Are you THE Wilberforce?

In the same way that I am often asked, "Are you related to THE Lloyd-Jones" (see Feb 24th post) lately poor Balloon Bird is being asked all the time, "Are you related to THE Wilberforce?" (Balloon Bird's real name, for those who are not familiar with his lineage, is Sir Wilberforce-Ping.)

He is forced (as am I) to say, "No" (since he doesn't care to lie any more than I do) but then he feels he must apologize--like me--and so because he says things in threes--he has to say it three times: "sorry, sorry, sorry".

Which is a bit embarrassing for him, he says.

But there is one good thing about it. (Which actually makes the question a fine compliment.) Because, just like me, Sir Wilberforce-Ping does have a glorious namesake: Sir William Wilberforce (1759-1833)--the heroic British abolitionist who is right now in the news because of the wondrous film Amazing Grace.

And Eric Metaxas has written the book Amazing Grace that goes along with it! He's a wonderful writer and (best of all) my wonderful friend.

Dydd Gwyl Dewi hapus!

Today is St David's Day. So, as I say: Dydd Gwyl Dewi hapus!

You know this of course, but for those of us like me, St David (seen here in a stained glass window from Jesus College, Oxford) is the Patron Saint of Wales from the 6th century who helped spread Christianity among pagan Celtic tribes of Western Britain and he only ate watercress and once stood in the middle of a lake up to his neck--but I don't remember why. He is famous for saying, "Gwnewch y pethau bychain" ("do the little things") but then proceeded to be canonized and do great big things.

But then didn't someone else say do not despise the day of small beginnings? Or you never go anywhere except one small step at a time.

I'm all for that. Hooray for St David! and Hooray for St David's Day! and Hooray for the little things!