Categories: uncategorized
Date: 20 February 2008 22:24:36
Alright, I've lost count what day of Lent it is. My good intentions about regular Lent updates have fallen by the wayside, due chiefly to a trip to the grandparents where internet access wasn't possible, and a rather nasty stomach bug. Though I'm very happy to report that my own personal prayer warrior (toddler offspring of British Standard) is trying his best to heal me.
So after doing nothing remotely Lenten for several days I've tried to do some devotional reading, in the beloved venues of Morriston Hospital waiting rooms and garage waiting rooms. And I've read Thomas a Kempis 'Counsels on the Spiritual Life', which I believe is an expurgated version of his On the Imitation of Christ. Reading it was a tonic and felt relevant to many situations I'm facing at the moment. But I felt something that I often feel when reading it - we don't much go in for discipleship nowadays.
The book is full of meditations about how to grow as a Christian. They're stated in very plain, unadorned language - the simple words of a saint who doesn't need gimmicks to communicate God. But what he is always returning to are the necessity of humility and watching your 'inner dialogue' - keeping an eye open so you don't get drawn away from God.
What struck me was the wisdom of everything he said, its timeless truth, and yet how out of step with the times it was. If anyone preached the things he said now, he would be regarded as eccentric. Our world is so full of clutter, and the simplicity of these writings seems not to speak to it at all. But maybe if we dimmed our noise it would be a roaring whisper.
p.s. Last line reminds me of cute quote from daughter, whilst looking through a farm book and making noises for the animals:
Me: Oh look *daughter's name*, what that? It's a squirrel.
Daughter: 'Roar
Me (laughing and rather taken aback) No, squirrels say, well, they don't say, they sort of (puts hands to his mouth and makes nibbling sounds).
Pause.
Me: What do squirrels say?
Daughter: Roar