Peace On Earth
It was a hard weekend.
Being reminded of the darkness (again)…
The hatred bubbling over into terrible action.
Choices – actions – that are hard to understand –
and some reactions that inflamed rather than soothed.
I don’t know what to say, really.
This is a season that heralds peace. Joy. Hope.
But it has always been in the context of a darkened world.
And so, I will pray.
Because I believe that to be a powerful place to start.
But I will also pay attention to the marginalised, and oppressed. The ones who don’t live in the same level of ease and safety as I do.
I will question the tendency to blame a whole community for the actions of one.
Look for what is true, and challenge unthinking reaction – whether mine, or others’.
And remember the words of One who came as a baby, to bring reconciliation.
This is what Jesus said (quoting Isaiah) –
“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me,
because He has anointed Me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”
****
There is still light.
Hope.
And peace for us.
Tree’s Up! (2025 Edition)
The smoke alarms seem to be fixed,
so no more overnight vigils for us!
I slept very well Thursday night, but it’s been a bit patchy since then… I’ll keep trying 😀
I’ve finally got the tree decorated,
and the other bits and pieces in the lounge.
It’s snuggled up next to the wifi modem (router?)
My lovely Renaissance angel is back in place.
This is her 32nd year at the top of our tree.
❤
Snowmen hang around the big TV cabinet.
…and gnomes check out some classic mysteries.
Bits
and bobs!
And the centrepiece –
including a tiny nativity scene that fits into a matchbox.
A miniature snapshot of the Christmas story.
Because that’s what it’s all about, after all!
It’s been a busy, and satisfying, day.
Time to slow down…
Rest, In The Quiet
I wanted to share a song, by Roma Waterman – it’s from the album “When God Sings”.
Just in case you need to sit in the quiet space for a while…
[Extra] Shimmers In An [Ordinary] Life
Lots of sunshine lately, after the storms a couple of weeks ago.
My newest plant has a flower open, and I tried to take a good photo. The sun seems to make it look a bit glowy…
The (glossy) leaves seem pretty clear, though!
There are a lot of glimmering things about.
What about the humble pigeon?
I’d wear that colour! 😀
The moon was having one of its “large” phases the other night.
I have trouble photographing it – night mode gives a clear image, but makes it too small.
Using ordinary photo mode (and keeping hands as steady as possible) gives a better idea of size, but reduces clarity.
Still – that’s a bright moon!
Here’s night mode again – with tree and clouds…
…and a last try at moon portraiture through the screen door.
Shiny! 🙂
There are hints of light everywhere.
Beauty to be perceived.
Even if it’s partially hidden…
❤
Night Vision
I was trying to take photos of the shadow shapes in my art room the other night.
It didn’t start too well.
I’d thought that the street light coming from outside would be enough for me to just use the default setting, but I found it hard to keep still enough to focus, and there was an overall fuzzy feeling.
So I tried the “night” setting.
I’ve used it before – mostly for trying to capture the moon – but it’s always felt a bit disappointing. And it also requires a steady hand.
Surprise! 😀
Not only did it sharpen the shadow lines, it also picked out light that I hadn’t seen with my eyes.
There was more colour than would seem likely in a night composition.
A delightful serendipity, with sparkles!
I don’t know how it does it.
Difference in timing? Focus?
But I’m glad there’s a way to get a better picture.
This week, for our family, has been one of bed rest and coughing. We’re all at different stages of some sort of flu, and we all tend to deal with it by secluding ourselves with misery and tissues…
I had intended to write this on any one of the last three days, but I just couldn’t make the words work.
Today, I felt cheerful, for the first time in a while. Like coming out from under a heavy grey cloud, or finding a bright warm path after being enshrouded by mist.
We all have seemed to be in a better state today. We had to do an online Coles order (nobody here is likely to go outside the house for a bit), so the boys were hovering to give their lists. Tendency to forgetfulness, foggy minds, and random fits of coughing also led to (slightly fevered) giggling and a lovely family moment ❤
This world has been a bit too foggy lately.
Darkness gathering, and sometimes difficulty in discerning just where the shadows fall.
But the light shone in for today. A bit of clarity for the journey.
Maybe it’s the timing.
Or maybe just focusing with a different lens…
A Sign, And A Promise
That’s a big sign.
We got a call on Monday to say that the owner of this house is putting it up for sale.
The agent came round Tuesday for a chat, and the photographer came round Wednesday to take photos for the listing.
Which went up Thursday.
This morning was an open house – not sure how many there will be.
My laptop charger decided that connecting to my laptop was no longer in its job description…
It’s been…a week.
Still, I spent last night and today at an online conference, which has been inspiring.
It meant that I was sat on the sofa with my headphones on while people were traipsing through the house.
Worth it!
There weren’t many visitors, but it’s possible that one (an investor) might put an offer in. If that happens we might get to stay here. Yay! 😀
Our lease is up first week of September, so hopefully we’ll know by then.
Last Sunday, on our way to church, there was a rainbow through the clouds.
It was bright, and a timely reminder that we are never forgotten, and that we can trust God with whatever comes our way.
It was brighter on our way in.
But it still lingered, arching over the prayers outside the church building before the service.
❤
Here are a couple of songs we sang at the conference.
I don’t know what the next weeks/months will bring.
Rain, or rainbows?
Either way – it’s all good!
1000 Fields of Roses 