Today didn’t quite go as planned. We found out me and the boys have to self isolate for 10 days. So the wonder might get pretty dull from now on. But we will make the best of it. Slow and quiet is after all what our December seems to be about this year. More enforced rest can’t be all that bad. We got to watch Elf today as well. Christmas movies will get us through these days. Also, now the kids are in bed, we are settling down for some Die Hard.
Wonder found despite a tired fractious day. It was at least a good start on a short walk up the hill to remember what morning walks feel like. Strange to be out again after 2 or more weeks. Sad that I still need to rest but trying to listen to the trees as they whispered their stillness to me.
I walked out into winter
Left in autumn
Now three weeks past
And the land whispered silently
we are here.
We’ve stopped.
Heard you have too.
I gazed on the quiet still trees.
Stopped.
Gathered in.
Waiting. and
I stopped too.
Reassured. It’s ok
To rest.
Wonder is felt today in the details. In a body slowly feeling more like itself. In a clean house. In the sun shining on my moment of sitting with a book and a cup of tea. In another firepit, toasting marshmallows with excellent friends and enjoying fat free sugar. In chats on the phone with one of my favourites and in a glass of wine as the day spins to it’s end.
Digging deep for the wonder today, as I sit here I just want to moan about being tired and Decembery (it’s a word… maybe…). But. Wonder is there for the taking and so today the pockets were found in a lovely chat with the person cutting my hair, both of us overexcited to talk to someone different. It was found in the first and last Christmas shopping experience of the year, in wandering the streets of Brighton again and enjoying the quirky joy of our city despite these odd times. It was found in chatting with a friend in the park before pick up. The dark feels pretty dark this time of year but the droplets of wonder are ever before me..
Another day, another firepit. Wonder found today in meeting with the excellent Sam and Dave (One Church ministers rather than the soul duo) around a firepit in the back garden. I love being team with these guys, I love our chats, the honesty, the vulnerability and the fun we have together. Lovely also to have time to pray meaningfully and not be on stupid zoom. Wonder also found in the eldest going back to school and being ok and a glimpse of hope in getting a date for my scan to see if I have gallstones and whether this no fat diet over Christmas is worth doing.
Wonder also found in this question from my advent book this morning- “In whose story is God inviting me to participate?”. Mulling that one all day.
The Long Walk Home 