Field Mouse Lessons

A couple of weeks ago I was concerned; in moving my compost heap I may have made a field-mouse-family homeless…

I started a new compost heap… leaves, kitchen waste, grass cuttings… A week later I looked … two happy looking mice were running around doing mousy things in the compost. I needn’t have worried.

On Tuesday I took grandchildren Hannah and Luca to see… a field-mouse-family of 4 scampering around… healthy, active…

Watching yesterday’s news … Ukraine continues to shock and sadden – hospitals, schools and orphanages bombed… the biggest refugee crisis in living memory… growing danger, desperation – and defiance…

Chatting to Derek yesterday… His physical and mental health concerns… various medication… complex family issues… anxiety about his uncertain work situation…

Musing… field mouse lessons…

Resilience… Despite my compost heap destruction field-mouse-family continues and thrives. We admire and respect resilient Ukrainians facing tragedy with courage, dignity and determination; Derek will face today’s joys and challenges.

Bigger world… Field-mouse-family only know life at the top of our garden; they don’t know that the world’s bigger… Ukraine’s problems can be all-consuming; Derek can be caught up in his anxieties; there’s a bigger world with other difficulties and suffering – but also strength, beauty and hope.

Beauty… Amongst the rotting, apparently useless compost there’s the beauty of field-mouse-family… amongst the suffering in Ukraine there’s the beauty of proud Ukrainians… selfless giving in Polish refugee centres… creative generosity of local people organising the shipment of aid. And Derek has a beautiful newly-born baby grand-daughter.

Musing… Jesus’ words…

‘Consider the ravens: they do not sow or reap… yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable are you than birds (or mice)! Why do you worry…?

Consider how the lilies grow… If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire (or on the compost heap) how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith.’

Musing… the God of Ukraine, Derek and Field-mouse-family…