Our zoom service today was taken from the materials supplied by Christian Aid.
There were a few things that caught my attention
My part in the service was to read 'Fridah's story'. She sold food in the market that she bought wholesale to make a precarious living to support her children and grandson. If she didn't sell enough, she couldn't eat.
I don't think I've ever had to go without food so that my children could eat.
That was something to think about.
Christian Aid has helped her by teaching her how to grow vegetables in a small space in cones; they create a tower of layers of terraces to make a water-saving way to grow a lot of veg in a small space
Once I restart my veg patch, I'll give some thought as to how I might be able to use this method. It's like a larger, rougher version of a strawberry tower.
....
Thirdly, one of the readings included this verse, Acts 17; v28
'for in Him we live and move and have our being'
I often think of the Holy Spirit being like pure air, in which we live and move and have our being. Rather like water for fish... without the water the fish cannot live, without air, we cannot live.
....
I persuaded myself to go for a walk; I'd had a restless night last night so was tired and grumpy, and outside it was cold and grey and, horrors, beginning to rain.
'Go on!' I said to myself. 'Give it a go; if you can't get all the way round at least you've tried.'
(I'm constantly talking to myself...)
Stepping out, I was actually surprised to find myself energised by the fresh air after being indoors all day, and surprised myself by feeling energised, and without too much grit or determination did the whole circuit.
The verse came back to mind... in Him.... this Hy Spirit, this Breath of God, we live and move and have our being.
Growing vegetables in terraces in order to save water makes a lot of sense.
ReplyDeleteI often feel energised by fresh air before or during rain. Nice to know you felt that too.
I was really surprised by how refreshed I felt when I stepped out into the cold grey outdoors!
DeleteThe Christian Aid envelope was through my letter box yesterday, it's the only charity that still has people going round delivering and then back again to collect.
ReplyDeleteI used to have mixed feelings about those envelopes... the only way to deal with them was to bung some change in straightaway and leave them ready for collection. Otherwise it was all too problematic at collection time.
DeleteI also used to do Christian Aid collections for my road... so I've experienced it from both sides.
I was trying to stand outside briefly first thing in the morning, just to breathe in fresh air and enjoy the morning sunlight. But recently some bad nights have left me slow off the mark. I must be more disciplined!
ReplyDeleteOne, or, worse, several bad nights can derail everything. My husband will eye me up and then offer to go and buy something for lunch rather than risk whatever miscalculated meal I'm liable to concoct... I hope you are back to sleeping better.
DeleteIt is amazing what fresh air can do. I force myself to walk each day when the weather is not clement, and I have to say I always feel better, whether that is the fresh air or my managing to force my stubborn mind to give in and walk, I don't know, maybe a bit of both. Bad nights really affect our equilibrium don't they? You are doing very well with your walks, as my sons used to say when they were boys, "Give yourself a pat on the back". Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteAll the stuff you read everywhere on the benefits of getting outside, even if only by looking through an open window, do appear to be true! I am feeling pleased with myself - so far, so good...
DeleteMy mother went without food for us. Those sort of memories leave deep tracks.
ReplyDeleteWell done getting out for a walk. Taking those first steps is so hard, and you did it!
I've not consciously thought about the Holy Spirit. I guess that I thought that the Holy Spirit was all around and also passing through me, like I was insubstantial, but leaving good things as it passed.
That was tough for your mother.
DeleteYou are right - whatever it is, getting started is often the sticking point. Things just seem like too much hassle - finding my shoes, putting on a coat, looking for the keys...
I think I understand what you mean when you say 'insubstantial'; it's not that we barely exist or register to the passing Spirit, but that our bodies provide no barrier to him/her/it?
Yes, I can't remember the verses but paraphrasing about knowing the hairs on our head, so we're never unknown, but that He can move through us without hindrance.
DeleteThe vegetable cone is a brilliant idea and should be widely promoted.
ReplyDeleteI can't remember the last time we received any sort of charity envelope. They were a nuisance, either forgotten, or filled and not collected.
I do agree about charity envelopes! At least I can re-use the charity donation bags that arrive every few days - and sometimes I even put something in them and leave them out (but NOT on the actual pavement; people in other council areas have been hit by significant fines for 'fly-tipping' because of a charity bag overlapping the boundary!)
DeleteA nurse that my husband used to work with had a mother who was an alcoholic. She didn't really look after them very well when they were little and one day, she and her brother were so hungry, and there was nothing in the cupboards, so they drank pickle juice, thinking it might help a bit with their hunger. We don't really know half of what is going on in the world.
ReplyDeleteThat's the issue isn't it, that we know it happens 'somewhere in a foreign country' but school teachers I knew who were teaching in this apparently affluent small town knew it was happening to young children in their classes. I do my main grocery shop on-line, and they have a scheme where I can add a donation for a food bank charity, which they match. So I do.
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