Being present

The wildlife around here is pretty amazing. Seeing all sorts of creatures I don't have names for. Yesterday we walked alongside the highway (not done around here) and saw an amazing array of birds living in marshland right beside all the speeding traffic. Most fok are unaware off the presence of such beauty in their midst. That applies to wildlife - and to the people we meet every day - every one of them created in God's image.

Shooting the breeze

Been hanging out at this place, just enjoying the company of a sister and soul mate before we join the rest of the revgals on the cruise. Looking out over the water where the fish keep jumping. I'm sure there is a scientific reason why the fish jump out of the water but I like to think it is just their natural exuberance. Happy fish!

Meenisters and boats

I'm finally getting around to thinking about Study Leave  - which begins this Thursday. I'm heading out to Tampa, Florida to meet up with 40 women ministers who are part of Rev Gal Blog Pals, an online lectionary forum and support network that I've been part of for the past few years. We are embarking on a cruise and studying together Reframing Hope with author Carol Howard Merrit. Para Handy would be birling in his grave at the thought of so many ministers on the one boat! And women at that! Who would have thought that, after years of sharing struggles and supporting each other with the texts week by week, I'd get the chance to meet up in real life with some of these colleagues whom I feel I know so well?
And, it was a bonus to discover David Tennant (aka Dr Who) in this clip of the old series about the Scottish puffer The Vital Spark and her crew.

Too busy not to!

My study leave begins on Thursday. There simply aren't enough hours between now and then to do all that must be done before I leave - preaching, praying, teaching, praying, cooking, praying, shopping, praying, packing, praying.... At times like these it is so important that prayer doesn't get squeezed out of the picture.
As well as being built up by spending time with God, I have also been conscious this week of being emptied - not because God isn't interested in all the frenetic activity but because God is skilled at creating space within us to take on more and, in the silence and stillness, God speaks and directs and achieves what, in the whirlwind, seems impossible.
It's a relief to know that God doesn't require us to retreat before we can be refueled (though I LOVE retreats) but that God is also skilled at taking our overstuffed lives and pouring grace in to settle in all the nooks and crannies.
The image in my head this morning is of an over full suitcase (not that I've even started packing yet) that God will skilfully rearrange so that there is still room for what is important.

Notes of change

I heard the sound of Spring today

in the middle of town

above the noise of the traffic

on the busy road

birdsong rose high above all else

Not the rough call of the crow

or the battle cry of the magpies

but the clear, sweet song 

of birds preparing to nest

busy with activity

accompanied by music

that heralds change

- the good sort.

I heard the sound of Spring.

Beach drama

A dragon stalks the beach

seeking unsuspecting fools

who dare to brave the hail

and traipse the sand.

A reminder that summer pleasures

are still a long way off.

 But who can resist the lure

and the drama unfolding hourly

as the landscape shifts and changes

A reminder that nothing stands still

Creation goes on

being amazing

always surprising

and delighting

mimicking the creator - 

who entertains

to perfection.

Litany of choosing

Get up now or snuggle in?

Toast, cereal, tea or coffee?

Zesty lemon shower gel or honey and almond?

Blue socks or green?

Shoes or boots?

Walk or drive?

From the minute we open our eyes

or not

our day is full of choices.

Some huge, some little

but all with consequences.

Impacting us and our neighbour,

folk like us with choices

and folk for whom there are no options

only unremitting sameness

and resignation.

So whether the deal

seems big or small

whatever the ease or difficulty of decision

May we always value the luxury of choice

And may our choices be life enhancing.


See I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity.
Deuteronomy 30 v 15