The Beach

What a fabulous day on the Moray coast with Flick and Greg! There is something so precious about being allowed to share in some of the innocent delight of a child discovering the beauties of God’s world. After jumping wildly over the waves as they lapped the shore, multiple times, Flick wanted to walk out to the boat moored off the coast, not realising that actually, the water there would be well over our heads. New horizons. New understandings.

We are all spiritual babies/toddlers/teenagers … maybe a few have reached their middle age spiritually but most of us are just waking up to the beauties of the supernatural world in which we live. Our naivete and innocence as we explore spirituality with Jesus must warm his heart. No wonder our Father longs to take us deeper into him, where he can laugh with us as we discover new horizons spiritually, as our understanding expands and our love grows.

We count ourselves blessed to have the health and strength and resources to enjoy the special grandchildren with whom we have been entrusted. Can’t wait to take Callan and Eliott to the beach, too.

The Geens are Ready

The geens are ready. Wild Scottish cherries. We’ve got trees all over the property and it’s always a race to see if we can harvest any before the pigeons commence their military-precision stripping of the trees!

A few years ago, we got enough to make a couple jars of the most delicious jam. It took two of us to skim because there is more stone than flesh on each cherry, but it was so so delicious.

Jesus said to be alert and to watch what’s going on around us. We’ve been watching those cherries and also further afield, though things aren’t so straightforward there. It is hard to understand exactly what is going on in the wider political world just now.

Even more reason to keep our eyes on Jesus while staying aware of current events. And staying on our knees. We want to get the cherries before the pigeons do.

Eternal Peace

Great weather is a great distraction, in every sense of that. With weeks of sunshine sans showers, our grass is brown and most of our usually-overgrown flower beds are weed-free. A new playhouse has been constructed and stands proudly in the corner of the garden having been inaugurated by happy grandchildren last week. We’ve been working hard in the sun but having fun in it too.

Meanwhile, more sedentary work has been ignored. Today, with a grey sky overhead and cooler temps, I plan to shift my attention, but feel slightly panicky that there is so much to do. Where do I begin? There is even more to do than I thought.

Jesus went to the cross focused on ‘the joy set before him’, not the pain of the cross. Not that I am facing a cross, but I pray that my focus today is on God, and that my perspective is eternal and not imminent.

Peace. Eternal peace.

The Joy of Children

‘For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord.’ Because he is a good, good God, his plans are great.

Looking back through old photos last night. Reliving the years of joy from raising four beautiful kids. The fun of pirate parties. The thrill of West Coast sails… The summers at Tarbert. The Christmas mornings and the new babies, puppies, kittens.

It went by so fast. In a blur. We took one step at a time, living day by day, and all the time, God knew the plans he had for these four wonderful babies he’d entrusted to us. Praise him that he was always there, during good times and challenging ones, and that despite us, and because of him, these kids grew up to be world-changers.

Such a privilege to raise children.

And now we have the fun of interacting with their children. Feeling like we have more time to be intentional in how we interact, and perhaps more of a positive influence. And yet, knowing that our clumsy efforts and words can often get in the way of something better.

Still grateful that God knows the plans he has for these little ones. That they are destined to be world-changers. Such a privilege to be their grandparents. Such a joy.

Your Kingdom Come

The wonders of technology! A sweet friend sent me an animated e-card for the 4^th of July. As the fireflies swirl round an iconic American farmhouse, red/white/blue flags and decorations appear on the porch. The fireflies move on to a pastoral scene and then to a southern style mansion, with more bunting, more flags, and now people waving and cheering as fireworks explode overhead.

I’ve felt patriotic in a heart-broken way of late, grieving for the USA I knew as a child, which I now see I saw only in part.

Only God is holy. Only God is perfect. May his kingdom come, his will be done on earth – the whole earth – as it is in heaven. Amen.

Lost

‘Have you seen my tape measure?’

No. But in a few minutes I’d located it, right where he was working. He couldn’t see the forest for the trees.

Yesterday it was his glasses. I found them in the strawberry patch. Well, now I know what happened to some of those beautiful berries…

Jesus tells a story of a woman who lost one of her precious coins, and she tore the house apart until she found it. He tells a story of a lost sheep, and the shepherd who wouldn’t rest until he’d found her. And the story of the lost son, who strayed into a dissolute life but who his father never stopped looking for. When he saw the son on the horizon, headed home, he ran to embrace and celebrate his return.

None of us is so lost that Jesus can’t find us.

A barb in the blessing?

Loving the sun. Bring it on! Blazing out of a clear blue sky, day after day, week after week, into our second month.

There was a flash of rain a couple weeks back. Overnight. All soaked up and gone, now. Well, we sprinkle the rasps and strawberries, lettuce and roses and tatties and kale, with water every day, a pleasant enough task given the ease of a hose connected to the mains, and no water shortage.

However.

On our walk this morning, Mary and I ran into the farmer. He and his son were considering the cattle in the field. The field of stunted grass which isn’t growing. He looked across at the field of silage, the field of silage which isn’t growing. And together they were wondering what to do.

Some farmers are taking the cattle indoors and buying in food to fatten them up quickly. Maybe, our farmer thought, maybe we’ll need to bring in some of the young ones and do that.

Is there a barb in every blessing?

Perhaps I should start praying for an overnight shower tonight…