Monday, September 14, 2009

9 million tons of work...

.... but at least it's a job and I'm not dependent on handouts from anyone!

And I have good friends who text me. I have a family who love me.

I am getting over my irritation with ignorant parents.

I am answering more questions with the child about the BG with "Well, one day we'll know!" in the hope that one day we will.

Next door have been round to offer to clear the tree thing.

Alfie Bravo (the eldest of Ru's tribe) had his first day at school today. We phoned him. He loved it. He's so lovely.

I miss Rich. But tonight, I can feel him here. I think that's why I keep expecting him home the last couple of days. He's home again for a while. Regardless of what they did with him, he's home. Nothing can separate us until we are ready. That's a cool feeling.

It's all good.

And Wordlive do it again!

I was just thinking about the "thing-at-the-end-of-the-week" and about the opportunity that I am giving people, just by attending it, to attack me and the love we have, and how, as a wordsmith, there are things creeping into my mind that I could say, that would hurt, that would shut people up long enough for me to escape.

And Wordlive today?

2 Corinthians 4

Present Weakness and Resurrection Life
1 Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ.

Main point: Touching base

It’s critical!
No one likes being criticised. And it can be even worse if our integrity is questioned. That was what happened to Paul.

His enemies in Corinth despised him and tried to undermine his authority in the church. So he had to defend himself without really wanting to boast or claim things which might impress but which he found distasteful. He denies being underhanded (vs 1,2), accuses his opponents of being blind (vs 3,4) and reminds them of his calling (vs 5,6).

Authentic faith
In chapter 3 Paul had compared his own experience of gazing upon God with that of Moses (see Exodus 34:33–35). Paul received his commission as an apostle when he saw the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus (see Acts 9:1–19). That’s why he tells the church that his opponents can never make him lose heart (v 1) and he doesn’t need to bend the truth or act in a deceptive manner (v 2).

Paul’s authentic faith has led him to be God’s servant – and theirs.

Touching base
At times of accusation or misunderstanding it is vital to touch base with our experience and knowledge of the truth about Christ. Maybe you have experienced this in the past. Bring that situation to Christ, praying for the kind of grace that Paul demonstrates here.

Robert Willoughby

#####################################################

Ooooch!

Ok. So I know, and He knows, that these attacks are likely. And between us (and we all know that means through his Grace!) I have to still play nice, because that's what the world needs.

Message received. Attempts at understanding made. Showering whilst I think on it.

These Wordlive chaps are fearfully clever - do they have a copy of my calendar or something? Maybe the house is bugged!

The countdown begins

The countdown, that is, to the "thing-at-the-end-of-the-week"

This time next week, it will all be over. Ru has offered to come with me, and I think I might take him up on that, but I'm not sure about coming back - he can't afford to take a day of work just to hold my hand to do something! And there is every chance that it will be fine.

I want it to be fine.
I want it to be something to remember.

For the right reasons....

In other news, I did 4 hours work last night and then didn't get up early enough to do work this morning, so some winging it will be required, but it'll be ok. Mondays are deliberately a fairly easy day.

Numeracy, Literacy, PE, ICT, Reading, Assembly, Hometime.

I can do this. This first week is done. It's just routine from here on in. A different routine. One that doesn't involve me sharing my life with the man I love and who loves me. No calling him to get up and watching his sleepy body appear from the duvet.... and knowing why he's so sleepy ;-) No making his sandwiches and leaving notes in there to tell him I love him. No hugs of thankyou for his clean uniform - even though he didn't have to hug me thankyou for it, he showed his appreciation of the little things I did. No kisses before he leaves, thermal mug in one hand, rucksack in the other.

What a dull world I live in now. The glitter has gone from the edges of the simplest things.

And so, the countdown begins.