A couple of months ago Kev and I took the plunge and joined the gym.
We'd looked at a few places and in end the end picked the nicest (and most expensive) one. It's a bit of an extravagance but, as we have a cheap holiday lined up for this year, we decided the money would come from the holiday budget. We have friends who were already members and they'd convinced us it was like being on holiday all year.
There were two things in particular that 'sold' it to us
- the facilities and activities for kids - it really is 'family friendly' and
- the heated indoor and outdoor pools.
We've had plenty of use from the outdoor pool these last few weeks. And when the sun shines, the water looks like this.
It's warm enough to use even when it's not very sunny and you get the best of both worlds. Outside, at one with nature - grass and trees, blue sky, birds and a gentle breeze. And crystal-clear, warm water that comes from an artificial (but highly efficient) filtration, heating and chlorination system.
And I'm 'blessed' every time I swim - thanking God for the beauty of the sun on the water and the efficiency of the water heater.
It's rare to have more than a couple of people in at once and several times I've had the whole pool to myself.
But not so this Bank Holiday Monday.
The club had a 'free' weekend. People brought friends and family along to enjoy the freebie - and we did too.
So the pool and patio area were very busy. It was noisy, the adult-only Jacuzzi was full of kids and the clear water was looking more opaque than crystal .
On Tuesday, as I was on my own again in the pool enjoying the peace and the somewhat clearer water, I decided that I prefer ed the exclusivity.
But that's a bit selfish really - I don't need a whole pool to myself.
And there's something a bit sad about a pool designed for lots of people to enjoy having only one person in it. On Monday there were lots of people there - having lots of fun.
Of course the whole purpose of the 'free' weekend is to get new people to pay to join the gym. And no matter how much I like swimming on my own, the gym will not be viable if there are not enough people 'investing' in keeping it open.
Have you worked out where I'm going with this?

Do we want to keep our Church 'clean and tidy' - untroubled by people who don't know the rules?
Or are we willing to throw open the doors and learn to live with the literal and metaphorical mess?
I have to admit that sometimes I just want the exclusivity - but I know that's not what we were designed for and ultimatly, it's not a viable strategy.