No Trousers

I had a weird dream last night. I was on a course that started early in the morning. Friends and colleagues were also there. We were working out where to go as there were lots of people in an unfamiliar building.

I looked down. I wasn’t wearing any trousers! I was deeply embarrassed. I had no means of getting home to find appropriate clothing. I left my friends. Many strangers were milling around. I went outside, alone, anxious, exposed, upset. I didn’t know what to do…

…Musing on folks facing 2025… lonely, vulnerable, uncertain. Three conversations yesterday… ‘I can’t forgive myself for the way I’ve treated my daughter…’ ‘My sick husband brings daily uncertainty…’ ‘My previous job made me ill; I’ve applied for another…’

…Recalling the expression ‘all mouth and no trousers’… meaning loud-mouthed and boastful, but lacking in substance. (I think there’s a similar American expression ‘all hat and no cattle’) It’s easy to give trite answers, offer hollow advice, quote Christian clichés. Trouser-less words.

Because it’s the beginning of the year I’ve returned to the beginning of my Bible…

…Yesterday a friend posted this beautiful picture of the sun rising over the sea – a regular sight here. Through 2025 there will still be sand to walk along, the sea to walk beside, a sun that rises, and a God who saw all that he had made and it was good.

…And within a few pages Adam and Eve have disobeyed God and are evicted from the garden; Adam was certainly all mouth and no trousers! Then Cain has murdered his brother. The package that recently arrived with the instructions: ‘‘Please handle me gently, deliver me safely, open me carefully’ gives much better advice regarding our relationships and 2025.

…But then there was Enoch who ‘walked with God’. Walking with God through 2025 seems to be a good inspiration for prayer for others, and a good aspiration for me. Walking with God through 2025… with or without my trousers of loneliness, vulnerability and uncertainty…

9 thoughts on “No Trousers

  1. Malcolm, I can relate to this post (with my trousers!). I began a new whole year Bible Recap. It was a beautiful quiet morning~ Genesis 1.
    Got a text that an evil act occurred in New Orleans. My cousin and her family are there~ son wanted to celebrate 16th bday at the Sugar Bowl~ missed being in that street by an hour and 1/2.
    Evil. Humanity. The fall of man. I’ll continue walking with God in 2025. God help us all.
    I can’t imagine living without my communion with Christ. Our only hope! God bless you and yours. Happy New Year!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Karla. Yesterday I finished Revelation. This morning I started Genesis again. I have several schemes that take me through the Bible each year. Sorry to hear about your family in New Orleans.

      Happy New Year to you too!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. All is well, Malcolm! Thank God! I feel sad for all the victims.
        I’m trying a new study this year. And a lot more books to read! Here we go! I’m so happy to have another year! Take care, my friend.

        Liked by 1 person

  2. You are certainly blessed to be able to view such a beautiful sunset so often. Yes, what God made is very good! I hope you received lots of trousers for Christmas so your nightmares will cease. 🙂

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