Celtic Lent Day 10

Day Dream 
One day people will touch and talk perhaps easily,
And loving be natural as breathing and warm as sunlight,
And people will untie themselves, as string is unknotted,
Unfold and yawn and stretch and spread their fingers,
Unfurl, uncurl like seaweed returned to the sea,
And work will be simple and swift as a seagull flying,
And play will be casual and quiet as a seagull settling,
And the clocks will stop, and no one will wonder or care or notice,
And people will smile without reason,
Even in winter, even in the rain.
A.S.J Tessimond

If I could change something about my life it would be to live a life without hurry. I'm so consumed thinking about the next thing I should be doing that I can rarely give people or moments the time they deserve. I long to learn how to live in the present, not always hurrying ahead.

Scripture
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Matthew 13.44

The 10th

If you want your dream to be
Take your time, go slowly
Do few things but do them well
Heartfelt work grows purely
If you want to live life free
Take your, time go slowly
Do few things but do them well
Heartfelt work grows purely

Day by day, stone by stone
Build your secret slowly
Day by day, you’ll grow too
You’ll know heaven’s glory

If you want to live life free
Take your time go slowly
If you want your dream to be
Take your time, go slowly

‘Little Church’ (Donovan Leitch)

I think I used this Northumbria Community meditation (actually it's a song from Brother Sun Sister Moon, the Franco Zeffirelli film about St Francis) during Lent but it seems even more appropriate during Advent, which is more usually a time where we try to do way too many things and burn ourselves out. Do few things and do them well.

Today I found joy in leftover chilli, was thankful for my team at work and felt helpless about time getting away from me.

Scripture

No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.

Matthew 5:15

Slow Down

I'm often told to slow down, I'm doing too much, I've taken on too much and it's true that with working, family and training there is little opportunity to slow down. The last 3 weeks have been particularly challenging but after submitting my assignment on Wednesday I feel like I have a little respite.
I certainly moved at a slower pace yesterday - I actually ate breakfast at home rather than in the car, I spent my chaplaincy time reflecting and taking stock of where I was up to in my placement, and last evening after college I chose sleep over blogging.
Moving so quickly it's easy to miss the things God wants us to notice. Taking time to reflect I've made some connections about the last few weeks and my ideas for creative spiritual staff support at work might actually be forming into something workable.
If we slow down, even for a moment, we might more easily see where God is pointing us towards next.

Be still

I'm only just finding my moment of stillness, as I settle down to sleep. Life is so hectic and so full that stillness is hard to achieve, yet it's so much easier to perceive God's presence when you slow down, be still, just breathe and listen.

Slow down

Late blog! Late night last night- went to Asda after college, because it's the only opportunity I've had to do the shopping this week, because slowing down is such a rarity.
I sat down to read my text book yesterday afternoon and I had to fight nodding off, because the only time I sit and stop is bedtime! I don't know if it's a sign of our time, because I'm in training or because I have young children (probably a combination of the above) but there's always something to do, and usually not enough hours in the day- hence why I live in chaos.
Life was busy enough before I stated training, but I knew what I was letting myself in for.
Mealtimes are generally something rushed when I'm on my own- and breakfast doesn't always happen. It didn't happen until 11.30 yesterday as I didn't have time before the school run, had my training incumbent supervision (coffee with Vicky) at 9 and then church at 10.15.
I was more than ready when I got home. I made some banana pancakes, topped them with berries and honey and snuggled into the sofa to enjoy them (I usually sit at the dining table/office/mess of paperwork). I really enjoyed them.