I didn't realise that he was preparing the way for the Queen to come in. And, it's not the first slogan you'd give the image is it?! Interesting...