REGULARS Team Talk

Sid, with family members, including Bob

qquick quiz 1 Who wrote the novel The Day of the Jackal? 2 Is the expression ‘et cetera’ Latin or Greek? 3 Who was the reigning monarch in Britain during

aANSWERS 1. Frederick Forsyth. 2. Latin. 3. King George V. 4. Will Davenport. 5. John Constable. 6. Cliff Richard. the First World War? What was the name of the clergyman investigator in the latest series of Grantchester? Which 19th-century artist painted The Hay Wain? Who had a No 1 hit in 1965 with the song ‘The Minute You’re Gone’? 4 5 6

Dad’s positive impact is still felt today

MY father returned from the war in May 1946. I was born in

February 1947. I have a special reason to thank God that the war ended when it did!

I was the second of four children and Sid, our dad, frequently managed to get our names mixed up, often going through all the names until he got the right one.

Sid had gone to the war a non-smoker but returned, like many soldiers, smoking quite a few a day. Mum wasn’t pleased, especially when she saw me, at three years old, picking up one of his discarded cigarettes. Not long after, he got his life’s values sorted out and became a Christian and an example to us all. We are grateful for our parents’ guidance and love.

His war stories were not about action but about his cheeky responses to his superiors. He had a winning way with people and, He was an it seems, could get away with anything. That winning way meant he had a great example to us rapport with others, and he used it to good effect in getting to know them. He was able to talk with ease about his faith. Fourteen years after his death, I still meet people who attribute their attendance at Salvation Army meetings to Sid’s unfaltering encouragement.

When I became editor of the War Cry in the 1980s, Sid started a paper round and supported my ministry back home. It was very affirming – and I realise that the personal confidence I enjoy comes straight from him (and Mum).

He wasn’t perfect. No one is. All parents get it wrong sometimes. Even now, if I think I could have done better as a father, I tell our eldest child: ‘Well, Nicola, I’m still practising. I’ve never been the father of a 50-year-old daughter before.’ (Sorry about the age info, Nik).

At the heart of everything, my father ensured I knew what Jesus said about his Father, God – how he knows our needs before we ask him, welcomes us home unconditionally when we go astray, and supplies strength for all kinds of problems if we will only ask. It has been well worth knowing – and passing on to our children.

Thanks, Dad.