Stirring It Up

Yesterday twelve of us met up at Beryl’s house in Norfolk; most of us had trained together as teachers 50+ years ago.

We talked, ate, walked, laughed, reminisced; we shared news about families, churches, medical conditions; we enjoyed Dave’s stories… asking for a spanner to milk a bull – and being given a ladle… being required to include ‘bra-strap’ (or was it ‘boob-job?’) into a sermon.

Tomorrow, the Sunday before Advent, is ‘Stir Up Sunday’. Apparently the Victorians thought they’d invented it, celebrating the day when they made and stirred their Christmas puddings.

However, Anglican Christians, on the Sunday before Advent, for many years before Victorian Christmas puddings, had prayed: ‘Stir up. O Lord, the wills of your faithful people, that they, bringing forth the fruit of good works, may by you be richly rewarded: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.’

For us, yesterday was ‘Stir up Friday’, stirring up…

…Memories… of good times enjoyed together, burdens carried together, weddings and funerals shared together.

…Recognition… that times shared all those years ago give us a mutual understanding and care that the years haven’t removed.

…Reassurance… that we’ve each known the presence, guidance, peace and strength of our God throughout our lives.  

…Gratitude… for families, friends, lives well lived, the God who’s always in control – even when we don’t understand how and why.

…Thoughts… of our own mortality… in John Newton’s words: ‘Tis grace that brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.’

Musing… the morning after the day before…

…Paul’s words to Timothy: ‘Stir up the gift of God which is in you.’ I pray that my friends won’t ‘retire’, but will continue to use their clearly-evident God-given gifts and talents.

…Encouragement in Hebrews: ‘Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.’ I pray for that continuing mutual encouragement, love and support, with which we change each other for the better.

… Tomorrow’s collect: ’Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people…’