Regaining Perspective!
Week three... we met up with good friends on holiday nearby and enjoyed another fabulous walk, a pub lunch, more walking and then concluded with a scrumptious cream tea set in a wonderful garden shaded from bright sunshine. We had a cracking good time together. It was a reminder of the value of good pals and the importance of relationship.
Our friends have endured tough times recently and the road remains rocky for them. As we wandered the coastal path, sharing the beautiful views and engaging in conversation we spoke of how difficulties (whilst often unpleasant) do have a strange habit of helping us regain perspective. I stood with one of our two friends observing the rugged rocks and crashing waves and he remarked how looking at this amazing landscape provided proof that something must be behind it. A creator God of some sort must exist... how could it just have come into being on its own.
As we departed I said we'd continue to pray for them. How extraordinary it is that I can have a conversation with the Creator of this amazing creation (and everything beyond) and ask Him to look after my friends! I am just a tiny dot in the wider picture and yet (I believe) God offers little old me a relationship with Him. Indeed (I believe) He offers this to everyone... we just have to accept and receive it.
The following morning I opened my bible notes and was immediately drawn to these words: "Focus on God and regain perspective".
Another poignant moment occurred this week when visiting the Minack Theatre (Cornwall's world famous open air theatre); take a look at... https://www.minack.com/
We watched the musical 'Jesus Christ Superstar' with the backdrop of the sea in front of us. It was a wonderful evening of music, singing and drama. Inevitably what stood out was the scene of the Crucifixion offering another stark reminder of my own sin, God's love and what He has done for us in Jesus! Breathtaking! Emotional! Uplifting!
We had our first day of grotty weather this week so consequently travelled east to a National Trust Property. Just short of our destination a strange noise began to rattle beneath the car.
As I drove Ruth swung into action on her mobile finding a Tyre & Exhaust Garage within 4 minutes of our location. We drove straight there where a helpful mechanic immediately diagnosed a broken exhaust!
As Ruth's car is a little unusual (an 11 year old Nissan Micra convertible) the mechanic explained he'd have to order in the part. I feared the worst. Would we have to leave the car with him for days? How would we return to our little retreat near Marazion? How much would it cost?!
It transpired he could get the part delivered and fitted within 2 hours for £96! In the meantime we donned our waterproofs and set off in search of a place to eat. Within minutes a local pub emerged and a yummy carvery for just £8 each... very tasty. Our exhaust debacle was beginning to feel like an adventure!
Then Ruth's mobile phone rang! The mechanic advised the correct part was not available and it was necessary to order it direct from the dealer. The overall cost was likely to be £200 plus and the part wouldn't arrive for five days! Oh no...! After further discussion the mechanic agreed to temporarily repair the exhaust allowing us to return home and come back five days later.
To console ourselves Ruth suggested Geocaching (in the rain) whilst the repair took place! Oh joy!!! So off we set hunting down two geocaches before returning to the garage. However, when we got back my despair really did turn to joy. The car was on the ramp but the work had been done. The mechanic revealed his handywork declaring he was so pleased with it he believed it would now remain secure without the need for a new part! And the cost... just £30!!! Yippee... I was so pleased I gave him a £10 tip!
How weird ... even though we'd experienced a negative inconvenience it turned into something that felt remarkably positive and I left feeling really elated! We ended up driving into Falmouth and had a great time wandering around enjoying the delights of this lovely small coastal town. And... it stopped raining...what a bizarre and wonderful day!
Another day, another thought. This week I read the words..."So many of us struggle to stop. We do, do, do and go, go, go, somehow afraid that if we cease our efforts we will cease to be. Or that by stopping we will expose ourselves to the ever-present realities we work to keep at bay".
I wonder, am I still struggling to stop? The pace of life is now much slower, nevertheless each day I still do,do,do and go, go, go! But... does it matter? We are having fun and enjoying ourselves so probably not!
On another brilliant coastal walk we stumbled across a Coast Watch Station on the edge of a peninsular close to the tiny hamlet of Cape Cornwall. The station overlooked dangerous rocks about a mile out to sea called the Brisons. Inside was a volunteer Coast Watch Officer called Phil. He gives up his time as a lookout for ships, boats and other vessels. It was a great example of something valuable going on that many of us probably have no idea is taking place.
Less than a year ago, whilst sitting alone in the Coast Watch Station Phil felt unwell and radioed for someone to come and take over his duties. It turned out he was having a heart attack! Remarkably his story concluded with an RNLI Sea King Helicopter being scrambled, winching him off the cliff and within eight minutes he was in hospital. Now fitted with a couple of stents he's back to full health! Stroll on... it all happens here in far flung Cornwall!!!
One evening this week we were invited to the Queen's Hotel in Penzance by David and Isabel Josey, two friends from Christ Church who'd travelled down on the train. They were there for just one night (they love going on the train)! We were treated to a fabulous meal and it was good to meet up and chat.
And so as another week comes to a close I reflect on more coastal walks through beautiful scenery littered with the fascinating ruins of an old tin mining age at Botallack, Levant and Geevor. A wander round St Keverne before sampling Ice Cream at Roskilly Farm and then walking to Porthoustock. We took in a visit to the charming Coverack for fish and chips at the harbour... please can I live here!
Church again this Sunday, with a sound sermon on the Sabbath - very appropriate!
This week I read: Though we measure time with clocks and calendars, we remember times because of events. In the moments of life that trigger our deepest emotions, we can experience joy, loss, blessing, pain, success, failure. The Scriptures encourage us: “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge” (Psalm 62:8). For me this is feeling so true!
