Andrew's View

Andrew Robertson, BD (Hons) 2006

"Andrew's View" is the first of what has turned out to be three books of short religious inspirational stories and poems which all started back in the autumn of 2007, when my Church Elder delivered a copy of the quarterly Parish Magazine from Blackbraes and Shieldhill Parish Church near the town of Falkirk. She happened to mention that day, how great it would be if everyone would send a little article in, even if it was just a few words about themselves or their faith.

Previous to this, I had written many short stories and poems about events that had influenced my life for my own enjoyment, basically just to cheer me up if I was sad. It was then that I realised that one of the biggest things that has changed my outlook on life was my faith and yet up until then, I had never written about it. I had never thought to explore or write about the times that God has influenced me, touched me and often rescued me with infinite patience and a sense of humour thrown in. I promised her I would write a small story about my faith for the next magazine which would be out at Christmas.

When the magazine finally came out, I got a big surprise. While we were enjoying a nice cup of coffee after the service, a lady came up to my table, clutching a copy of the magazine with a very serious look on her face. I thought "Oops... she's going to tell me, 'Don't even think about writing any more articles, thank you!'" But when she did arrive, what she said touched my heart.

She told me she had been moved to tears by what I had written and it had really touched her and made her day. I felt so thrilled and at the same time so humbled. I am so grateful to her because she gave me the courage and confidence to write a second story and it received a similar response.

A few stories later, I was asked to write a regular column called “Drew’s View” for the magazine and later, my minister and several members of the congregation suggested I should collate all the stories and poems into a book. I had great fun doing just that and this is the result.

ISBN: 978-1364799526