My old Saturday routine was to walk up the Trail and visit the shops on the way back. Today I tried something similar, though outward by a different route, and trying to minimise the number of shops (not so successful).
It was a lovely early morning of sunshine and showers. But because I needed the pharmacy to be open, I went a bit later and there were already lots of people about on a fair Saturday morning. When I got to Tesco (I was hoping not to have to), there were quite a few people in, and the juice area was blocked by shelf stacking operations, as it has been several times before. The juice is next to the booze, and I reckon they must be selling huge amounts of alcohol. I wouldn’t fancy being cooped up at home with someone who’s been drinking a lot.
God, we pray for people
stuck at home with men
who are drunk, violent or abusive.
May they find the safety
and fair treatment they deserve.
And it troubles us to know
that this is not far from any one of us,
down our street, in our church family,
in the people at work or the Post Office queue.
God, have mercy.