The Walls of Tradition and Culture

Yesterday was a day of catching up with things that had been recorded.  First I watched a programme called Human Planet about how people survive in the most extreme circumstances.  This week's episode was about those who live within the Arctic Circle.  It showed how the Inuits hunted for food.  It had never occurred to me before but they have no fruit of vegetables as they cannot grow any produce on a land that is covered with ice and snow most of the year.  My thought was 'What about your 5 a day?'  We are told rightly that we should eat plenty of fruit and vegetables to have a balanced diet but I had never thought about people who cannot do this.  Then there is the issue of hunting and killing rare sharks that live only in the Arctic waters and hundreds of birds.  But can it be wrong if it is in order to survive? 

The second catch up was a podcast on Martin Scott's blog of a recent visit to Sacramento.  He and his wife are currently living in Majorca and learning the language.  He spoke of their neighbour whom they could often hear with raised voice to her partner and said how he had learnt some Spanish words that he couldn't find in the dictionary!  But on the other hand he was so provoked by this same lady who would go out looking for people who needed help and doing what she could to help them. 

It is so easy to judge others according to what we consider to be right and proper.  What may be wrong for me may not be wrong for someone else.  If we can look past the outer veneer of our own culture and way of doing things, we will find that God is at work in some of the most unlikely places.  We don't always see this because we have built a wall around ourselves and consider that those who follow Christ must join us within the walls and fit in to our ways, habits and way of living.  One very important lesson I learned from living in another country is that some of the things that I had accepted as right and proper were not necessarily biblical but more English tradition and culture.  'Lord, help me to see others not as better or worse but simply different.  Help me to see past the customs and traditions to see as You see.  Man sees on the outside but You see the inside.' 

Who knows where I'll see God today?  Probably outside of the walls I have constructed in my life.

House or Home

 The thing about winter is that, although it brings rest and renewal to creation and gives way to spring and new life, there is also a destructive element to it.  Fences need to be strengthened and there is a patch of pointing in the brickwork that needs some attention to prevent dampness from seeping into the inside of the house.  Roof and loft areas need to be checked.  Repair and maintenance always seems to be ongoing - always something to do, inside or outside.

I love watching all those property programmes on TV - Homes under the Hammer, Escape to the Country, Location,location,location etc.  Some properties are beyond our wildest dreams while others are quite humble and ordinary.  But then I look at the news and see what happens to man made property when creation begins to groan and we see the effects of floods, earthquakes, war and unrest in the land.  And things seem to take on another perspective. 

Maybe it's because I have lived in many different houses and places in my life, that I can't quite understand people who are so attached to a particular building.  Of course there are memories that we wish to keep hold of;  there are untold stories and emotions connected to certain places.  We should enjoy the place where God has allowed us to be and be good stewards of the material things he has given us but also try to see things from God's world perspective.  

A house is a place to live but a home is a place of love and that can be wherever God chooses for us to be.  So as we face the necessary repairs, I try to keep focused on the real purpose for our being here - to live out the love of God and make a difference just here, whatever the bricks and mortar look like.

Sorting out

It's been one of those sorting out days.  I started this morning by making a list of 'to do' things, gradually ticking off the things I actually managed to get done - ironing, cleaning bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, sorting out rubbish and recycling.  I didn't finish my list but still have a sense of achievemnet for what I have done.

While sorting out the rubbish, I eventually threw away what had been a beautiful bunch of flowers. 

I had been given them for my birthday a couple of weeks ago - lilies and roses.  The roses had already died but I kept the lilies as long as I could for their lovely aroma.  I had put them on the table in the dining room (at the front of the house) so that you could smell them as soon as you walked through the front door or down the stairs. But sadly, today I said goodbye to them.  They didn't really smell very nice now. 

Things come and go, life changes and sometimes what once was lovely and enjoyable has served a very useful purpose but we must move on. The trouble is we always want to hold on to what we have enjoyed hoping that it will continue to always be the same.  And then are disappointed when it doesn't have the same effect or appeal.  I love the quote from Bono when he says: 'Religion is what you've left when the Spirit leaves the building.'  I don't want the dying or dead leftovers.  I want life - the real thing -as Jesus puts it 'in all its fulness'.  So it's a case of sorting out what is no longer useful and doing away with it, even though it might have been good once but no longer serves the purpose - replenishing and renewal.  I thank God for what I had and experienced - all good and right at the time - and I move on in my journey.

