Pirates Aboard

The day started out quite normal, we were expecting visitors but not quite the upheaval that followed. A small family who's visit expanded and didn't leave us till early evening; how I was looking forward to switching off and having some peace and quiet. How can one child have so much energy and captivate me, drawing me into his imagination and excitement.

The first strategy was to occupy this little 2 year old through a children's Tv programme, (there not being many toys or games around the friary). This soon wore thin though there was some interest in a Pirate ship, I set out to find some soft cushions, material and other bits and pieces. Before long we had a mighty galleon - a Pirate ship complete with hat and cutlass, (we couldn't get the parrot to stay on his shoulder).

Through the day these component parts became a racing car and a space shuttle, I wonder who's imagination was the greater? There seemed to be bursts of energy, tearing around on all fours and climbing all over me; what fun!

It was a welcome break to accept the job of washing up after the meal, I was happy to suggest the rest of the group left me to it. Soon I was down to the last of the cutlery, amongst the soapy water I could hear a last spoon or fork but where was it? I fumbled and pushed my fingers against the bottom of the sink till I had covered the whole area, but it was nowhere to be found. This didn't make sense, I knew it was there - I could hear it and sensed where it should be. Finally I had it, the little boys plastic spoon; no wonder I couldn't find it, it was almost floating. I expected to find a metal spoon at the bottom of the sink, I was surprised how confused I was and how I would not turn away from what I expected. I laughed and thought, how typical of me; I fix my mind on what I expect, what I assume should happen and often reject any possible alternatives. Then, as the truth emerges it is obvious and as if I had always known it.

Note to memo: Lord keep me from revelations and awaken me to the things I have always known.
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Many pieces

The friary is a hive of activity and relating it to bee's is the right thing to do; for it is in each person doing their part that enables it all to be done. Now I have noticed that some seem to be less busy than others, they seem to be quite content and blissfully unaware of the doings. This is not a winge on my part as I tend to be more content when I am busy. I guess I may be a little jealous; I find it difficult to set time aside for myself doing something I have wanted to do for a long time. Not being short on ideas and activities, projects and exploring; my head is like a library, full of books just waiting to be read - new knowledge - new skills. To be able to draw (successfully), paint, unlock the secrets of the stars or on a more practical side sort out the old family photos left by Aunt Mary.

It was during a time of searching through this library wondering what to start next that I decided to do a jigsaw. Realistically this was not a good idea as I did have a lot of other unfinished jobs and a 1,000 piece jigsaw of Notre Dame Cathedral is not a 5 minute task. It would on the other hand be some time on my own doing something I enjoy and I could leave it for a while and return now and then when I had time. There was a wind coming in off the sea and the weather looked bleak as I took myself off to the back room; the window looks out onto a most uninteresting part of the garden (no distractions), I turned up the radiator and began to clear the table.

For those of you familiar with jigsaws, it is a serious business and preparation is all important. Starting with the outside pieces, I remember my older sister always writing on the box (for next time) the number of outside pieces. It is not always easy to know whether you have the outside pieces in the right place - until you have the inside pieces (so that would be near enough for now). So there is a logical way of doing a jigsaw and it will depend very much on how difficult the picture is and everyone has their own way. Don't you just love it when there are lots of pieces that are clearly for one area or another but shades of autumn leaves, large areas of sky - paths - grass and roof!
I like to get on with a job and see it done, if there are going to be delays and lengthy tedious tasks - I loose faith that the job will ever be complete. The more I think about the jigsaw, the more it looks like my ever growing list of incomplete jobs; of course I could have chosen not to start it.

Focusing on the pieces my mind flits from one colour to the next, that surely goes to the bottom left and - isn't that part of the top window - perhaps I will just concentrate on the centre isle. Maybe I should learn to focus on one thing at a time and not be distracted till the first part is complete. I hope to tell you next week of my progress.
Note to evening office: in the chaos there is order - only visible after the event .

Night noises

Last night as I settled down to sleep, I was aware of noises around the friary. Everyone had retired some time ago and would be sound asleep by now. It was a still night and the moon shone through the trees (I like to leave my curtains open once I am in bed). The old friary has many rooms and corridors and it seemed as if I could hear it's groans and creaks from one end to the other. During the warmer months of the year you can expect the old building to creak a little as it cools down but this is autumn and far from warm. I was tempted to take a walk through to the other wing but sleep was calling and I was past the point of slumbers.

