Today I have done nothing I planned to do, but feel that I have, after all, achieved more than I hoped for (even in sabbaticals, the interruptions can be the most meaningful, it seems).

All of which reminded me of this prayer:

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.

I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for health, that I might do greater things.

I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy.

I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power that I might have the praise of men.

I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.

I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for but got everything I had hoped for.

Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.

I am, among all people, most richly blessed.

I am getting back into the swing of starting my day with PAYG... how easy it is to let 'spiritual disciplines' slide, especially in an age of instant everyhting.  Anyhow, today's passage was part of Philippians 3, including Paul's assertion that:

For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him (Phil 3:8b NRSV)

Oh dear, sorry Paul, I cannot regard all things as rubbish, not even if I restrict that to the material, and absolutely not if I allow the more abstract things that delight...

Thank you, God, for Pauline rubbish:

For the warm, soft fur of pussy-cat cuddles

The sunlight playing on the chimney stacks of Victorian houses

The summer breeze tousling hair and tickling skin

The soaring crescendo of birdsong, and pop-song, and symphonic works

Thank you, God, for Pauline rubbish

For the laughter of a shared ridiclous experience

The 'aha' moments of new knowledge or insight

The heartaching privilege of sharing others' pain

The gentle silence of contentment

Thank you, God, for Pauline rubbish

Your outrageously geneous gifts of grace

Physical

Emotional

Spiritual

Better is one day lived in a Pauline rubbish dump, than a thousand elsewhere.