Renewal

This photo was taken on Monday and is the first sign of new life in our garden this year.  It reminded me of something I wrote a number of years ago when life was a bit of a struggle.  I was doing an Open Learning course at the time and for one assignment had to write a prayer in the Celtic tradition.  I chose to write about the snowdrop.  The only words I have changed from the original are you instead of thou and your instead of thy. 



                                                             THE SNOWDROP

                                      God of Life, you give hope to me

                                      When all around is deathly white.

                                      God of Love, you show warmth to me

                                      When icy snows begin to melt.

                                      God of Creation, you speak to me

                                      Your world around me tells me of your truth.

                                      The small white flower that is so delicate yet strong

                                      Braves ice and snow to bring your message to me.

                                      Thank you, O God, because you remind me

                                      That hard times some day surely will end,

                                      That cold days will give way to warmer clime,

                                      That winter cannot prevent spring's resurrection.

                                      Thank you, O Father, God of Creation.

                                      In the dark, cold days you are with me.

                                      Thank you, O Jesus, God of Love.

                                      In your tender mercy you enfold me.

                                      Thank you, O Spirit, God of Life.

                                      In your everlasting faithfulness you renew me. 

Back in the garden

I have been so wanting lately to get back out into the garden.  There is so much I want to do so I was really happy when this afternoon I was able to sort out some plants and bulbs.  For about 2 hours the sun actually shone.  I had received from friends for my birthday a couple of lovely pots with plants for the patio and so this afternoon I was finally able to put them out and also to pot some other bulbs and plants ready to be transplanted in the garden at a later date when they have become more established.  There were irises, lily of the valley, red hot pokers, anemones and a few others. Hopefully in another few months the garden will be transformed in a blaze of colour.  I was just about finished when ... surprise, surprise, it started to rain ... again!  Never mind, I was very pleased with what I had managed to get done in the short space of time.

I am always amazed how the spring bulbs keep on growing despite the bad weather.  These are some daffs and narcissus that I planted last autumn.  All through the winter time, the place looks so desolate and barren and yet, seemingly out of nowhere, there is life.  I need to be reminded often that in times of waiting when apparently nothing is happening and all seems dead and lost, there are great changes going on in the dark, deep places.  It seems that more often than not, the miracles happen away from the glare of publicity, in the secret places.  The waiting and the coping with the darkness and cold storms of winter are necessary for the new life to flourish.  The barren times of waiting can be very hard but thank you Lord that spring is just around the corner!

What plans?

It's been one of those weird days. Normally on a Thursday morning I meet up with my sister and we spend the morning together. Sometimes we go shopping and sometimes just sit and drink coffee and chat about anything and everything, putting the world to rights. A couple of days ago she phoned to say we would have to give it a miss this week as something else had cropped up. So now I had a morning I could do something else.

I had received a number of gift cards for my recent birthday so thought it would be a good idea to go into town and see what I could buy and spoil myself. Then I would come home and sort out a couple of big pots I had also received from friends for the patio. I would go into town first as I needed to be home this afternoon to receive a delivery from the local farmers.

I awoke early with my mind set for the day. I had my plan and was waiting for my son to leave for work and then I would get in motion. NOT, as it happens! My son came downstairs hardly able to speak, croaking that he really felt he should take the day off work as he felt really poorly. So I made him a hot honey and lemon drink and he went back to bed. I suppose I could have gone out and left him but thought it better if I hung around and made him his hot drinks. He slept all day but thankfully by teatime he was feeling much better and got up in time to eat. Apparently they are typical symptoms of so called 'man flu' - go to bed and have everyone feeling sorry for you, sleep most of the day and get up when the food is ready! (Only joking - he really did look rough this morning)

So this morning I pottered around hoping to get into the garden to sort out my new pots for the patio - but as it was wet and miserable all day, that didn't happen either. Never mind I had a very chilled out day which I enjoyed to the point that after a spot of lunch I began drifting off in my very comfortable recliner when suddenly the door bell went bringing me back to reality. It was the delivery from the local farmers - the only part of the planned day that actually happened.

