my heart on a blog plate - a pause in Advent {week 3}

This advent post has come of a bit of a surprise to me, because i have been thinking a lot about what to say this week, and i think what i want to say most of all, is nothing.
Not that there is nothing to say, but that i have run out of steam, and blogging is the furtherest thing in my heart to do lately.
I wonder what if in ten year's time, any of my blogosphere friendships will matter?
I wonder whether this is time really best spent?
What i perished next week, what would it say on my epitaph?  'She blogged'.
I wonder what the point of all the pretty things is i look at?
Then, there is blog / craft envy.  I don't need that.  Does any of us?

A friend of mine, many years ago, told me of his little interest in watching tv.  What is the point, he said, of himself watching other people live their lives?  Sometimes, i feel very much, that is what the blogosphere is like?
Can you relate?
I need a break, folks.  Is that alright?
It's not that i spend oodles of time, posting...but i do spent lots of time composing posts in my head. (some never make it to 'print'!)  My headspace if you like, is full of blog posts...and i really want it to be thinking of other stuff.  Stuff that my heart is longing to be.
I'll be back, i promise.  One thing i won't promise, is when. (Maybe it'll be for a pause for Advent week 4!)

It's summer.  I want to spend time with my kids.
I want to live.
This could be a spiritual awakening.  This is good.  Christmas time always has me thinking about the disparity between the poor and the rich. 

A few things I have learned about myself this year:
I can spent as much on thrifted items, as new ones.
I have said yes, when i should have said no.
I have missed opportunities.
I have rekindled friendships.
I have said no to some friendships.
I never gonna get 'it' 100% perfect.
The candle is burning, and yet it will never be extinguished.

God bless you all.

Who knows what other revelations will appear?...read the posts by other 'a pause for Advent'urers at Floss' place.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Why Worry about Christmas? - a pause in Advent {week 2}

True story #1
Today I learned about some friends who lost their massive shed, 2 cars, precious family memories (including her mum and dad's heritage wedding photos), in a fire that raged into the night, and only ended in the wee hours this morning.  Thankfully, no-one was hurt, and their house was spared.
True story #2
Exactly one year + 1 day ago, I posted about a true miracle in every sense of the word - even now as I am more aware of the details of that story, it is the stuff of awe.

The son of our friends who lost their shed, walked down their driveway to the road, with a flashtorch, to wait & beacon the fire trucks.  (They live on a quiet, rural road).   Almost immediately, someone happened to be driving past, & stopped to help. (not the called fire brigade).  The person who stopped was a fire-fighter.
Some might call it a co-incidence, some call it a GOD-incidence.   It alters your perspective.

Both sets of friends in story 1 & 2 believe in a sovereign God.
One that is in full control of everything that happens to us, good and bad.
They both believe in the end, whatever happens in this life, is a small matter compared to a future glory.

When yucky stuff seems to happen around Christmas time, do you think maybe it's amplified just a little?
I'm hearing of people's cancers returning, having to spend time away from family at Christmas time.  It's a really difficult time of year to be dealing with this stuff, when there is so much pressure all around to 'be happy', and enjoy the festivities of the season.
I think Christmas brings up a lot of stuff - literally and figuratively speaking. 
I think Christmas is about everything.

Worry - plastic tree vs real tree
Worry - how much to spend on presents?
Worry - what should we eat? Who's house this year?  Kris Kringle?  Turkey or Ham? Both?
Worry - eco present vs big box convenience vs ethical giving vs handmade.
Worry - what do we believe?  I mean really?  How do we make it meaningful for the kids, without being religious?
Worry - recycle wrapping.
Worry - ???

You know that expression, 'the devil's in the details'?  Or, 'God is in the details'?
For some reason, all last week, that has been in my head.
And then after that I watched a couple of shows - Richard Hammond's 'Invisible Worlds' - nanoscale facts that knocked-me-off-my-feet.   But as I watched Immortal last evening, (watch it here), I was compelled to learn about an enzyme (called telomeres) that can cause cells to 'live' forever, or cause cancer (well that's the simplified verson!).  It's all a delicate balance.

The 'hook' at the end of the show, was that by worrying less, and treating your body kindly, you can actually over time increase the length of the telomeres, thus lengthening your life, (if you are already suffering chronic stress).

Now, here I'll quote Jesus! 
'Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?'
Matthew 6:27

Nuh!

I think God is in the details...as nano science reveals, is full of design.  Something so beautiful as a snowflake, is full of design.  God's design work is in everything!  It's not a hodgepodge potluck.

above image

all others images from here.

I think God cares about the little stuff that happens to us, as much as the big stuff.
The God of the macro, the God of the micro.

'Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.'
Luke 12:7

More bloggers thoughts on 'Advent' - lighthearted and meaningful over at Floss' place.

a pause in Advent - 'the rule of reciprocity'

I'm joining Floss from 'Troc, Broc and Recup' again this year, as a collective of bloggers, who are posting each Sunday or Monday, about what they find meaningful at this time of year leading up to Christmas.  Just click on the side bar on this blog, and look for this 'a pause in Advent' logo, to find the others participating.

Whilst my intention isn't to be super freaky religious, (and scare you all away!), but if I'm to think about this seriously at all, I am going to reflect personally on those things I 'do' and 'believe' at Christmas time.  Stuff that challenges my very status quo.
My first post is simply an extract of a devotional written by the late Selwyn Hughes ~~ and it's all about giving.

'If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?' - Matthew 5:46

'The general view of love is that it involves reciprocity.  In every part of the world, and in every culture, this is an unspoken rule of social life.  If I buy you a coffee this obligates you to say 'thank you' and perhaps, at some time in the future, to buy me one.
The rule is this:  we should appreciate things done for us and return people's favours.  People are considered rude when they break the unwritten rule of reciprocity.  Gifts need to be of a similar value.  Giving a cheap gift to someone when he or she has given us an expensive one makes us feel uncomfortable.  Forgetting to send a Christmas card to a person who has sent us one, and finding it is too late to make the exchange, can dampen the delights of Christmas.  Some are not beyond manipulating relationships for personal gain by deliberately building up a sense of indebtedness in others.  If we want a favour from someone we take that person out to lunch, thus putting them in a position where turning us down might make them feel awkward.'
In the verse above in blue, 'Jesus cuts through this social norm and shows that agape love stretches far beyond the rule of reciprocity.  Agape love is not returning smile for smile, or favour for favour.
The Samaritan didn't play by the rule of reciprocity when he got off his donkey to help the injured traveller.  He far exceeded it .  The law of 'tit for tat' - of measure for measure - is out:  the new law of excess is in. The old law has been overtaken - by agape.'

Hope you have a great week ♥