It’s All Happening!

It’s all happening on our bird feeders. The current cold weather has brought chaffinches, goldfinches and a host of other small birds – as well as ‘Woody’ the woodpecker who’s a regular visitor. They’re all enjoying their breakfast.

I hear a noise. I look out the window. The air ambulance has just landed opposite our house. Blue lights are flashing, a police car drives past… a fire engine…

I look at ‘Lowestoft Journal’ online… ‘A fire has broken out at a house in Stradbroke Road, Lowestoft… Fire crews were called to the scene just before 8.40am this morning… A road closure is in place at Stradbroke Road… Six fire crews are at the scene…’

It’s that time of year where it’s all happening… There’s carol services and Christmas shows… presents to buy, food to prepare… and we still haven’t put up our Christmas decorations…

I flash back to Christmas in schools… parties, discos, concerts, Christmas dinner, carols… many happy memories of it all happening.’

The Air Ambulance takes off. It’s all happening!

Musing…

…When I focus on ‘it’s all happening’ I can lose sight of the people. In the excitement of helicopters and fire engines I can forget the people whose house is burnt, perhaps people are injured, people in the emergency services involved…

…The very act of musing requires me to step away from my ‘it’s all happening’ world. I reflect, appreciate, ponder… deepening my awareness of the world around me… I recall the old cliché: ‘We’re human beings not human doings’…

… This morning I read: ‘Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewellery or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.’(1 Peter 3:3-4)

…It’s all happening? I still hope so, but I pray for that beauty, gentleness and value which continues when the happenings no longer happen.