What are my plans for tomorrow? I'll wait til tomorrow and see what happens.

Value and purpose

This morning the TV presenter was interviewing a well known celebrity about a documentary programme he was involved in about physics. What may not be well known is that the well known comedian is qualified in quantum physics. It seems a long way from what he is more readily recognised for. In the interview he said that preparing the programme made him feel that his life had purpose again.

I know what he means but began thinking how we evaluate people by the jobs they do. I guess that in an evening after a day's work, when we just want to relax and escape the drudgery of life for a while, we may prefer to listen to a comedian than a scientist (depending on what you like of course) But being able to relax and smile is important in life and those who dedicate their lives to helping us achieve this I feel are doing a very worthwhile job.

How often I have been introduced to someone firstly by their name and quickly followed by their profession or trade/job skill. I once heard that someone had commented on an undergraduate's choice of boyfriend as 'Could she not have done better for herself? He 's only a ... ... ' I know that some jobs are vitally important but how often we value people wrongly because of what they do at work. Teachers are very important but so also is the dinner lady or the person who helps in the playground. For children travelling to school, the lollipop man/woman is so important. And surgeons would be lost without the after care nurses, hospital cleaners and porters and admin staff. Over the bad weather we have come to realise our need for the refuse collectors when they have been unable to collect down some streets. And so I could go on ... ... How often, even in Christian circles, do we see those who have some social clout being welcomed and fussed over more than the sole parent struggling to cope with life.

On a personal level, my two sons are so different in that one is very academic while the other struggled to finish school. He went because he had to but was so relieved when he could leave. One will always be paid more than the other and so will always have financial standing and status in society. As a mother and knowing how both worked as hard as each other - in fact I would say that at school the one who struggled applied himself more than the other - but the so called rewards in life being so different, I can't help feeling that life just isn't fair and that we judge people wrongly and put more importance onto things that in God's whole scheme of things are not that important. I pray that I will see people through God's eyes and accept that whatever they do, they have an important contribution to make to those around them. Looking at what the high fliers of the financial world have done to the world's economy, I would lean towards valuing the cleaners and lowly workers more. But that's another blog - maybe.

Perspective

A perspective is basically what you see from where you're standing. In art it is drawing in 2 dimensions in such a way as to see depth and distance. Of course your persepective can change depending on where you are standing.

I remember when I first passed my driving test and got my full licence - too many years ago to think about! But my license said that it expires in January 2011 when I reach a certain age. At the time I remember thinking, 'Well why on earth will I want to be driving at that age anyway?' A few weeks ago I received a letter from the Driving License Centre reminding me that my license was due to expire and that if I wanted to renew it for another 3 years then I needed to fill in the necessary form and sent it back to their office for confirmation. It's strange how my perspective has changed! Of course I want to renew and extend my license.

As a young woman, I could not have imagined how I would feel as the years progressed and held certain opinions about many things, not just about driving. But life is a great teacher and I have learnt many lessons. I have changed my perspective, point of view, outlook on a number of issues. How often do we hear people say that they have changed their minds about certain issues or that they don't think or believe certain things any more or they now do things differently.

I may elaborate on some of my own changes of opinion in future blogs but for now suffice to say that I have learnt to be less dogmatic and more tolerant because I know that over the years I myself have changed.

New house, new start

I have been thinking lately that I should start blogging again. It is now over 3 years since I last posted something here. Since then we eventually moved house in May 2009. We have done quite a bit of work on the house since moving in and are now tackling the garden. So here goes - new year, new house, new start.

A new year comes with the natural looking back and looking forward. Some friends have been talking about their 'to do lists' for the year ahead. I guess that at my age I don't really want to have a long list and feel pressurised into completing it. I may not be as quick and agile as I once was but there are things I would like to do and places I would like to visit. These past 3 years have been a time of waiting and now in this new year I have a sense that things may start to move again so who knows what this year holds - only God. And I just want to journey with Him and go where He wants me to and connect with those whom He has prepared for me to share this part of my journey with. I wonder what surprises He has prepared for me. I have a feeling that it's going to look different from anything I've experienced before. So here's looking forward to 2011.