Lines and Squares by A.A. Milne (of Winnie the Pooh fame): As a child I enjoyed this poem. I walked down the street making sure I avoided the lines and walked in the squares. It was always good to arrive at my destination having escaped the bears… Getting there… bear-free.
Yesterday I chatted to Ruth. Ruth’s been a good friend for many years. ‘How are you?’ I asked.
‘I’m getting there,’ was her answer. We know something of where she has been: Ruth’s enjoyed good times in her life but she’s also been through some really tough times – sadness, disappointment, bereavement. We talked about where she is now: some days still aren’t easy, but she has faith and friends. Yesterday she was smiling and strong.
‘I’m getting there? Where’s ‘there?’’ I asked. Ruth’s not sure, but that’s OK.
Reading Jesus’ words from Matthew’s gospel this morning:
‘Anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.’ (10:38-39)
‘Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.’ (11:28)
Musing… ‘Getting there’… tough times… finding life… finding rest… figuring it out isn’t always easy.
Reading ‘Redeeming Love’. Set in 19th Century California, Angel is sold into prostitution as a child. Michael, a good, honest, loving farmer marries Angel, taking her from the brothel to life in the country…
Angel remains angry, bitter and fearful. Her past makes her resistant to Michael’s love… there are times when you feel ‘she’s getting there’… Michael remains strong and consistent… Angel feels guilty and undeserving. The plot has unexpected twists and turns… when you think things will be resolved something goes wrong.
Yesterday I finished the book. There’s a happy ending… Angel gets there… I think Ruth will too…
Still musing on ‘getting there’… figuring out Jesus’ route and method… and still watching out for the bears.
malcolmsmusings.org 