Realising potential

On study leave last year, I spent some time in Charlotte, North Carolina, looking at team ministry. Our wonderful hosts were from Sardis Presbyterian church. This sign greeted us when we visited and I vowed it would become a part of my home church philosophy. We Scots are good at putting each other down and of finding reasons why we can't do things rather than ways around perceived obstacles. Some nine months further on there is a glimmer that Inverkip church might be ready to move on, to stop resting on its 800 year history and look to the future with an air of excitement and expectation. If we expect little of God, our prophecies are self fulfilling. If, however we see endless possibility, we can achieve anything. Here's to a future filled with possibilities.

Moving on

The young - and some not so young creators of these masterpieces are finished for the day. They have downed tools and gone off to have fun elsewhere. Come the next tide, their efforts will be washed away.

I think I am learning, albeit slowly, that some things in life would benefit from the same kind of treatment. Enjoyment for a time but moving on with no regrets.

There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven..

Ecclesiastes 3

Even in the small every day things of life, wouldn't it be good to be able to read the signs, discern what is important and worth hanging on to and be able to discard the rest with abandonment? The abandonment of knowing that there is another day, another beach, another work worth throwing ourselves into.

Life's a beach

This is how I believe Sunday afternoons should be spent - on a beach in splendid isolation.

More usually, Sunday afternoons find me hospital visiting, ironing or napping. But there have been enough of these totally decadent Sundays to convince me that this is how it should be and to provide me with good memories when its not possible.

Perfection or potential?

We have a new bubble "thingy" to play with. It makes huge, tunnel like bubbles that are great fun. Weather conditions were great for bubble play today - not too much sun, a little breeze. I discovered a short time ago that bubbles involve lots of science. Some folk have studied long and hard to get just the right mix and they also insist on the right environmental factors. I'm happy to leave all that science to others and simply have fun. I've always seen great potential in a splash of soapy mix, a puff of wind and a little imagination. There are those who create and perfect and those who simply enjoy. When it comes to bubbles, I'll be one of the enjoyers.

Left out

This little fellow didn't look too happy - all on his own, different from the rest of the herd.
Tonight I was visiting in the village. I happened to look out of the window of the home I was visiting just as two of my good buddies passed. I thought they were off to our favourite hostelry without me.
I decided I could either wonder why they hadn't asked me to go with them or - I could go and find out. So, when I had finished work, I rushed home for something to eat and then joined them. It turned out that when I saw them pass they were in fact just on their way to the local primary school to cast their vote. (We're having a local election) They hadn't intended stopping off at the hotel but, on the way back, they did succumb. So I hadn't been left out after all. Tonight reminded me that you can't get away with anything in our village!
But things aren't always as they appear.

A kind of clearing

Early morning light trickles through the densely packed trees. There's a bit of a clearing. Enough for the light to gain a hold - a place to dapple and reflect. A place to view the sky.

In a tightly packed life, where perspective becomes narrowed, we need those places of clearing. Places where light can be filtered and examined, admired for its dappling and its reflection. Then, having taken our bearings, we can re- engage with the intensity, knowing that there is relief near at hand, possibilities to be explored, different views to behold. We can leave the safety of the clearing and submerge ourselves for a little bit longer, until the trees thin out and we can see our way again.

Cool waters

As they pass through the dry valley it becomes a place of springs... Psalm 84

I tried to trace the source of this spring - mainly because it looked so inviting - so cool and refreshing. But I just couldn't figure out where all this water originated that poured out of the rock. I was wary that it might not be as good as it looked or that it might be contaminated by its passage through the land.

Sometimes its right to be wary, not to dive in. But other times call for trust and a certain amount of abandonment. Risking reward.

When the valley is dry maybe we have to seek out the springs and simply enjoy - recognising gifts of refreshment.