Weeding in "Our Space"

We've been doing some minor alterations at home. It's funny how when you make one part of the house look nice, it shows up all the minor imperfections that you have learnt to overlook, and suddenly you are unable to live with them anymore! Does this happen with you too, or is it just us? Anyway, this is where the story of our garden comes in.

About 16 years ago we lived in a place where gardening was easy. Here, we have challenges with sandy soil, wind, snails, cutworm and caterpillars. When we first moved here, we did try to create a nice garden, but everything we planted disappeared almost overnight. We just gave up and maintained what was there.  BUT NOW... we have decided to give it another try and have been back and forth to the nursery and madly planting. Of course, now that the plants are in, my lawn is an irritation, because after all these years, I have not weeded it ever, with the result that there is possibly more weed than lawn.

As I was sitting on the grass, with my weeding fork, feeling very satisfied at being able to pull up the weeds with the roots intact, (ensuring that this would be the end of them), I remembered how often God used to speak to me when I gardened before. It was like "our space". As I pulled up another weed, I wished I had paid more attention to my lawn, because then the weeds would not have spread so far. If I could just pull it out as soon as it showed its face, I would not be overcome with them.

As if on queue, I was reminded of a discussion at Bible School recently while studying Corinthians, of how Paul used the example of yeast for how sin spreads when not dealt with. For me, who avoids baking and the kitchen like the plague, yeast would not be an example I would use. However, sitting in the middle of a patch of lawn, and seeing how one weed had been allowed to run free, it had not only affected my lawn, but had run riot and woven in among the grass to a point where it was difficult to separate the two. 

I don't believe in "sin management" in terms of being so inward focused in that that is all we do, but I think it's good to take a look at our lives every so often, especially if convicted by something, to make sure there is nothing left untended that will root, run riot and stop us being able to discern what is good and pure, and that which may need to be rooted out.

Having said all that - I am so thankful for my man, the sun, the garden, for new plants, our dogs who take turns to dig up our new plants / or eat them, for water to water them, and eyes to see them with.

I guess God picked up "our space" again too.

Life is beautiful.

The Contemplative Critic

I watched a short, thought-provoking film at our local Museum about Thomas Merton last week. Interesting quote by one of the guys speaking about their relationship: 

"Some people may have thought we were on the edge, but actually, we were creating a new centre." 

I have to read his book "Contemplative Critic" about his life now. If the film is anything to go by, I think I am going to enjoy it. It was written by Henri Nouwen, another person whose life I would like to read more about. 

Merton was a spiritual risk-taker, restless in his pursuit of God and determined to find God in unexpected places and with unexpected people. Not that I in any way can compare myself to him, but something about what I heard about in his story, resonates with me.

More when I am finished the book!

Did you say: "Religion?"

I "shared" this on FB, and, as you can see, was even brave enough to add a status update with it.

Possibly people will  have a couple of reactions:

1. What? She "likes" the Dalai Lama on Facebook?
2. What? She "shared" that status update?
3. I thought she was a Christian.

I call myself a follower of Christ. For me, being called a Christian has too much baggage. Arrogance, hyprocrisy and judgemental attitudes are attached to it. None of which reflect the person of Christ.

Friends who truly know me. Know me. That's all I will say about that.  :)

I am not sure exactly what I find interesting:

• perhaps it's that he says all these faiths "promote inner values" - yet, he lists fruit of the spirit as a "tool" to further this. 
• perhaps it's that he has realised that "grounding ethics in religion is no longer adequate." Was it ever adequate?
• The most interesting thing to me is his last sentence: "...I am increasingly convinced that the time has come to find a way of thinking about spirituality and ethics beyond religion altogether."

I have found myself mulling over this sentence all day. When I think of "religion" - immediately I think of rules of trying to do all the right things to be a good Christian. It's conjures up pictures of duty and obligation.


If we are to consider that religion (as he sees it) is no longer able to make people behave ethically or morally - I wonder when (or if) he will recognise that the Holy Spirit is the source of the qualities such as love, peace, compassion, forgiveness....  and when we are in Christ, there is no more "trying to be a good Christian" and trying to keep all the rules, because our position and relationship with God in Christ is certain through grace. As we journey in this walk of spirituality, we become more like him, reflecting these qualities so needed in the world today. 

It's a journey not of ethics through religion, but of love through grace.



I just love this picture.
It shows that people of different journeys can be friends without having to defend their faith.
Instead they enjoy one another's company and share their lives and spiritual walk together.



I realise that this sounds pretty jumbled and I reserve the right to alter my thinking at any time. I do however have immense respect for this man, his desire for peace and his search for truth.   



Well Done London!

Just like that, it's all over.  I think my couch has b-hind imprints on it, and I seriously considered moving the fridge into the lounge so I wouldn't have to move....(just kidding, but you get the idea!?)

I wonder how long it took them to rehearse those opening and closing ceremonies, how to schedule the people and the times - what an incredible job London, and the UK, you can be so proud of yourselves!

Some of my favourite memories.... I know I am leaving tons out...

