Big waves.
That’s all I’ve got.
Advent 6
I’m in London.
Wonder is found in the faces of old friends.
In pottering around twisty London back streets admiring the architecture of this crazy place.
In retreating to a safe place when it all got too much. There is something immensely soothing about sitting in a library surrounded by books.
The wonder is found in the parting of the clouds, in hope, in a tentative noting of a new kind of grounded reality and smile on the face of my favourite and best.
The wonder is found in sleepy sitting and good friends who know me so well.
I am grateful and glad of all these things. I smile into the sky and hug knowledge tight of the One who gave me all these gifts.
Posted in Life on the journey
Tagged Advent, friends, hope, husbandface, Light, thankful, wonder
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Advent 5
Tonight I read Son1 the story of Pandora’s Box (the child friendly one). The end hit me all over again. A tiny creature called Hope is left at the bottom of the box. Hope is then let loose into the world.
I am grateful for the reminder. Hope is still here even in the monstrous dark. Being a believer in One who made this world and came into it I’m pretty sure that there is a deeper hope that holds this world together. This hope is found in the coming of Jesus, the longing for his return and in the real presence of someone right here with us in the mess.
The one who was. Is. Is to come. Who was and is and shall be forever more. I love that we live tucked in the middle of that big narrative. Our lives are wrapped in a big story of hope, redemption and light where we can’t see anymore.
As Carrie Fisher put it so well this time last year:
“Hope is like the sun. If you only believe it when you see it you’ll never make it through the night.”
This year has been full of holding to hope. Some days I’ve done that better than others, but as I start to reflect on another year gone in our lives I can see the trails of the One who has held our hand, whose hope burns strong in us and has not let us go. I’m more convinced of the wonder of Jesus at the end of this year. 2 years ago when we felt the storm waves almost capsize us I read words that I clung to, words of asking to know more of God- if this was to be what we had to face.
I wanted to know deeper. I think I am starting to. I think I know more of what it is to sail on in the dark held by the One who will not let go of the boat. I am glad. I hope for more of that. I hope.
Posted in Life on the journey
Tagged Advent, darkness, hope, Jesus, life, Light, thankful, wonder
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Advent 4
And today the wonder was right there.
No need to dig deep.
A fresh blue sky.
Running in the sun.
Wryly accepting the way my body works.
Connecting chats at work.
Office bag of chocolate buttons. Mmmmm.
Cuppa with one of my favourites this afternoon. One of those chats that makes me long for the day when we’ll be gazing in awe at the One who got us so far and we’ll not have to wearily struggle with the stuff of this earth. Until then we’ll drink tea, talk through our tangled thoughts and be glad of each other. Still can’t quite believe her daughter is old enough to baby sit for us tonight. Time is a funny thing.
Gazing deep at the faces of the ones who came out of me. Marvelling at their beauty, insanity and long legs. Snoozing on the sofa whilst they whispered that they could have just one more episode if they didn’t wake me.
Reading that Advent is the beginning of the Church year. Too often it seems like it’s a small period in preparation for a big day. It’s simply the beginning of walking on through another year. We start with hope. We start with light in the dark. I like it.
Posted in Life on the journey
Tagged Advent, beauty, friends, hope, joy, sunshine, thankful
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Advent 3
Wonder.
Is hard to find
In ordinary time.
In dark skies, aching body, troubled mind.
Wonder.
Is scarce on days I eat my sorrow and still find empty landscapes in my mind.
Wonder.
I am sure it lurks. There was a rainbow today.
Wonder.
Tomorrow I am sure my head will be more together. But some days are like those clouds. Dreary. Long.
Tomorrow is another day.
For now. Tea. Bed. Book. TV.
The days roll on, waiting is as much in the trudging days as the mountain top joy.
I breathe. I hope. I rest.
Tomorrow is another day.
Posted in Ramblings
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The Long Walk Home 