What holds us together?
This week I experienced my first earthquake - shake, rattle and roll! I was in a basement restaurant, Teaism, having a great conversation about life and love with Sheri Shepherd when the table started shaking, then the floor, then me. Silence. Nobody spoke - we all just looked at each other. Then the lights flickered and we all suddenly realized a basement wasn't the best place to be! As we left the restaurant people were pouring out of the surrounding buildings, cell phone reception was down, sirens careered through the streets and it was every man for himself.
Isn't it weird how you can be surrounded by thousands of people and be utterly alone? As I looked around my fellow Washingtonians I thought, would any of these people save me in an crisis? Would I save them before saving myself? In that moment I just wanted to be with Richard, the man who I know would do anything to save me.
It is amazing how the Lord puts us in families - however that 'family' looks. He puts us with people who love hanging out with us, who get our jokes, who shrug at our idiosyncrasies, who gobble our best and worst dishes, and who miss us when we're gone. This is what holds us together - it's the little dots of glue that shared memories and future dreams create. It's not about seeking out people who have loads of stuff, but those who have open hands and tender hearts; it's not about the physically beautiful but about those who adore us just as we are.
So, what's your sticky glue?
Friday, 26 August 2011
Friday, 12 August 2011
Return
I'm back. I haven't posted here since April and to be honest I'm back because of the encouragement from my gracious friends and family who told me they missed it! Not terribly sure why I stopped writing, maybe I'd a sub-conscious crisis of confidence or maybe I just kept forgetting! Anyhow .... I've returned.
It has been a month of returning. We took a two week trip to the UK. We frequented old haunts, ate familiar food, hugged lifelong friends, loved on our families. We even got to attend Morning Prayer and Communion at the church where we were married, on the day of our 11th Wedding Anniversary - amazing. It felt like the most natural thing in the world - there was no awkward moments, no prolonged silences, no getting lost. Stepping back into that world was easy, we belonged.
And yet ... we told everyone how amazing our new friends in DC are, how cute our wee house is in Old Town and how everything really is bigger in America! We extolled the virtues of great service and the kindness of the American people; we lamented the bureaucracy and the crazy driving and honking. I guess we've started to belong in America too.
The return flight to the US was different than the flight we took in November 2010 (the food and entertainment on Aer Lingus is way better than Continental!). We were returning to a familiar city, with our own place, and we knew where to buy our groceries. But more importantly, we were returning to a place where we'd been missed.
You know, there's little certainty in this world - economic, social and political unrest coupled with life being life, has seen off any certainty suitors. It's hard to feel grounded, to feel any sense of purpose. But to know another human being wants you to return - that'll keep you going all day long.
So, say a prayer for those you miss and who miss you - it'll help us all stay belonging to each other.
It has been a month of returning. We took a two week trip to the UK. We frequented old haunts, ate familiar food, hugged lifelong friends, loved on our families. We even got to attend Morning Prayer and Communion at the church where we were married, on the day of our 11th Wedding Anniversary - amazing. It felt like the most natural thing in the world - there was no awkward moments, no prolonged silences, no getting lost. Stepping back into that world was easy, we belonged.
And yet ... we told everyone how amazing our new friends in DC are, how cute our wee house is in Old Town and how everything really is bigger in America! We extolled the virtues of great service and the kindness of the American people; we lamented the bureaucracy and the crazy driving and honking. I guess we've started to belong in America too.
The return flight to the US was different than the flight we took in November 2010 (the food and entertainment on Aer Lingus is way better than Continental!). We were returning to a familiar city, with our own place, and we knew where to buy our groceries. But more importantly, we were returning to a place where we'd been missed.
You know, there's little certainty in this world - economic, social and political unrest coupled with life being life, has seen off any certainty suitors. It's hard to feel grounded, to feel any sense of purpose. But to know another human being wants you to return - that'll keep you going all day long.
So, say a prayer for those you miss and who miss you - it'll help us all stay belonging to each other.
Sunday, 10 April 2011
Symphony
Last Friday night I attended a concert at the Austrian Embassy with Richard's Mum and sister, Sarah. For an hour the Mendelssohn Piano Trio took us to Spring in Vienna through an outstanding performance of Haydn, Beethoven and Schubert. It was breathtaking. Together the piano, violin and cello conjured every emotion. At times complementing, at times echoing, at times competing with each other; yet always creating beauty.
And then, the Lord spoke.
"Listen to each note. Hear how it is pure and beautiful in its own right. Now hear how it plays with the other notes - each sure of its place on the staff, not needing to be any other note, just itself. That's how I see my children."
"Now see how each note and each bar and each phrase combine. At times these bring joy and lightness, calm and peace; at times pathos and darkness, distress and unease; but always beauty. It is just like the moments and events of your life. Tonight, you don't fear the mix of those emotions, in fact you're delighting in them, experiencing their beauty. How much more beautiful is your life! Fear not daughter for your life is a symphony! "
And then, the Lord spoke.
