Today, we hear sad accounts of service personnel being afflicted with mental problems once they are discharged. One of the most thrilling parts of John H. Wyndham's story is his "changed mental outlook" with his return to civilian life (The Ultimate Freedom, p. 74). This change was a positive one as he pondered the options that lay ahead.
He "waited for some new idea to come to [him]" (ibid). And ideas came!
Beautiful ideas. After the desolation of the war years, he found he "just could not stop beautifying" (p. 75). He writes that it "appears to be a law that if we improve what we have to the utmost, we inevitably rise to higher achievements" (ibid).
In his next roles, we discern his burning desire to learn, to develop and expand his talents, and to be a blessing as he, and later his colleagues, strove for the common good. It was proved that "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy).
Here is another discovery Mr. Wyndham shares with his readers: "there is a law of God which supports every normal human footstep for improvement and progress" (p. 87).
Can you imagine the transformation of his workplace's drab, old-fashioned reception room into one which "was a glory of colour and beauty, with new desks, built in seats for clients, and a large coloured illuminated mural of an orchard in blossom" (p. 89)?
I've just googled "orchard in blossom" and found the most glorious painting by Vincent van Gogh. Maybe the mural looked as spectacular as this painting! (Sorry, copyright does not allow me to reproduce it here.😢)
Ah, this precious little book is such an inspiration every time I open it!
Julie Swannell
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