I received today the first photographs of my windows for St. Alban’s Church in Shrivenham, as they approach completion. This has been an odd experience, because it has not often been the case that I have had to hand over a piece of my work and entrust it to somebody else to complete it. My first response is to notice that the colours are not exactly the ones in my original art work. That is to be expected, of course, because the glass craftsman is dependent upon the colours of glass that can be obtained through the trade. He has done a magnificent job rendering the camouflage patterns on the uniforms of the soldiers, but I do need to meditate on the whole effect before deciding what I think of it all. I’m very aware that first responses can need to be modified on reflection.
We have an Allcock family prayer, which seems appropriate on this occasion. “Lord, help me to keep my big mouth shut until I know what I’m talking about.” Look first: then (perhaps) commit to words.
That is a great prayer. I remember many years ago I was asked to chair a session of an international conference in Warsaw. I was acutely aware of the shortage of time, and the presence in the panel of some rather garrulous eastern European colleagues. In my opening remarks I offered this prayer as a useful guide to participation. It was received with acclamation, and I believe that it did have the desired effect. That seems a lifetime away.