6 November 2009 Grumpy
Did Paul ever have to do the ironing?
I write this in a slightly tense fashion because I seem to be overwhelmed with things to do at the moment, it has taken me most of the day to even get close to sitting down at my computer, and just outside of my line of vision is a massive pile of ironing demanding my attention.
So I was thinking how much easier it must have been for Paul who could concentrate all the time on his mission, without stopping every five minutes to tidy up, iron or get the shopping in. Even as I write this I know how petulant it sounds ,after all Paul was imprisoned several times and eventually martyred for his faith, but I can't deny that at times I would like my time to be more focused.
On the other hand, it is often through the day to day realities of our lives that we encounter God, maybe the frustration I am feeling today encourages me to talk to him or even rage at him, all of which will be from the heart. The Israelites grumbled in the desert, ungrateful almost certainly, but honest, they were hungry, they were tired, they were scared and God listened. I am sure God wants us to play our full part in this world, to face the little everyday ups and downs and to bring them to him for he meets us where we are, even if that is angry and weeping over a pile of ironing.
"The Lord said to Moses,"I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites.Tell them,"At twilight you will eat meat and in the morning you will be filled with bread.Then you will know that I am the Lord your God."" Exodus 16 vs 11
I write this in a slightly tense fashion because I seem to be overwhelmed with things to do at the moment, it has taken me most of the day to even get close to sitting down at my computer, and just outside of my line of vision is a massive pile of ironing demanding my attention.
So I was thinking how much easier it must have been for Paul who could concentrate all the time on his mission, without stopping every five minutes to tidy up, iron or get the shopping in. Even as I write this I know how petulant it sounds ,after all Paul was imprisoned several times and eventually martyred for his faith, but I can't deny that at times I would like my time to be more focused.
On the other hand, it is often through the day to day realities of our lives that we encounter God, maybe the frustration I am feeling today encourages me to talk to him or even rage at him, all of which will be from the heart. The Israelites grumbled in the desert, ungrateful almost certainly, but honest, they were hungry, they were tired, they were scared and God listened. I am sure God wants us to play our full part in this world, to face the little everyday ups and downs and to bring them to him for he meets us where we are, even if that is angry and weeping over a pile of ironing.
"The Lord said to Moses,"I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites.Tell them,"At twilight you will eat meat and in the morning you will be filled with bread.Then you will know that I am the Lord your God."" Exodus 16 vs 11

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