Act 28 & 29 - Show & Tell & BOGOF

Got behind for the first time, which isn't bad going when I think about how hectic the last 2 weeks have been.

I have to be honest I couldn’t think of a skill I have that I could share with someone else, or something useful to write about that without it sounding like false modesty. I'm a pretty average girl who has never shone at any particular thing, and I'm really ok with that. Our culture teaches us that we're all special, and in terms of how God sees us that's true, but it's also ok to just be average, to not "be the best". Of course if anyone would like the loan of my husband with one of his many amazing skills it can be arranged!
My own greatest skill is passion and enthusiasm, a love of and duty towards the things I do, especially my work. I don't know how to teach that but I believe it can be infections, reflected in the fact that about 7 nurses who were students under me have gone on to work on my unit.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

(1 Peter 4:10 NIV)

Being a disorganised duo, as we are, we often lose things and end up buying another, part of my intended post-training blitz and de-stuffing of the house is to give away anything we have two of.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. (Matthew 25:35 NIV)

Act 5 - Quiche

An act of generosity can be something incredibly simple. There's five of us in our house - myself, my husband, the two kids and my mum. My mum is wonderful. She does my washing, my washing up, looks after the dog whilst I'm at work and feeds the family on the days when I'm working.
Today was a very odd day as I was only working a half shift, meaning I was home by three. Whilst my mum often feeds us we very rarely return this, so as soon as I read today’s act I texted mum and told her I would cook this evening for us all. No grand gesture but something very much appreciated, and a reminder that I should do it far more often.
The title of my blog was in part inspired by how much I love baking for people as a gesture of generosity, hospitality and love. My ordination training has meant this has very much been neglected. I feel it's time to get my bake-on once more......

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ (Matthew 26:26 NIV)

19th December

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. -Luke 2:16-18

The shepherds are evalgelising like crazy, something which would make folk from my church tradition, and indeed myself, a bit uncomfortable. 'Tis not our way. We're probably worried we'll frighten people off instead of amazing them, so let's find another way to amaze people if we can't do it with words. Let's show people what a Christian truly is and what Christ's transforming love does. Be the best darn reflection of Jesus you can be. Bring joy, bring love, bring humour. Be inclusive, share what you have. Be what you want to see in this world.

11th December

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. -Luke 2:6-7

There's a popular theory in progressive Christianity (the model of Christianity I buy into) that the sin of Sodom is not a sexual sin but (if you read the book of Genesis carefully, and Ezekiel who states it quite plainly) their sin was a lack of hospitality. They had plenty but didn't share it with those in need. If this, as I believe, is the case then being hospitable and sharing with those in need is one of the most important things we can do as it's one of the things God values most.
We know very little about the people or person who took pity on Mary, about to give birth, and Joseph, anxious at her side, but they did something wonderful.
Whilst my husband has been looking for work we've found the most overwhelming generosity of spirit amongst people, sometimes people we don't even know that well. It's a timely reminder that people are good, and often reflections of God in our lives.

Share more

I was really really looking forward to today's task. For about four years my husband was on a gluten free diet, the beginning of which coincided with my finishing an eighteen month course which had dominated most of my free time. Having more free time and a husband with dietary needs meant I went all Sylvia Plath and starting baking like a lunatic! I loved it and I turned out to be a reasonable home baker. What I loved to most was sharing what I'd made at work.
Since starting my ordination training baking has gone right out of the window. The pleasure of spending an evening locked in the kitchen, no one else allowed to enter my private domain, has for the time being been put on hold. I did manage a few Christmas treats and a birthday cake for my daughter. I vaguely remember baking brownies for my course mates quite early on.
The last truly extravagant bake I made was my husband's 40th birthday cake back in early September.
All this back story is my rather convoluted way of revealing I failed at yesterday's task. Thursday and Friday were way too busy to bake and I worked all day yesterday. Glad to report the kids baked with my mum, and shared their treats with their other grandparents. We did have sharing treats at work as our lovely student Leanne brought lovely things on her last day.
I do have biscuits to share at today's Family Praise service...does that count?!

Cake or Death?

Sharing cake takes me right back to my very first blog post, my blog title & my very reason for starting this blog- no matter how awful your day is someone sharing some cake with you can, fleetingly, make you think everything is ok...and for that moment it is.
I try and share cake as often as I can- I love baking (mainly as therapy!) And I love to feed people. I've fallen back on my 'not-much-time-fail-safe' recipe today- chocolate brownies. I even managed to decorated them without one flake of glitter- though my hand was on the sprinkle cupboard door at one point.
A night shift tonight means I have lots of colleagues to feed. Sharing makes you feel good and makes others feel good. I have a cake ministry!

Acts 4:32
Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common.