Coming second isn't always bad

The image that accompanies this blog is Buzz Aldrin - the second man to walk on the moon. Almost everyone knows that Neil Armstrong was first, many can quote his words 'this us one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind'. Buzz was second - but what a second place to be! 

The challenge today is not to do what I want but to give the day entirely to someone else. In the main this will be Catherine, my wife.

Now here's the weird thing - she already had today planned out last week. The conversation started like this:

Catherine: you know we're off next week?

Me: yes, anything particular you want to do?

Catherine: no, there's nothing I need to do but I'll be going to George Steven Centre on Wednesday morning. I don't feel I can't go just because I'm on holiday.

Me: but we're off, they'll understand.

Catherine: but I can't not go, I must go.

Honestly I wasn't very pleased. We very rarely get uninterrupted holidays - especially with the easy access of emails etc, but, you see, Catherine has just undertaken a three month sabbatical cover as Chaplain at the George Steven Centre which caters for adults with learning difficulties. It is a ministry and a people that she loves. She's right - she couldn't not go because it's not work, it's ministry. Holidays and time off are not a right or a privilege, they are God's gift for Him to give or withold.

Within a few minutes I was over it - and it turns out Catherine had other thoughts for the rest of the day as well.

So today I will come second after my wife - and others as the day progresses - and I do so willingly knowing that the benefits of coming second are not all that bad after all. 

I know that often I'll get a buzz from not being first!

(Acknowledgement to Bake Designs for Buzz Aldrin inspiration!)

Reflect

Today is technically a 'rest' day in Lent.

For those fulfilling #40acts of generosity it is a good day to reflect or catch up, or make up your own generosity acts.

First some reflection for me.

Ok, I always look rough in the morning... Sorry not that sort of reflection.

Yesterday was a 'no screen, turn it off' day.

There was something of the revision about it: remember that day early in Lent when we had to really listen and engage with the people we met? What about the one where we had to really appreciate others? And then, of course, there was this week when we intentionally spoke to strangers. These were all wrapped up in yesterday. I ended up having some lovely conversations with people I had not met before. I also had some beautiful conversation with one of my sons and an ongoing one with my wife, Catherine. 

I felt there was a connection with people yesterday because I didn't even have my phone with me and so couldn't look at it and I could be totally present for them. Maybe it's all sinking in now.

Jesus never had a phone, or a tablet, or a PC, but he did spend time with people at a previously unknown depth - he spoke to people about their lives and set them out in a new way.

Maybe the 'no screen' thing should happen more often... 

(The fact you're reading this is ironic though don't you think?)

Listen, just listen

As I write a programme is on TV in the hotel in which I am staying. It's called "The Real Housewives of New Jersey". Repeatedly this programme features heated confrontation - often over very minor issues - with lots of raised voices and animated gesticulation.

On this day of listening it seems a bit weird to have this programme on - but also a reminder of the proportionality of listening and speaking: when God created us he gave us two ears and one mouth. Use them in proportion to their distribution.

Because I have been travelling for most of today the opportunity for listening has been limited... Or has it? Spending brief moments this morning with my team I tried very deliberately to 'hear' everything they were saying. Travelling with Catherine, my wife, enabled me to listen carefully to what she was saying. Most precious of all were moments of prayer this morning that were listening moments. The confidence of God's presence was tangible from these earliest moments of the day - I've tried to keep listening to Him throughout today - and it's not finished yet...

I'm listening...

What a weekend!

No not partying 'til I drop but following that sometimes narrow road up to the Caithness Coast, spending time with my boys and lovely wife who is thankfully getting stronger by the day although tiring very quickly.
Spending time with good people and remembering that experience is no preparation for personal pain particularly when someone is taken from us - their earthly life coming to an end their eternal life continuing but those who have ministered to them as friends are left with real pain and the challenge of continuing in relevant ministry, yet our God who calls home is the same God who equips for the day to day ministry of caring that continues. A new friend of mine is in my prayers as he faces the prospect of ongoing care for family members as well as pastoral care for others around the fellowship.
Having thought a lot about death in recent days I am now convinced more than ever of God's overall control and our utter helplessness in the face of that plan so that our faith is all we are left with - that and the knowledge that it is not until Jesus is all we have that we realise that he really is all we need.