• Chad le Clos, of course - who wouldn't just melt at that finish, and when he was on the podium, seeing that chin giving way to all that emotion. I bet every mom in the world would have wanted to throw their arms around him and tell him how proud they are... (actually, judging from school, I think a lot of girls would have wanted to just throw their arms around him. Period!)  His father just crept into our hearts and conversations overnight.

• The Ugandan Kiprotech who won the Mens marathon - who ever would have thought I would sit and watch an entire marathon, but I did.  Same with the X-Country Cycle watching our guy, Burrie Stander, who I have nicknamed the "Comeback Kid" - just never gave up! Our lightweight Fours and Bridgette Hartley all at home on water and did so well!

• Oh my goodness -Jamaica... what can I say. Yohan Blake, my Jamaican hero, (who incidentally rang the bell for our opening cricket match against England!) but those guys are athletes AND showmen!

• Loved watching Mo Farrah run and win! What a favourite he was!
• Watching Oscar run in the Olympics and making history and our golden girl Caster who did us proud too!

All of our SA athletes were awesome and there were just so many magical moments!

One of the funniest things I heard on a USA broadcast was this:

 The News  Announcer said: "Spoiler Alert. If you don't want to know the results of this event, 

mute your TV now". Then proceeded to put up the picture of the winner and all the details.

I loved, loved, loved the Freddy Mercury bit at the closing ceremony - wished I was there for that!

The paralympics though, just finished me off. I think I have cried more in the last few weeks with this than I have in years! Its incredibly humbling and doubly inspiring watching people who are living their lives not feeling sorry for themselves but are literally taking life by the horns and giving it "what for". 

Our paralympians did fantastically, too many too mention, but one close to home is Achmat Hassiem who got bronze in swimming after he had his leg taken off by a shark at one of our local beaches some years back. At the time he was a life saver at that beach and after the incident he didn't give up on anything, but just went ahead and did even greater things!

Watching sprints done by blind people with a guide - who even thought that was possible! Watching backstroke by some who have almost no arms, and then win!?  It's amazing, inspiring and changes the way one sees one's own challenges.

I will bore you if I go on about this now - but suffice it to say - again, LONDON: You rocked it. Thanks to all the volunteers from those upfront and those behind the scenes who officiated, organised and councelled.

You did a great job,you really, really did!

I'd rather be sleeping....

I used to have a keyring that said that..."I'd rather be sleeping"

Sleep and I are generally the best of friends and I have often joked that I could fall asleep on a park bench on the main road.

 

Over the last month or three, I have found that occassionally Mr Sandman refuses to take me hostage and instead lets me stay up and play. I am not awake worrying about anything. I am just ... awake.

Last night was one of those nights. The TV powered off. I was awake. I could switch it on again, but My Man battles to go back to sleep if he is woken up, so I don't.

I begin to think....( These thoughts are headlines, there are sub-heads, text & occassional mental footnotes.)

It starts with my day. What I did at school, what projects am I busy with, could I make them better, would something work more effectively if I did it differently next time, rerun through all the great Web2.0 tools I have found and wonder how I can incorporate them into classes. I must remember to Tweet them to my PLN to spread the joy.

Turn over. Look at the clock. Midnight. *yawn*

Inevitably thinking about Tweeting will lead me to thinking about Facebook. I wonder if any of my friends are online? Maybe I can pop in and see quickly. I don't want to disturb My Man so I don't. Facebook leads to thinking about Blogging, and I run through the blogs that I have read recently and then feel pangs of guilt that I don't Blog as often as I would like. So right there and then, I mentally write, edit and rewrite the best blog I have EVER written. It's a beaut!

Turn over. Look at the clock. 01:15 *Damn*

At this point I may consider giving My Man an accidentally on purpose nudge. But the kind of nudge you can't ignore. When he responds I will say innocently: "Oh, are you also awake... do you want tea?" (I won't drink tea, but he would if he was awake and at this point it would be in my best interest to please him.) However, I don't kick him, or nudge him and instead I congratulate myself quietly for being such a considerate and caring wife. ;-)

Then I think that if I was that good a wife I would definitely be a better cook! I determine that from tomorrow I will cook double every night and freeze it, then I will always have nice food at hand, and will even get away with not cooking every now and again. What a brilliant idea. I will be so organised from tomorrow. I run through recipes that this will work well with. I have some. Awesome. Can't wait!

Turn over. Look at the clock 2:10. *yawn so hard I am in danger of swallowing my face.*

As I turn over I remember that I must book that venue for where we want to renew our vows. I really also need to make a list of what to do and invites. *Take time to make mental guest list and keep realising I am adding the same people more than once* so I give up.

Turn over. 02:45: Ugh, I am so uncomfortable.

... I give myself a mental lecture about why I am uncomfortable.   I really should go back to gym. Tomorrow. Tomorrow I will definitely go back. I will feel better when I am back.

 * * *

Nickleback forces back my eyelids open at 07:00ish and all I can think is "Dear God, seriously????"

I manage to get to school without everyone pointing and staring, so I guess my bra isn't on the outside of my blouse.

I go to the kitchen and make coffee.  (Thank you God.)

