Reflection
All the best things in life take time?
To come to harvest, a cereal crop has to be nurtured by the farmer through ten stages of development. Last year – dry summer after dry winter after dry summer – UK farmers got more for barley straw than they did for the grain itself. Thankfully, wheat was a bumper crop (quantity and quality).
2020 saw the wettest winter in Britain for years, followed by the sunniest spring for years. Barley in the field is looking good for now; yield estimates have been calculated. But harvest is still a long way off.
Waiting on God is maybe different? We too are growing (‘It does not yet appear what we shall be’), but no way will the heavenly harvest fail.
The Lord delights in those who revere him,
those who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Psalm 147:11
The man or woman who willingly chooses God in this life out of love, can be sure they will be loved for ever.
(Julian of Norwich, ‘A Revelation of Love’ Chapter 65)
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Prayer
God,
teach each one of us how to relate to You as My God.
When we’ve had enough of being cogs in a church machine (or any other mechanism),
When we’ve had enough of being spiritual children who just ‘love’ You for the treats we get,
When we’re ready for Love,
Then, farmer of our souls:
train us up as God-lovers.
Amen
Action
Recipe for pray-dough: take a handful of plain flour (wash and dry your hands first, of course), add a tiny sprinkle of salt, a dash of oil, and a splash of water; squeeze it into a lump, and use it as a stress ball for 10 minutes. Then flatten it into a thin circle. You now have a home-made chapati, which you can cook (2 minutes each side in a pre-heated, oiled frying pan) and eat. Enjoy!
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A reflection from Jennifer Brooker ObJN, who has been a frequent visitor of Sarum College. She has a degree in Modern Languages from the University of Oxford and master’s degree in theology awarded by Durham University.
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