Day 28 - Calendar

Day 29 - Radio

So as I catch up, having missed yesterday because things didn't entirely go to plan (mostly in a highly positive way) it amuses me that the objects calendar and radio are forced together...

The calendar (or diary) tells me what day it is and what I have planned for the day ahead, the radio wakes me up (if the kitties haven't already sone so) with news of the wider world and the inane, enjoyable chatter of the early morning show.

The 'official' reflections are about significant dates and about hearing God's voice, each of which is worthwhile pondering.  I'm just amused that at the start of another full day, having snatched an extra 30 minutes rest listening to music radio, these are the object to consider.

God, you sometimes speak in whispers, in silence, in others.... and, for me, in 'things that make you go, 'hmmm...'' Thank you for 'hmmm' moments.

This centrepiece was prepared and ready when I arrived for yesterday's evening service.

A reflection on the mystery of repentance and reconciliation, connectedness and interconnectedness. The knots were for prayers.

It was very beautiful. Thank you, P.

Today it's not so much an object as a range of possible objects - keepsakes.  The things we keep to remember people or places, but in this case especially people who have died.

I kept my Mum's pyrex measuring jug and her ancient tablespoon - practical objects that connect me with her, and with the past, but which have value and purpose in the present.

When my grandma died, my Mum decided which keepsakes we were each given, so I had some beads, long since given away. More recently, I fell heir to my grandparents fish kives and forks, which languish in a cupboard.

The 'keepsakes' Jesus left were not permanent objects but lasting ordinances (my choice of words here!) bread broken, wine poured, memories remembered.

Thank you, God, for memories, and for mementoes, for all they symbolise and signify. May memories inspire hopeful living now and always. Amen.

Today's object - or objects - is family photograph(s) and the very real question, who is my family?

It's a nice straight forward one today, recognising that the nuclear family is but one model among many, and that 'family' may in fact be found in intentional community.

Building on our service this morning, and the idea of dignity, self-worth and being cherished, maybe that's what family is about.  We don't always get it right, and sometimes we get it very wrong, but it's a very worthwhile aspiration.

In my opinion, today's 'object' and connection are especially tenuous.... electricity (more a phenomenon than an object, I'd argue) and Peter walking on water.  The link is about faith - faith that the electricty that flows round our homes will do its job and not kill us, faith that would allow Peter to step out onto the water and not sink.  Not a convincing link in my opinion.

Perhaps I am being unfair. The author's intended reader will not have an engineering degree, will not even have an 'O level/GCSE/O-grade/Standard 5 physics/science understanding of electricity.  He assumes, it seems to me, someone who plugs in, switches on and the magic happens.  We know that electricity and water don't mix (or actually, do mix rather spectacularly!) but no more than that.

However, faith is not just a shorthand for 'I don't understand but it seems to work', and lack of faith is not a failure to believe hard enough. When I did the fire walk a few weeks ago, part of the training session focussed on the 'science' (albeit in simplified form) but understanding wasn't enough to make the walk possible. Faith includes trust. I had to trust the woman doing the training, and the people there to ensure our safety, otherwise I would not have been able to take that first step.

If it had been me, and it wasn't, I might have tried to find a way to use electricity as a metaphor for the Holy Spirit, untameable but orderly, enlivening and empowering ordinary people for extraordinary service.

Pace Gordon Giles, you made me think, but not as you hoped!