The 5th word of the Bible (at least in our English versions) tells us something simple and profound.

God is a worker.

In the beginning God created...

It’s easy to hurry past that word.

Created.

Our Father in Heaven,

Hallowed be Your name,

Your Kingdom come,

Your will be done,

on earth as it is in Heaven...

So starts the prayer that Jesus taught His followers.

I found myself wondering something this morning...

What if we over-spiritualise the line Your will be done?

A podcast I’m enjoying at the moment is this one: The Knepp Wilding Podcast.

It’s probably my age, but I’m loving listening to a podcast all about nature and a re-wilding project.

Anyway, this week, the episode was about eels...

Lord, make it a bad day for tyrants.

That was how today’s prayer my book of Morning & Evening Prayers began.

The simplicity and boldness of the request stopped me in my tracks. I allowed myself to linger there and in the next few lines.

Last Sunday we meditated upon Psalm 131 together.

3 verses.

Just 30 words in the original Hebrew.

Holiday season is here.

Maybe you’ve been away already, or are going sometime over August? Or perhaps you have something later in the year to look forward to?

Standing in a little museum on Beaver Island, in the middle of Lake Michigan, Joy and I read a display that described the history of the fishing industry of the Great Lakes region.

We were both struck by the same thing.

This morning I got up early and drove out into the countryside to do one of my favourite walks.

I walked across fields.

And saw trees – branches bare, but leaves just beginning to bud.

And heard bird song.

And disturbed deer

And felt the wind.

It was glorious.

This Advent I have found the act of lament so helpful – of intentionally acknowledging, and leaning into, the cosmic ache that we see and feel in so many ways…of expressing our deep, wordless desire for things to be made right. It is so true…we must face the darkness before we celebrate the dawn.

I heard from a friend yesterday. In and amongst other things, he shared with me the news that someone we both know has been moved to hospice care – he probably won’t make Christmas. This morning I’ve been praying for him and his family as he closes out his earthly journey.