News from the Guardians

More than ever am I grateful to live by a way of life!

Last week at the Christian Resources Exhibition we saw so many folk who longed to pray more, to be still more, and to have simpler lives but just could not get it together to begin. Self-discipline is a hard word to use but when you have a way of life that is made to fit you and to the way that God is calling you – which is much the same thing except that you are listening to the Spirit instead of being pre-occupied with yourself – it doesn’t feel like we think self-discipline should feel. It’s like eating good food instead of junk: when we do we feel and look good but sometimes we make mistakes and need to say no to the junk food but really that is not a big deal, just takes a little care.  Living by a way of life, particularly a rhythm of prayer, is so unbelievably life giving. And I will thank God for this way as long as I live.

And for the rhythm of life – it is spring and ducks must travel, so our mini monsters keep wondering off around the village. Yesterday, while Martin and I were out all day, the ducks wandered off to check out the neighbours and a dear neighbour brought them back. She said ‘I thought they were yours, but knew that if they weren’t you’d be happy with three more!!’ And then they got out again. By the time we got home, they’d been so well fed by folks giving them bread that they could barely waddle up the hill to our house. This morning I mended the hole. A little enforced containment, but they are safe here and can thrive and grow, bit like putting a little constraint on our time by a prayer rhythm.