I guess that it is simply that time in life when change seems constant, but I must admit there is a part of me that longs for a little more stability, a space to collect my thoughts and to allow my heart, mind and spirit to catch up with the rest of me.
Today Chris is heading down to Lee Abbey in Devon, he has decided to offer to become a part of the community there for about a year to give himself some space to discern the way ahead, they say:
"Being on the Community at Lee Abbey means experiencing a unique
Jesus-centred community way of life. It means meeting many, many people
from all over the world. Today there are around 90 of us, representing
more than 20 nations.
It's about living, serving and worshiping closely together. You
can retreat and hide, but being here involves sharing time and space,
and being open to be known for who we really are. It's challenging, but
if you let it, it can also be life-changing!"
In many ways I can see why this is just about perfect for Chris, or anyone else who needs the time and space to reflect on the way forward, and yet be in a place where they can serve others. Community life appeals to him, I kind of get that too!
Also this week we will head of to the second of our four graduation celebrations this year, this time for Jon, who is graduating from Lancaster University with a degree in Theatre Studies. Jon will come home for a couple of months before heading back to Lancaster to join the MA course there. He has a passion for theatre, not simply acting in general, but for theatreitself. He loves Shakespeare particularly, and IMHO plays it well, but has played a variety of roles... I hope we can say watch this space. It is a strange thing to encourage your children to go into crazy careers like the Theatre, or in Emma's case music, but they have a passion for it, and I suppose that the motto "Nothing ventured nothing gained" comes into play here. They are young, they can diversify later if they need to!
Jo also graduates this year, her ceremony is next week, she is graduating from Sheffield University with a First in Music. She too is looking for work and heads down to Luton next week for an interview with a Charity who specialise in supporting young people. Jo produced an Exhibition for her music and health module on Self Harm, and this caught their eye. Her on line version of the exhibition is here, and in case anyone is wondering yes the exhibition was born out of personal experience.
Paul my eldest and his wife Louise also graduate this year, they are both 28, and decided to go for it and gain a degree. They met at college and have encouraged one another along, and have done it despite all the odds. Louise ( and now Paul of course) has three lovely girls, so they have studied, arranged a wedding, and have been bringing up three children all at once! Paul and Louise will graduate from Anglia Ruskin, Paul with a degree in English and History, Lou with a degree in Psychology. Lou is now teaching at a local High School, and Paul is looking ito teaching at an F.E.College.
Last but not least there is Emma, she will not graduate this year, she completed her degree 4 years ago now and has been studying towards an MA. She has steadily built a career in Peripatetic teaching ( cello and violin), and also plays with a number of orchestras and ensembles. She takes great delight in seeing the growing confidence of children who have discovered a talent in music, often when they have been pushed to the background elsewhere. Her students do well, and Emma rejoices with them!
Right now though all is in flux the younger three are all coming and going at different times, and I never know who will and who won't be here. Questions about their futures loom large, but there is always hope, and sometimes although things don't gop to plan they have a way of working out. The wonderful thing is that we can and do place our hope and trust in God. I was pleased yesterday when one of the members at a village Chapel told me that she could relate to "my" God, because he wasn't only interested in the succesful, and that I talked about difficulties and frustrations in relation to him as much as I do about joys and celebrations.
I hope that, that is true, I hope that I communicate and live out a living faith in one who accepts me as I am with all of my faults and flaws, but loves me too much to leave me that way. I hope that I communicate my dependence upon the ressurection power of the Holy Spirit working in and through me. I hope that people hear my prayer (in the words of the hymn by Jenny Hewer):
Father, I place into Your hands
The things I cannot do.
Father, I place into Your hands
The things that I’ve been through.
Father, I place into Your hands
The way that I should go,
For I
know I always can trust You.
Father, I place into Your hands
My friends and family.
Father, I place into Your hands
The
things that trouble me.
Father, I place into Your hands
The
person I would be,
For I know I always can trust You.
Father,
we love to see Your face,
We love to hear Your voice.
Father, we
love to sing Your praise
And in Your name rejoice.
Father, we
love to walk with You
And in Your presence rest,
For we know we
always can trust You.
Father, I want to be with You
And do the
things You do.
Father, I want to speak the words
That You are
speaking too.
Father, I want to love the ones
That You will draw
to You,
For I know that I am one with You.
...and are able to make it their own. As for me I wake up some mornings and wonder how it is that I am a Methodist Minister, where the faith came from, and why the Candidating panel didn't spot me fopr a fraud ( they might still)...
And all is change- for while our children have graduated, my husband Tim is off to Durham to study towards becoming a member of the Methodist Diaconate....
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