7 February 2026

The window cleaner visited today. We haven’t seen him for some time. There has been so much rain. There was rain today. Needs must. Things were different. He had no ladders. Instead there was a long yellow hose running up the side of the house.

I went out to see what was happening. Instead of ladders, the window cleaner has an exceedingly long hose with a long wiper attached. He has decided to hose down the upstairs windows. Others were following behind to clean the bottom windows as per usual.

The hose is attached to a tank of water in the van. The water has been purified of all impurities and simply runs off the window. Why? The window-cleaner was anticipating legislation which will forbid the use of ladders for upstairs windows. The legislation hasn’t been passed yet.

I admired two things about him. Firstly, his preparation. He was not waiting for legislation to be passed before he prepared himself for the necessary changes. He was taking steps now to avoid a crisis later on. He was no ostrich. He was embracing change timeously.

Secondly, his investment.  He sensed that changes  were coming ‘for a’ that’. His tanks and hose and maybe even his van were all newly  purchased. Change  involved new ways of operating and  therefore additional expense. It is all part of a new vision for his survival in the future.

The changes which are being effected within the Church have not been embraced with as much insight and foresight. Congregations could have prepared the ground by getting to know their neighbours or sharing resources rather than living independently and competitively. It takes courage to prepare for change and to invest in it!

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