"Listen to each note. Hear how it is pure and beautiful in its own right. Now hear how it plays with the other notes - each sure of its place on the staff, not needing to be any other note, just itself. That's how I see my children."
"Now see how each note and each bar and each phrase combine. At times these bring joy and lightness, calm and peace; at times pathos and darkness, distress and unease; but always beauty. It is just like the moments and events of your life. Tonight, you don't fear the mix of those emotions, in fact you're delighting in them, experiencing their beauty. How much more beautiful is your life! Fear not daughter for your life is a symphony! "
A symphony has been defined as an 'elaborate instrumental composition in three or more movements, similar in form to a sonata but written for an orchestra and usually of far grander proportions and more varied elements' (dictionary.com). So there it is. My life with all its ups and downs, was, and is, and will be even more breathtaking than anything written by Mendelssohn, Haydn, Beethoven or Schubert.
So, come Great Composer and write your Symphony that is me ...... hold no note back!
So, come Great Composer and write your Symphony that is me ...... hold no note back!
Sunday, 27 February 2011
Mindful
I was listening to a podcast last week about Mindfulness. The guest speaker was arguing that to minimize stress we need to address where we have our attention rather than our thinking. Now, for a girl who's big into the power of thinking about thinking, that caught my attention!
He suggested that our stress can be relieved by being fully present, with every sense, in every moment. After all, this present breath is the only one we have.
Imagine, being totally present in every moment, paying full attention so we miss nathing (as the Northern Irish would say). Every sense, fully engaged, taking it all in. I started to wonder, how much more would we hear from God if we lived like that? How much more of humanity would we marvel at? How much more would we know about ourselves?
The day after hearing the podcast I got my daily scripture text from a pastor friend in Florida. It was Psalm 8v4 - "What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?" Now there's a revelation!
The Lord is 'mindful' of us.
It's not that God's over there somewhere and we need to catch His eye; rather His full attention is on us. With every sense He is fully present in every moment, with our every breath. He misses nothing. He is not distracted or tired, apathetic or stressed.
It also means He's not just looking out for us, keeping a wee eye on us. Rather He is 100% rooting for us, paying attention to each uttered cry and plea, each thankful shout and joyful smile.
Be mindful this week and know that you are minded!!
He suggested that our stress can be relieved by being fully present, with every sense, in every moment. After all, this present breath is the only one we have.
Imagine, being totally present in every moment, paying full attention so we miss nathing (as the Northern Irish would say). Every sense, fully engaged, taking it all in. I started to wonder, how much more would we hear from God if we lived like that? How much more of humanity would we marvel at? How much more would we know about ourselves?
The day after hearing the podcast I got my daily scripture text from a pastor friend in Florida. It was Psalm 8v4 - "What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?" Now there's a revelation!
The Lord is 'mindful' of us.
It's not that God's over there somewhere and we need to catch His eye; rather His full attention is on us. With every sense He is fully present in every moment, with our every breath. He misses nothing. He is not distracted or tired, apathetic or stressed.
It also means He's not just looking out for us, keeping a wee eye on us. Rather He is 100% rooting for us, paying attention to each uttered cry and plea, each thankful shout and joyful smile.
Be mindful this week and know that you are minded!!
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
The Force
Sunday night was another American Cultural experience - the Superbowl....
Church had to be four hours earlier, Trader Joes sold out of crisps/chips, and grown women decided that football was really important. Thankfully I was at the house of lovely Laura and marvelous Molly who are not only fabulous cooks, but they were also very happy for me and my dear friend Northern Irish friend Lesley to only get excited by the adverts. BIG deal to get airtime advertising space during the Superbowl - watched by 111 million viewers!
My favourite ad was for the new VW Passat. A little boy dressed as Darth Vadar tries to use The Force on his dog, the drier, a doll and his lunch. Then Dad arrives home in the new Passat. As the boy zaps the parked car with The Force his Dad locks the car with the keyfob from the kitchen - brilliant! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hN41zcXJjmk).
How like me can you get? I try to use my force to shift people, inanimate objects, weight, circumstances. Yet, when Father gets involved - bam! Surprise! With all the resources of Father's storehouse and the company of heaven at His command it's a no-brainer really. Less of me and more of Him.
May His Force be with you .......
Church had to be four hours earlier, Trader Joes sold out of crisps/chips, and grown women decided that football was really important. Thankfully I was at the house of lovely Laura and marvelous Molly who are not only fabulous cooks, but they were also very happy for me and my dear friend Northern Irish friend Lesley to only get excited by the adverts. BIG deal to get airtime advertising space during the Superbowl - watched by 111 million viewers!
My favourite ad was for the new VW Passat. A little boy dressed as Darth Vadar tries to use The Force on his dog, the drier, a doll and his lunch. Then Dad arrives home in the new Passat. As the boy zaps the parked car with The Force his Dad locks the car with the keyfob from the kitchen - brilliant! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hN41zcXJjmk).
