Buon Camino!

Surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, Paul writes. Witnesses cheering us on. Life is a pilgrimage but we don’t go it alone. Jesus is true to his promise, that he never leaves our side. How amazing is that? Like the disciples headed for Emmaus, we don’t always recognise him but if we take the time to engage with that stranger next to us today, on the bus, in the waiting room, at the school gate, we might just catch a glimpse of him.

And then there is the community of saints: family, friends and other believers we fellowship with in church and Bible studies, prayer groups and FB groups. Cheering each other on. Sharing burdens, supporting in prayer, travelling with us in spirit.

Then there’s that cloud of witnesses, which I take to be the saints that have gone on ahead, round the corner and further in to Jesus’ presence. Out of sight, but somehow aware of our journeys. Praying us forward.

May the Lord bless each reader who so kindly cheers me on through the blog. Though I am not very good at acknowledging ‘likes’, I do notice and am encouraged. Thank you.

As  they say in Spain, Buon Camino!

Backpacks and Dodgy Knees

Backpacks and sleeping bags at the ready. Wardrobe carefully thought out. Prayerful approach to pilgrimage. Looking good to go … except …

Bodies aren’t co-operating. Colds and coughs that have lingered for weeks and refuse to shift. Now a dodgy knee. Physio tomorrow. Help!

Preparation is everything, and it’s easy to overlook a part of the prep which turns out to be critical.

Paul advises we train ourselves spiritually, that we are well-prepped for eternity. It’s easy to overlook some things which turn out to be critical.

Nutritious

Fresh orange, lemon and good Scottish honey. I’ve been told that honey is often adulterated with other products of dubious quality, so it’s worth the extra £s for the good stuff.

There have been some nasty bugs around this winter, tenacious little guys who don’t want to let go and who, just when you think you have them licked, keep staging a comeback. Don continues to cough and I am determined not to give those bugs in me a foothold.

So I’m working with my body. Feeding it plenty of good nutritious produce and encouraging it to fight back.

Good nourishment is important for health. Spiritual as well as physical.

Signal Strength is Great

Signal strength for our mobiles is erratic at best, non-existent usually, in our home. But today we had to use the mobile to call and renew, or renegotiate, our contract. It’s not quite as daunting as phoning for broadband help, but still presents a challenge to baby boomers.

Having identified a square near the window in the study where one of the phones had a signal, we made the call. After the usual filtering by a computerised receptionist and the obligatory ‘music’ whose sole purpose, I think, is to reassure you that you are still connected, we spoke to Aneesha. She tried to sell us more data and popped us through to an upgrade salesgirl, Lindsey, at which point we lost the signal and were disconnected.

We started again, this time connecting with Katy who assured us we could just renew what we already had, for the same price and same loyalty discount. It seems the choices vary depending on the operator you get.

That’s the great thing about God. Signal strength is always good, no matter where in the world you are. He is always the same, for everyone. He doesn’t change his mind, or give one of his children a better deal than another. He loves every one equally, stands by each one and never abandons anyone. There is no need to renegotiate a contract every year.

Sign up with God and you’ll never want to change eternity providers.

Soles or Soul?

Which part of the pilgrimage is going to be more critical – the state of my soul or the state of my soles? Appointment with a podiatrist – that’ll be a first for me and I’m not looking forward to it because I have been blessed with extremely ticklish feet…

I don’t think there is a podiatrist for the soul, who can trim off the callouses which may deafen me to the cries of the weak, cushion the tender spots where previous hurts have made me over-protective and unwilling to be vulnerable, and tidy up any neglected nails of errant belief or arrogant opinion.

I guess that is what a pilgrimage could be all about, if I give God free rein. I sense there could be some pain in this, but it’s sure to be better for me in the long run. Right?

Three WRI Ladies

Three lovely WRI (Women's Rural Institute) ladies from the top of Scotland stayed with us last night. They came in late in the evening, sporting colourful, complicated-looking handknit sweaters. They’re off to compete against other WRI bowling teams today, hoping for victory and to take home the cup and not the wooden spoon.

Listening to their voices last night as they laughed and talked over tea and shortbread was a delight. One might think that after six hours in a car together, they would have exhausted every possible topic of conversation. But no. There were times when I clearly heard two voices speaking, though only three ladies were there. Who was the hapless listener, trying to follow two conversations at once?

How on earth does God handle all the competing voices? How does he follow our fears and delights, our anguish and our joy, not only participating but also guiding and consoling and encouraging?

We do indeed have a wonderful God. What a wonderful name it is, the name of Jesus. The heavens are roaring, for Jesus is alive, no rival, no equal: He reigns. I am so grateful.

Blood is Thicker than Water

They say that blood is thicker than water. Just back from a regular blood test to ensure mine isn’t too thick, which can and has caused problems in the past. So grateful for the NHS.

One of the signs that Jesus was really dead was that the spear thrust into his side, while he still hung on the cross, caused an emission of blood and water which had separated. I understand this is a sign that a body sustains life no longer.

Jesus did die. Yet he lives again: I know that because without his strength sustaining me, there are many situations in my life which would cause me to buckle. He reminds me that he is there, alongside, holding the reins, and all I need do is accept his gifts of life, love, peace and joy, and relish the journey.

The separation of his blood at his death shows that Jesus was, indeed, human like us. The presence of him, by his Spirit, in my daily life shows me that he is, indeed divine. So glad that we are all part of his family. Blood is thicker than water.