“I have found a very perfect man who wishes to live after the precepts of the Holy Gospel…..And I believe the Lord intends by him to renew the the faith all over the world”
Elizabeth Goudge – My God and My All – The life of Saint Francis of Assisi
Hello Friends!
How have you been? We’ve had a particularly soggy spring in our small spot of England and Lent has seemed a long old haul. However, when the clouds have parted the sunshine has been especially blissful and the expectation of Easter is filled with excitement.
During Lent I’ve been reading a biography of St Francis of Assisi, from which the above quote came. I’ve been very challenged by his self discipline and asceticism. As my wrinkles and grey hairs have increased, my appreciation for home comforts has also grown. I really do appreciate the warmth, comfort and nutritious food (as well as treats!) that I am fortunate enough to have. While I don’t feel called to live as Francis did, I have had much to ponder this Lent.
I had always imagined St Francis in a sunlit woodland surrounded by animals, but the reality of his life and vow to absolute poverty involved bleeding feet as he walked without shoes, begging from door to door for scraps of food, sleeping outdoors, or at best on a wooden pallet and exhaustion from the cold and rain as he travelled from town to town to share the gospel of Christ. It is no wonder many hearts and lives were renewed.
Nature notes and homestead jottings
With the ground being so sodden I’ve not done any direct sowing. I’ve cleared the polytunnel and begun some indoor sowing; we’re enjoying the self seeded rocket and the purple sprouting broccoli. The chickens, who often look a bit dishevelled by this time of year are looking glorious! They have not needed to be enclosed this winter so have enjoyed free range of the bare veg patch which has obviously suited them!
Homeschool journal
I’m very thankful to have reached the end of this term. It’s been a somewhat tumultuous one, with added anxieties and pressures. However, in the middle of it all, we had an unexpected and restorative long weekend in Salcombe…blissful! It’s been a challenge to keep our daily work going. It’s at times like these that I am particularly grateful that we have a well oiled run of train tracks from which we can order our days, without having to think too much. We finished our regular learning at the end of last week, and this week have had a Holy Week special…more low key with plenty of reading, some baking and making and a lovely outing to the SS Great Britain.
Streams Education held a great webinar for home educators this month entitled “Overcoming Burnout”; what it is, how to avoid it and how to get back on track if this is where you find yourself. Juliet English hosted the zoom event, and I spoke alongside two other mentors. Check out their website; if the recording of the webinar isn’t up yet it will be soon. It’s well worth signing up to become a member and receiving their emails.
We recorded a special, hope filled and super encouraging Easter episode of Rooted to Flourish. Listen in via the website or on ITunes or Spotify. If you find it helpful, please do subscribe and tap us a good rating!
As I breathe a sigh of relief that the holidays are now upon us, I’ll leave one of my all time favourite authors to sum up my own thoughts.
“I for one, am always glad to see the end of this most miserable of terms. In it we endure, each year, the worst weather, the darkest days, the poorest health and the lowest spirits. But now, with Easter in sight, and the sun gaining daily in strength,the outlook is much more heartening.”
Miss Read, Village Diary
Musings for our time
I’ll end with a book recommendation. I’ve been working my way slowly through Rod Dreher’s Benedict Option . It was published in 2017, and in it he looks towards a season of decreased religious liberty and the challenges of this for Bible believing Christians. He proposes a way of living which could see us through, based on the Rule of Benedict, which itself was formed during the collapse of the Roman Empire. Church, politics, education and work are some of the topics covered. Much food for thought.
Finally, a very Happy Easter to you all! May we know the joy and new life of the risen Christ in our hearts, homes and communities.
With love,
Molly x
Mothering through the seasons 