I go about my day with my lovely kids. I forget to book the venue. I go home and cook enough for only one meal. I sit down to write the brilliant blog and can't for the life of me remember what the HECK it was about!???

I have at least 3 very admirable reasons why I can't possibly go to gym today.

Maybe tomorrow.

94 Today!

HaPpY BirThDay DeaReSt MaDiBA!

 

What an amazing life you've led. You have truly "put up your hand" for the beliefs you felt strongly about and you paid the price for them. In spite of this, you have demonstrated integrity, humility, grace and mercy to anyone who comes into contact with you .... and those who don't.

You are an inspiration to me and so many others, may you celebrate this year and many more with much love, laughter and the friendship of our rainbow nation, even of the world.

Have a wonderful day, dear Madiba.

Horatio Spafford

Do you know who Horatio Spafford was?
             I didn't. I know his words, but not his name.

There is always a life story behind words we read, even if we don't consider it at the time of reading.

"When peace like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea-billows roll,

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is well with my soul."

Familiar?
              Horatio Spafford wrote that.

Do you know when he wrote it?
              I didn't. I know his words, but not his event.

There is always a story behind what we read.

Considering that he wrote this on a ship, sailing across the ocean at the precise spot where the ship that was carrying his wife and four young daughters sank and  all four daughters drowned.....

......Suddenly the hymn means a little more, don't you think?

                                                        There is always something we don't know.

* * * * *

I have been reading this book which summarises the lives of a couple of great hymn writers. Horatio has particularly grabbed me for two reasons - which I can summarise in one verse:

"There is nothing new under the sun"

So the 2 reasons it grabbed me:

1.  The similarity to Job's experience

2.  Questioning and debating one's faith is not new and the results are often the same.

1. A remarkable similarity to Job.

He was born in 1828. Long ago hey? :)

• He lost his son to scarlet fever.
• His four daughters drowned when their ship collided with another.
• People thought that their children had died because of sin they must have in their lives.
• He also then lost his nephew who had moved with them to Jerusalem, and was like a son to them. 
• Yet, in none of this did he doubt the goodness and kindness of God.

"When Horatio's life had flowed like a smooth, tranquil river, he refused to let others

shape his course. Now, amidst an ocean of suffering, neither did he bow to their expectations

or their theology. Horatio asked questions of God, not people. He reviewed Scriptures,

wrestled, analyzed and deduced.... "God is kind," said Horatio. "I do not know why

my children drowned. But our sin or lack of it had nothing to do with their deaths.

My girls are in heaven. I shall see them again."

What friends said of them after their son died:

"If the Spaffords were true Christians, God would not allow such a thing a second time."

What miserable comforters their friends turned out to be.

* * * * *

2.  Questioning and debating one's faith is not new and the results are often the same:

The book describes the event where he realises that he is short sighted. A bunch of friends are admiring the stars in the sky and Horatio said:

"Now Charlie, be candid. Be honest.

Do you really see enough beauty up there to warrant your outburst?"

Charlie lent him his glasses and suddenly "he stood transfixed by the

hundreds of diamonds that sparkled above him in clean, crystalline beauty."

The book goes on to say:

"Once his physical vision was corrected, Horatio wasted no time in scrutinizing his intellectual vision. He no longer swallowed traditional viewpoints, those of others or himself, without inquiry. He examined issues, loosening and peeling away layer of conventionality with sharp questions. How do we know this? Why? ... 

He says to God:

"All my life I had no inkling of the beauty or complexity of Your creation, God.

What else have I overlooked because I never questioned my own limited view?"

He became close friends with Dwight Moody and sometimes diasgreed with him:

"he felt the evangelist placed too much emphasis on God's judgement and not enough on his love.

As usual,he made his position clear to his friend and spiritual mentor (Moody).

But Horatio believed God had used Moody to change his own life and viewed

him as the means to help others change, too."

At some point he was asked to resign from his position in the Church due to his desire to question convention and tradition, though he never doubted the atoning sacrifice of Christ and the love of God.

The book goes on to talk about how newspapers "publicized and often distorted his views."

They, together with a group of friends, moved to Jerusalem after the death of his son and formed what came to be known as "The American Colony". Their lives embraced friendships with Jews, Muslims, Spanish priests and Sheiks (amongst others) as they embraced their culture. Their love and friendship had infiltrated a community of people whose lives were affected because of the their love for Jesus.

He died from malaria in Jerusalem in 1888.

* * * *

Things I can take from his story:

• My faith will hopefully be as strong as theirs if tragedy befalls me.
• I am thankful for my family and friends who love me unconditionally. 
• That you can question tradition and convention
• You can see things differently from other believers (Like he and Moody) 
• Give one another room for their conviction and respect them.
• There will always be those who are "willing to be companions" on your spritual journey
• There will always be those who choose to "camp" and frown upon your spiritual journey
• God is kind and is fully invested in making our journey as adventurous as you allow him
• That all people from all faiths are to be respected and shown the love of Christ
• A committed community of Christ followers can make a difference
• One person started this. So never think that I, being one person, can't make a difference where I am.

We really do 'stand on the shoulders' of these amazing people who went before.

A very edited version of a wonderfully inspiring story.

* * *