...not that I'm counting or anything! Exams are over, field work is finished and now it's pretty much just carolling, in-service bits and pieces, cleaning and packing till D-Day - and trust me when I say that the bags will be packed, the car backed into the driveway and on the "Amen!" of our last meeting I'll be outta here - I'm sooo not kidding!!
I haven't really reflected on the year yet - if it's not in the timetable, it just doesn't happen!! - but I know that this has been a pretty good year all round. I'm incredibly grateful for the break that's coming up and can't wait to spend time with friends and family back home and just relax for a bit - preferably without the fear that I've missed a memo or a timetable change or both!!
I did a message on Mary and Martha just the other day (Luke 10:38-42...some light reading for you all!) and in my hunt for illustrations, I came across the title of an article that summed up the whole passage for me - not to mention the fact that it challenged me hugely. Bearing in mind that Martha was 'distracted' by her preparations which shifted the focus of her serving and that Mary chose the one thing that was needed and sat at Jesus' feet listening to all that He said, the title read:
Are you going to have a Martha Christmas or a Mary Christmas?
Challenged? I know you probably can't imagine it (although I'm sure my family can!!) but my unit is a mess at the moment! I haven't done a thing since before exams! The only washing that gets done are the essentials and only then, when they keep running out!! I was challenged about choosing wisely and about making sure that I have a Mary Christmas that includes taking time out just to sit in God's presence and get to know Him better.
Martha or Mary? What'll it be for you as we come into the busy Christmas season? I hope it's Mary for you all! If I don't catch you at Christmas, I hope I will in the New Year sometime. Watch this space... if the timetable allows there might even be another post between here and 2006 - and if not, at least a photo or two! Take care - miss you all!...
Ciao!
K.
