Thirty Years: a Milestone

 

Thirty years ago, we welcomed a lovely family fleeing from the war in Bosnia to stay with our family, swelling the numbers from six to ten. Last night we celebrated that milestone with the Bosnians who stayed and settled here in Scotland. They sang songs and danced dances they knew from those days before the war. They laughed and we all shed a tear or two. Some have moved back; some have moved on; some have passed away. Children are now grown up into fine young women and men in their 30s and 40s. New children have been born.

Lyubisha took the mic and spoke eloquently, voicing thanks for the welcome Scotland extended to them. Don took the mic and spoke eloquently, too, voicing the truth that they impacted our lives and our children’s lives in immeasurable ways, profound ways. Their impact is reverberating still in some of the social justice causes each of our children has embraced.

It was one of the best things we ever did.

There have been other waves of refugees since, and now the Ukrainians displaced by this war. We thank God that somehow life continues, day follows night, laughter comes in the morning. There are always others eager to extend a helping hand, to open a welcoming door, to pull chairs up round a dinner table.

We are the family of God. We are all God’s children. May I never grow too weary to open my heart and open my door. May my ear always be open to hear their stories, and my heart open to their cries.

I will never leave you, Jesus promises. Whatever faces me, may I keep that promise in the forefront of my heart.

Second-best?

 

The Chinese (Japanese?) rowan tree stands bare, denuded of her pearly berries already. A team of blackbirds have feasted on them, ignoring the birdfeeders stuffed with nuts and seeds. They rejected the good to partake in the best.

May I never be so quick to accept the good that I miss out on the best. Sometimes it takes patience and perseverance to realise our dreams, to step into our call, to achieve our goal. There is blessing in the waiting.

Wild Wind

 

The wind is wild but the temperature is mild.

Suitably attired, Mary and I headed out on our normal route. For awhile we were sheltered by a stand of trees, and though we watched grey clouds scoot across the sky, the wind didn’t touch us. Then we passed the first substantial stand of trees. Blasts of blustering air slapped our faces and tore at our hats. We leaned into it, determined to complete our usual walk.

Slipping in and out of the sheltering stands of trees, we reached the end of the road and turned. Ah, we laughed. Now the wind was at our backs and we were propelled forwards. Easy. The wind was no longer an enemy but a friend.

When life slaps us in the face, it’s good to lean in and push forward. There will be times of refreshment, times of sheltering, times of rest. When people slap us in the face, it’s good to remember they might be outside of their sheltering stand of trees: they might be in a place of pain or vulnerability. It’s good to draw on the grace of the Lord and forgive. One day we might find we are both being blown in the same direction by the wind of the Spirit. And with them, we will laugh.

Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Like Jesus, let’s keep our eyes on what lies beyond the cross: everlasting life in Christ.

 

No Free Lunch

 

There’s no such thing as a free lunch, my dad used to caution.

I picked up an eye lotion I use for dry eyes this morning from the pharmacy. She recognised I usually get it on prescription. I explained I would be away for a couple of weeks so wanted an extra to take with me. She put it into the computer and I got it, as I get all prescriptions, free.

Well, I say free, but of course I’ve paid into the system over the years. The NHS is a system which is tough to maintain, but the idea is that anyone who needs medicine or care can get it, whether or not they have the means to pay for it. Some need more than others, obviously. Is that fair?

I think of the story Jesus told about the workers who were outraged because those who started work a few hours after they did still received the same wages. It isn’t fair, they felt. The employer explained they still received their agreed wage; they only felt aggrieved because they compared themselves to others.

In God, there is such a thing as a free lunch. A free life, actually. Because Jesus lived and died for us and rose to eternal life, he freely gives us his Spirit who enables us to live the life he calls us to live.

I just have to give him my life, and he gives me his.

No, it’s not fair. I am so grateful.

Late Autumn

 

Most of the trees are denuded, bare branches exposed. I’ve gathered and bagged thousands of leaves, left to mould and enhance the soil. But still there remain hillocks and swirls of once golden leaves, now beginning to decay into slimy mounds. This is the autumn detritus Doug has always disliked.

I love autumn for the magnificent rich colours and bursts of vibrant glory. Now, as the symphony of colour quietens, drifts to the ground and turns slippy and black, I’m not such a fan.

And so, too, with human seasons. There is a glory and a peace in those who live long. A wisdom and a contentment. Until long years overwhelm the senses, the health, and the mind. Watching and waiting then becomes a grief of conflicting emotions and prayers. I turn my eyes to the hills. My help is in the name of the Lord.

For all those whose years exceed their health, I pray for peace and the powerful presence of God. I pray that those whose perceptions are dimming on many fronts would be stirring spiritually, sensing the springtime of the spirit.

There is a hope deep in every believer, a blessed assurance that in Jesus all is well. All will be well. Amen.

The Glory of God

 

The heavens declare the glory of God. They cannot be muted, even on a day like today, when thick grey clouds hang low and heavy, when rain slashes the air. We need the rain. Thank you, Lord.

May I declare the glory of God in all I do and am and say today. May I not be muted, even if things aren’t exactly as I would want. God works everything out for good; he never stops loving and never leaves us to navigate our paths alone.

So grateful, even on a grey Monday morning.

Sabbath Time

 

The clocks have ‘fallen back’ here in the UK. It’s easy enough to change all the clocks (except in the cars!!!), but it’s more challenging to change my body clock. I’m thinking dinner an hour before I should be, and same with bedtime.

So much of what we do is determined by outside, artificial factors. Often it has to be; if we are to have any social interaction, we need to all be adhering to the same clock.

I wonder if that’s one thing we should/could relax when we take sabbath rest. Whichever day that is. Would it not be a relief to be emancipated from the tyranny of time for one day a week, and move to our own rhythm?

I wonder if God had that in mind as an aspect of sabbath? After all, he lives outside of time. Maybe there is a sense in which there is real relief in just embracing freedom from clock-watching, even if only for a few hours? (I’m laughing – obviously then I’ll have to watch the clock if it’s ‘only for a few hours’, so I know when my freedom is over!)

Just a thought.

Where's my ... ?

 

‘Where’s my …?’  ‘Have you seen my …?’ ‘What happened to the …?’

If you’re not someone who habitually returns items to where they belong, it becomes imperative to be intentional in remembering where you put it down. There is nothing more time-wasting than searching everywhere for a tool or other object.

In my experience, searching for lost items can lead to crankiness, chilling the atmosphere and challenging joy.

It was my mother – and maybe yours – who used to say, ‘A place for everything and everything in its place.’ Google tells me Mom took it from Benjamin Franklin.

God put eternity in the heart of humans. He hasn’t misplaced it, though many don’t know it’s there.

May I be given the wisdom and discernment to help others to find their deepest longing: God.