Mandy's Musings

Not many of us have the opportunity to take ‘time out’ and ‘retreat’ from our busy world and lives for a few days but I did have that opportunity this last week. It was so lovely to only be responsible for myself and to be able to appreciate nature, the natural world and to take part in some artistic endeavours whilst having the time to think and reflect. Time is such a precious commodity. I once heard a fellow teacher colleague of mine say that we (humanity) were now ‘asset rich but time poor’ How true this is! We have the technology to create/buy so much for ourselves that will make life more convenient and yet we are starved of the one thing that we need to make the most of life – time. No matter what stage of life we are at, we find ourselves pre-occupied and busy with the tasks of life. If we don’t have times of retreat and re-group, we can falter in those tasks and be unhappy. Jesus’ life was very full with tasks and work. He was always with people and doing things. However, he was aware of his own human need to withdraw into solitude from time to time. The gospels often talk of Jesus ‘withdrawing to a place to pray’. As we enter into a change of season with more darkness and cold coming our way, I hope that there will be glimmers within that darkness when we can withdraw to take rest and reflection so we can continue and be more fulfilled in doing the tasks of our life.

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Every blessing,

Mandy