How you make people feel....

Path of Renewal: Changing the Narrative

Path of Renewal: Changing the Narrative: Matthew 11:7-9 Jesus Praises John the Baptist As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into th...

Come sit with me

These seats are in the front area of my old primary school in Stonehaven - Arduthie Primary. They weren't there when I attended the school some 40+ years ago. I came across them on a recent visit to the town and was intrigued by them. It got me thinking. Who would I like to sit with me on these seats if I could choose anyone. My immediate thoughts went to love ones no longer with me - family and friends. Then I thought of famous people who I could chat with and learn from. Perhaps one or two of my favourite movie stars or musicians could join me. Oh and of course, some of my favourite authors too.

These thoughts reminded me of a reflective meditation that I undertook during my ministry training. We were invited to imagine that we were sitting at a table with Jesus and could choose where we sat in relation to him. It is an interesting exercise. Would you sit right next to him so that you could whisper in his ear and share your innermost thoughts and feelings? Would you sit opposite him and gaze on in wonder - God among us? Would you sit as far away as you could  - in awe and humility? Would you have him at the top of the table teaching you? Would you have him surrounded by children to watch how he interacted with them and them with him? Would you choose to simply sit at his feet?

Whoever you choose to sit with you, may you enjoy their company this evening.. 

Worry is a misuse of imagination

I see the moon

One of the advantages of becoming a grandmother is that you get to revisit seeing the world through a small person's eyes. I was driving along one afternoon with my 3 year old grandson, Seb, in the car. He was very excited about something he had seen. I asked him what it was but he didn't know the word for it. 

He then said 'like a diamond'. I worked out that he was referring to the nursery rhyme, 'Twinkle, twinkle, little star ... like a diamond in the sky'.  So, I stopped the car and looked to the sky. There I saw the moon in the sky in the middle of the afternoon and I marveled at it. 

Clearly though, Seb was puzzled. He queried, ‘it’s like a banana?’ I realised that he had probably only seen pictures of a round moon. So I said, “Well, sometimes the moon is like a banana and sometimes it is like an orange.” He seemed satisfied with my answer. 

It was a lovely moment of connection and wonder and learning. May you too have time to stop and look at the moon – whether it is a banana or an orange or something in-between!  

Circle us Lord