Weekly Update – 22nd June

There’s a corner in my garden, at the back, in front of the shed, where I can sit nestled behind the buddleia, hidden from view. If I sit up straight I can just see the top of the Downs to my left, there’s a salvia hot lips nearby so I get to see and hear the bees busying about doing their thing, and there’s a heather at my feet, so if I wiggle my toes the air is filled with the most heavenly scent. I head there first thing every morning; in the summer with a small glass of iced coffee, and in the winter with a steaming mug of tea. It’s my 10 minutes to myself, to listen to the Everyday Faith app, and be at peace and listen for God, before the day starts proper.

Sounds idyllic doesn’t it?

 

And it most probably would be, if it wasn’t for the fact that on route to my most perfect spot, I let the chickens out and allow them a meander round the garden.

 

So far this week (and I’m writing this on Thursday!), there’s been an altercation between two of the chickens and what I can only assume are adolescent magpies (they are very bold), in which I had to physically intervene (really!!!); something moved in the hedge which made the cat jump, which made one of the chickens jump and run around the garden like a mad thing (and if one starts they all like to join in); another chicken scared itself while jumping up to eat the buds off the large fuchsia (there was nothing there, I can only assume it got ‘tickled’ by the bush), but of course one was scared, so they all joined in;  Nutley the Squirrel visited and caused mayhem with the cat and all chickens charging about and this morning I had to rescue one that had managed to wedge itself behind the outdoor seating and the wall. Not once, not twice, but three times (chickens are quite brave – read silly – and will quite happily walk forwards into a small gap, only they are rubbish at walking backwards, and if they then can’t turn around they get scared, and then they all join in). And then another one tried to do the same thing!!

 

Goodness knows what the neighbours must think, so much noise and kerfuffle before breakfast.

 

And I haven’t had a chance to listen to the app at all.

 

But this morning, when I was extracting the chicken for the third time, muttering out loud about recipes for tikka masala (I would never!) and simultaneously mulling things over silently in my head, I realised it doesn’t matter, God has been there every morning; in the glorious sunrises; in the hum of the bees; the colours and scents of the garden; in the laughter at the antics of the chickens.

 

He knows what’s in my heart, he knows my intention (Psalm 46:10 – Be still, and know that I am God!) but 1 Corinthians 10:31 – So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God – under which I think I can include ‘chase chickens’ – happens to be where I am.

 

May God be with you in all you do this week.

Lord, be with me in my daily work,                                                                                                                    remind me often that time is intended to be given not spent,                                                                         and in the midst of all my busyness, may I truly be about Your business.                                                  Amen

 

Jenny