Week three... we met up with good friends on holiday nearby and enjoyed another fabulous walk, a pub lunch, more walking and then concluded with a scrumptious cream tea set in a wonderful garden shaded from bright sunshine. We had a cracking good time together. It was a reminder of the value of good pals and the importance of relationship.Our friends have endured tough times recently and the road remains rocky for them. As we wandered the coastal path, sharing the beautiful views and engaging in conversation we spoke of how difficulties (whilst often unpleasant) do have a strange habit of helping us regain perspective. I stood with one of our two friends observing the rugged rocks and crashing waves and he remarked how looking at this amazing landscape provided proof that something must be behind it. A creator God of some sort must exist... how could it just have come into being on its own.
As we departed I said we'd continue to pray for them. How extraordinary it is that I can have a conversation with the Creator of this amazing creation (and everything beyond) and ask Him to look after my friends! I am just a tiny dot in the wider picture and yet (I believe) God offers little old me a relationship with Him. Indeed (I believe) He offers this to everyone... we just have to accept and receive it.
The following morning I opened my bible notes and was immediately drawn to these words: "Focus on God and regain perspective".
Another poignant moment occurred this week when visiting the Minack Theatre (Cornwall's world famous open air theatre); take a look at... https://www.minack.com/We watched the musical 'Jesus Christ Superstar' with the backdrop of the sea in front of us. It was a wonderful evening of music, singing and drama. Inevitably what stood out was the scene of the Crucifixion offering another stark reminder of my own sin, God's love and what He has done for us in Jesus! Breathtaking! Emotional! Uplifting!
We had our first day of grotty weather this week so consequently travelled east to a National Trust Property. Just short of our destination a strange noise began to rattle beneath the car.
As I drove Ruth swung into action on her mobile finding a Tyre & Exhaust Garage within 4 minutes of our location. We drove straight there where a helpful mechanic immediately diagnosed a broken exhaust!
As Ruth's car is a little unusual (an 11 year old Nissan Micra convertible) the mechanic explained he'd have to order in the part. I feared the worst. Would we have to leave the car with him for days? How would we return to our little retreat near Marazion? How much would it cost?!
It transpired he could get the part delivered and fitted within 2 hours for £96! In the meantime we donned our waterproofs and set off in search of a place to eat. Within minutes a local pub emerged and a yummy carvery for just £8 each... very tasty. Our exhaust debacle was beginning to feel like an adventure!
Then Ruth's mobile phone rang! The mechanic advised the correct part was not available and it was necessary to order it direct from the dealer. The overall cost was likely to be £200 plus and the part wouldn't arrive for five days! Oh no...! After further discussion the mechanic agreed to temporarily repair the exhaust allowing us to return home and come back five days later.
To console ourselves Ruth suggested Geocaching (in the rain) whilst the repair took place! Oh joy!!! So off we set hunting down two geocaches before returning to the garage. However, when we got back my despair really did turn to joy. The car was on the ramp but the work had been done. The mechanic revealed his handywork declaring he was so pleased with it he believed it would now remain secure without the need for a new part! And the cost... just £30!!! Yippee... I was so pleased I gave him a £10 tip!
How weird ... even though we'd experienced a negative inconvenience it turned into something that felt remarkably positive and I left feeling really elated! We ended up driving into Falmouth and had a great time wandering around enjoying the delights of this lovely small coastal town. And... it stopped raining...what a bizarre and wonderful day!Another day, another thought. This week I read the words..."So many of us struggle to stop. We do, do, do and go, go, go, somehow afraid that if we cease our efforts we will cease to be. Or that by stopping we will expose ourselves to the ever-present realities we work to keep at bay".
I wonder, am I still struggling to stop? The pace of life is now much slower, nevertheless each day I still do,do,do and go, go, go! But... does it matter? We are having fun and enjoying ourselves so probably not!
On another brilliant coastal walk we stumbled across a Coast Watch Station on the edge of a peninsular close to the tiny hamlet of Cape Cornwall. The station overlooked dangerous rocks about a mile out to sea called the Brisons. Inside was a volunteer Coast Watch Officer called Phil. He gives up his time as a lookout for ships, boats and other vessels. It was a great example of something valuable going on that many of us probably have no idea is taking place.
Less than a year ago, whilst sitting alone in the Coast Watch Station Phil felt unwell and radioed for someone to come and take over his duties. It turned out he was having a heart attack! Remarkably his story concluded with an RNLI Sea King Helicopter being scrambled, winching him off the cliff and within eight minutes he was in hospital. Now fitted with a couple of stents he's back to full health! Stroll on... it all happens here in far flung Cornwall!!!
One evening this week we were invited to the Queen's Hotel in Penzance by David and Isabel Josey, two friends from Christ Church who'd travelled down on the train. They were there for just one night (they love going on the train)! We were treated to a fabulous meal and it was good to meet up and chat.
And so as another week comes to a close I reflect on more coastal walks through beautiful scenery littered with the fascinating ruins of an old tin mining age at Botallack, Levant and Geevor. A wander round St Keverne before sampling Ice Cream at Roskilly Farm and then walking to Porthoustock. We took in a visit to the charming Coverack for fish and chips at the harbour... please can I live here!Church again this Sunday, with a sound sermon on the Sabbath - very appropriate!
This week I read: Though we measure time with clocks and calendars, we remember times because of events. In the moments of life that trigger our deepest emotions, we can experience joy, loss, blessing, pain, success, failure. The Scriptures encourage us: “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge” (Psalm 62:8). For me this is feeling so true!
What an amazing time you're both having! So pleased you are enjoying your sabbatical. Think everyone should have one! Pray that you will continue to be blessed and guided.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alison for reading my blog. Thank you for your prayers. We are having a wonderful time. Love G x
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