They started seeing it here & there, then it appeared seemingly everywhere! What did this mean & who was doing it?

A mystery that wouldn’t be solved for 35 years!

I’m so glad you’re here my friend! Today we’ll be reflecting upon an interesting & thought provoking true story that I’m reading for Book Club at the moment.

But before we get into our reflection, let’s grab a cuppa, a treat & get comfy! I’ve grabbed a mug of Lady Grey tea & a slice of gf home baked Banana & Coconut bread.

As I write this post it’s cold here on the east coast of Australia & we’ve had some much needed Spring rains.

Exciting news

I also have some exciting news, my cute little great grandson has arrived, Colten Levi is his name.  Colten meaning strong & hardworking man of black coal & Levi meaning joined in harmony (a peacemaker).

The next generation of our family has begun. We have five generations living on planet Earth at the moment, such a blessing.

Now we have our cuppa’s in hand & are comfy let’s begin…

The Story

A little background, you may remember that I started a Book Club three years or so ago.

Although many of our original members have now moved away or are busy with family commitments we still have a core that remain.

It’s always lovely to gather over lunch to chat about a common subject, don’t you think?

Which we do once a month, at times I host our lunch here in my home or we meet up for a BYO picnic at the Waterfront depending on the weather & season.

The book we’re reading at the moment is about an Australian Solider, a WWI Veteran who although a humble & unassuming man has had a huge impact upon this nation.

The title of the Book is Mr Eternity; The Story of Arthur Stace by Roy Williams with Elizabeth Meyers *. It’s a biography of his life which started in the then slums of Sydney in 1885.

It’s a story of tragedy & triumph, which many stories are, but there’s one difference with this one & the title gives you a hint.

Nearing the last decade of his life it was revealed that he was in fact the mysterious & anonymous Mr Eternity since 1921!

This title had been given to him by the Press at the time as the word Eternity had been appearing in chalk or crayon on the sidewalks of the city & country towns in beautiful but distinctive cursive writing since that time.

In fact his unique ministry welcomed the new millennium in on New year’s Eve 2000, lighting up our famous Sydney Harbour Bridge with the word Eternity in his distinct handwriting after his death 33 years beforehand!

It’s a fascinating read in what God can do in a life that was born into poverty, domestic violence & who had also taken on the family curse of addiction that had lead to criminal activities until his war service.

But I’m not going to spoil the read for you by telling you all the twists & turns that this man’s life took which really are fascinating to read.

Especially in the way God worked in a life that society saw as having no or little hope of redemption after returning to the addiction of his former years on his return from the War.

The most thought provoking & encouraging thing

I think the most thought provoking aspect for me & the most encouraging event in this book is how God met with Arthur.

It’s thought provoking in that he had a very solitary experience with the Holy Spirit under a tree in a Park, not in the company or direction of any human but with the Holy Spirit alone.

And his story is also encouraging in how God had been slowly but surely working & intertwining His influencers in such amazing ways in Arthur’s life to get his attention before that most poignant event under the tree.

Which is something to remind ourselves when praying for loved ones, who may be choosing paths that are far from God’s Will for their lives.

Those who were children during that time, now senior citizens,  remember this man’s mysterious & anonymous ministry on the streets of Sydney & in many country towns of NSW, Australia.

But his ministry also reached far away places across the sea…by those who were impacted by this simple but most thought provoking ministry of Eternity.

Yes, it’s a great read, I highly recommend it. It’s a little slow & yes a little depressing in the beginning of the book for Arthur’s early life was very sad but stick with it as it really is very encouraging after those hard years.

Confirming the following scripture;

‘You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.’

Psalm 16:11 NTL

I’ll leave you with the following questions my friend;

What does the word Eternity mean for you?

&

Have you thought where you will spend Eternity?

My answers are Here.

Please feel free to share your answers in the comments below.

Maranatha,

Jennifer

You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook

Or in Prayer

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© 2023 Jennifer M. Ross, teawithjennifer.blog All Rights Reserved.  Photo by Studio Ten 

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* Disclaimer; I gain no remuneration for this book review in any form whatsoever.