How like me can you get? I try to use my force to shift people, inanimate objects, weight, circumstances. Yet, when Father gets involved - bam! Surprise! With all the resources of Father's storehouse and the company of heaven at His command it's a no-brainer really. Less of me and more of Him.
May His Force be with you .......
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Intentions
My friend Moyra told me that this New Year she had arrived at some new intentions for 2011 rather than resolutions. Now that was an idea I could buy. Resolutions are so, well, resolute. There's no give; no space to err - which I hear is human. To intend to do something allows you to drop the ball and pick it back up and start again. You know, I intended to go to the gym in January but forgot, so I'll go in February. But if you break a resolution, well it sounds so serious and final. It makes you feel weakwilled and out of control.
Anyway, I've been thinking about my intentions for 2011. I've come up with two - both of which have been molded by experiences at the end of 2010. First, for about the first 5 weeks after our move to Washington DC I was terribly homesick. I grieved my family and friends, my home and my village. When I did things which were great fun I felt guilty, like I was somehow betraying home. Then Richard extolled the reality that we were released to come here by our friends and family, that although they missed us, they wanted us to experience everything God has for us in this place. So, intention number one is to grasp each opportunity with both hands and enjoy the adventure of a lifetime, whatever that looks like.
Since we arrived in America we have been overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers. Our little flock are amazing to us - they have welcomed us into their lives without hesitation and shown us Jesus. So intention number two is to be kind. I know we're called to love everyone, but some days I struggle with that; so maybe simply being kind is a good start. A kind word, a thoughtful note, and freely given smile , might just give someone hope in 2011.
So what are your intentions for 2011? Go on, I dare you.......
Anyway, I've been thinking about my intentions for 2011. I've come up with two - both of which have been molded by experiences at the end of 2010. First, for about the first 5 weeks after our move to Washington DC I was terribly homesick. I grieved my family and friends, my home and my village. When I did things which were great fun I felt guilty, like I was somehow betraying home. Then Richard extolled the reality that we were released to come here by our friends and family, that although they missed us, they wanted us to experience everything God has for us in this place. So, intention number one is to grasp each opportunity with both hands and enjoy the adventure of a lifetime, whatever that looks like.
Since we arrived in America we have been overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers. Our little flock are amazing to us - they have welcomed us into their lives without hesitation and shown us Jesus. So intention number two is to be kind. I know we're called to love everyone, but some days I struggle with that; so maybe simply being kind is a good start. A kind word, a thoughtful note, and freely given smile , might just give someone hope in 2011.
So what are your intentions for 2011? Go on, I dare you.......
Thursday, 23 December 2010
Anticipation
Advent - the season of waiting. We've been waiting for our shipping boxes for the whole of Advent. As each Lindt Lindor chocolate ball disappeared from our Sainsbury's Santa advent calender, our boxes endured weather delays, lost paperwork (thanks Virgin!) and an eventually transatlantic flight to experience 3 days in US customs. But at last, today's the day our boxes are to be delivered.
Thing is I can't really remember what's in them! I do know there are mugs and our favourite blanket, but we spent hours debating what to ship and how to pack it and how to weigh and seal the boxes and we've lasted the past month without them. I guess the reality is that there's nothing in there imperative to survival - more about memories and comfort, and expectations of
'need'.
We're all waiting for something - that life-changing opportunity at work; the relationship that will make us whole; for the angst to stop and the joy to move in. Holding on in expectation that tomorrow will be better than today - that our failures, demons, sadness and dislocations will be redeemed, removed, replaced and restored. The time when we move from Advent to Christmas.
Christmas - no longer waiting, the fufilment is here. Emmanuel. God come to earth as flesh to fully embrace our weakness.
That's the magic of Christmas for me - Christ's birth brings us completion of redemption and restoration while at the same time we live continually looking to be redeemed and restored. Advent and Christmas happening together every day of the year.
Thing is I can't really remember what's in them! I do know there are mugs and our favourite blanket, but we spent hours debating what to ship and how to pack it and how to weigh and seal the boxes and we've lasted the past month without them. I guess the reality is that there's nothing in there imperative to survival - more about memories and comfort, and expectations of
'need'.
We're all waiting for something - that life-changing opportunity at work; the relationship that will make us whole; for the angst to stop and the joy to move in. Holding on in expectation that tomorrow will be better than today - that our failures, demons, sadness and dislocations will be redeemed, removed, replaced and restored. The time when we move from Advent to Christmas.
Christmas - no longer waiting, the fufilment is here. Emmanuel. God come to earth as flesh to fully embrace our weakness.
That's the magic of Christmas for me - Christ's birth brings us completion of redemption and restoration while at the same time we live continually looking to be redeemed and restored. Advent and Christmas happening together every day of the year.
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