Appointment with Death ... and Mustard Seeds!

So, last week was the half-term holiday! Which meant, of course, that we have the children at home needing entertaining at various stages and in various ways. Thankfully, we have The flexibility and opportunity to have a little change in the normal course of events to have time at home with them.

This week involved many trips, one was to the Library with the littlest one, to get some books, and whilst I was there I decided to indulge myself with some Agatha Christie books. It never cease to amaze me that, even after nearly 30 years of reading them there still seem to be many more titles that I have not yet enjoyed! I don't think I have ever got to the end of a book having worked out 'whodunnit!' - and that includes my trip to the Theatre last year to watch 'Mousetrap' - I know who did by the way, but won't let on!

And so it was this week that I found myself reading 'Appointment with death!' ... That was interesting, but what drew my attention was this quote near the beginning of a book when one character was asked whether or not she was a 'believer' ... To which she replied;

"If I could sweep away all the buildings and the sects and the fierce squabbling churches ... I might just see Christ's quiet figure ... And believe in Him!" - Appointment with Death, Agatha Christie.

Which made me wonder afresh at how many others are missing the person of Christ, who is compelling and relentlessly drawing people to Himself, amidst all the trappings of Christianity that often seem so repugnant to them.

At the same time as this, I was thinking through some of the more contemplative approaches to Christianity that have been part and parcel of the Church throughout it's history. Reading 'The ascent of Mount Carmel', at the same time as looking at the website http://www.mustardseedorder.com/cm/home/?category=1 ... Intrigues me, which I guess has much to do with my character as well as my journey thus far. Trying to find Christ in the midst of busy daily life is a constant battle ... But I am prepared to battle because I am confident of the fact that He wants to burst in and illuminate each second of every day with His presence, His thoughts, His wisdom etc etc. I am confident because He does it time after time after time ... Amazing! All it takes is faith and some of the one commodity that seems in scarce supply in today's world ... Time!

So what crowds Christ out of your life or, like the Agatha Christie character, what prevents you from seeing Him as He truly is, not as someone may present Him to you? Whichever might be relevant to you please don't be put off from seeking the 'quiet figure' who longs to cry out loudly into all your circumstances - if we would only pause to give Him the space and time to do so we can find that this 'quiet man' speaks with the loudest voice in all creation, that can be heard from eternity to eternity!

One other high point, of course, was another English victory in the Six Nations, two more matches to go before I can really celebrate, but with England you have got to enjoy it while you can!.... And, if you are interested in this sort of thing, you can buy tickets to watch England play the Barbarians at the end of May using Tesco Clubcard points!! Well, every little helps! And I know of a shop near to Twickenham that sells very nice Pasties at a fraction of the price of the stalls in the ground!

- Press on!