I feel like writing again, so I’m a going to write. It’s been a month since the last one, is that enough of a break?
I’m not sure what’s happened since the last ones, apart from we are emerging from lockdown, sort of. Chris has been back at work for ages and it almost feels like he was never off! We’re into what Ireland is calling phase 3, phase 4 has been delayed, I think that was opening the pubs (the ones that serve food are already open) and having larger indoor/outdoor gatherings etc.
It feels mighty weird to me at the moment, I mean, if it’s just you, I suppose you can go out and go into shops and around and about more easily, but with young children it isn’t that simple. They run about and touch things and the youngest definitely does not and should not be expected to understand any distancing. Plus, I know we can go to parks etc now, but I’m not sure how comfortable I am with that at the moment. Because on the one hand you’ve got encouragement to go out, wearing masks if you’re going shopping etc, but on the other hand, we’re still being told to limit contacts and keep local, but we can also go anywhere in Ireland if we want to. I suppose we’ll just have to decide what’s acceptable to us and stick with that, but it’s obviously not always easy with other people around either who have different ideas.
Getting that balance between what’s right and not just retreating because of fear is somewhat difficult I find. There doesn’t really need to be a rush with us either, because I don’t work outside the home, so I don’t think staying home for a while longer will hurt much, or just going out for walks etc.
We aren’t part of a local church yet, despite me being told that apparently we’re going to one in Manorhamilton (we aren’t), but we will be part of one soon. More on that, when it’s appropriate. I’m still taking part in the online church meetings which Church in the Peak in Matlock are still doing at the moment.
The chickens are getting huge! They run to see you when you walk up (they don’t like being picked up though). I keep hoping I’m wrong but I can’t help noticing that 2 or 3 of them now look as if they may be cockerels, I’m still hoping they aren’t, we really wanted more than 2 hens. By September we will know I would think. I’m going soft, and I’ve grown a little attached, I really don’t want to kill them if they are cockerels. I will, if I need to, but I don’t want to.
So! A little scripture to end on. I can’t help noticing that there’s a lot of ‘rights’ talk about at the moment. Whilst I don’t actually know the scripture that says ‘stick up for your Christian rights at all costs’, there’s actually more about looking after others who are vulnerable rather than shouting about our rights, this is pretty cool and very against the grain. Matthew 5:38-42.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
and it goes on to say about loving and praying for your enemies…Read it, it’s good!
Jesus is so heart wrenchingly good….and clear…and against the general worldly grain. I forget this stuff sometimes and then realise again and it’s like a gush of pure, unadulterated God love.
So hello and goodbye. I will write again soon.
Cathy.
The Shepherds Adventure 