Voices in the kitchen and mutterings in the library, footsteps in the hallway and a general buzz through the house. How was I to get to sleep? It had been a busy day with guests, always good to see folk and listen to their stories; they come - some to unload and some just to find space. For the brothers it is a time of fuss and busyness, preparing food and making things comfortable whilst being available. A group in the library were pouring out their hearts while brothers in the kitchen were worried there would not be enough soup.

All in all it was a good day the echoes raced through my mind and I tried to quieten them. I began to walk through the day, praying a blessing as I went; through the corridors and rooms pausing for a while and bringing to mind our visitors. The old friary was settled and somewhere along the way I slipped into sleep (hope I didn't miss anyone out).
Note to office; a walk before sleep is very beneficial.

Post-it's

Life seems quite stressful recently and I am not getting my regular messages out. The intention was to complete one every Sunday as that was the only time I got to use the friary PC. Now with my new Laptop I have no excuses; but can I find the time? Your taking on too much says brother Cyril (for once he could be right), ships need to come into harbour - cars into garages; and we need to take our rest, Cyril; what are you like?

I am surviving on Post-It's at the moment, they seem to be popping up all over the place. I have this idea that God has a large pad of Post-it's and is leaving them around for me to find, they make me smile and remember who is important and why I am busy doing the stuff I do. These may sound like trivial things to you; for instance, the other day I was anxious to complete a task for someone and at the last minute I found a snag - what was I going to do? A quick look through a few boxes and I found what I needed and counted out to see how many I had. Not one too many, not one too few - exactly the number I needed. Coincidence, I don't think so. Nature also stops me in my tracks, the beauty of Autumn - just as Summer is fading we are treated to an amazing display of colour. Why is it trees seem far more interesting in the fall than the early or mid stages of their cycle? There is hope for us old'ns yet.

Note to evening office: How many Post-it's did you find today.

A place of prayer

This prayer seems to be cropping up in lots of places at the moment and well worth including here.

A Franciscan Benediction

May God bless you with discomfort
At easy answers, half truths and superficial relationships,
So that you may live deep within your heart

May God bless you with anger
At injustice, oppression and exploitation of people,
So that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war,
So that you may reach out your hand to comfort and
To turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness
To believe that you can make a difference in the world,
So you can do what others claim cannot be done
To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor

To find a space, set aside time is never easy, especially when the doing is so important.
Last week I spent a day at Ministeracres with a great bunch of folk; all in similar ministries and needing time out to be.
In the opening session it was very clear to me I was in the right place.........
Note to morning office: Schedule more time throughout the day to lay down the "doing".

Whitby trip

A day out at Whitby; the photo's say it all - fresh air and a cup of coffee at Smugglers cafe. Mmmm





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I am fascinated by the different levels on this picture.

Back to black

Being away from the friary so long, I feel like an alien - a stranger in my own back yard. The garden is looking unkempt reflecting the way I feel though the silver birch is looking good! There have been changes, which were not on the horizon before I went away and fitting back in is a struggle. Many years ago my family had a dog and while on holiday he would be left at the kennels. There was an initial fuss when we returned, then we got the sulk treatment (you left me at the kennels. I thought you weren’t coming back). Life here of course has not changed in relation to the occupants, but I have been elsewhere.

My conversation is briefly acknowledged and I try not to sound as if I had a wonderful time; BUT I DID!
The first excursion was to a small seaside town, quiet and very clean. A short retreat, which I was in much need of, the programme was varied and included time to stretch our legs down to the beach (the photo is a few of my friends looking out to sea). There was a good balance of thought, prayer, sharing and laughter and we finished with a pub lunch on the Sunday.
Exploring the theme "Journey" we used a large rail card to write on, our destination / starting point / what we will take. I am pleased to have kept mine as the memory fades quickly and some of my writing I felt was important to me.

Leeds mission week was tiring, I am beginning to feel my age, we had some younger folk on the team and I was happy to do some of the cooking. The team were encouraged by the number of times we were in the right place at the right time even though it was not planned. God blesses a willing heart and makes good use of opportunities. The use of dance and drama on the streets drew young people to us and in Millennium square Saturday (after midnight) revellers joined in with us and shared some of their stories. Leeds is not a stranger to gun crime, terrorism and it was a privilege to be among many folk young and old as we served in school, church, street, pubs and clubs.

Last night was a pleasant surprise, a visitor who I had not seen for some time. It was a joy to hear how his journey with the Lord recently had taken off with a whoosh! The excitement and joy in his awareness of Gods presence was evident; and the sense it was not in his own strength moreover it was something he felt he did not deserve but in his service to others he was becoming all that God had in store for him. This was not the same young man I knew before, we prayed before he left and promised to meet again soon.

Note to evening office: Lord may I not despair but hold on to the hope I have in you.