Dear Friends,
Ialways feel January is for hibernating; for curling up in front of the fire with a good book, for brisk walks in cold, crisp air, for drinking steaming mugs of tea with chunks of crumbly Christmas cake, for filling the kitchen with steam and the distinctive fragrance of bubbling marmalade. This of course is my ideal and I can’t think of a January which has ever worked out like this! However, I have been able to walk most days, even if just for fifteen minutes (except when the rain has been so relentless I’ve not wanted to set myself up for a thorough soaking). I’ve certainly enjoyed many a cup of tea and the Christmas cake has lasted well between eldest son and myself as no one else has wanted any! A young friend has asked me to endorse her book, so I’ve enjoyed reading that. And below is our marmalade batch.
Sparkly Eyes has generally settled well into the rhythm of a new term. Although I have been hibernating in a sense in that I’ve not ventured out on any exciting escapades, it’s been a very busy month, with the amount of my paid writing work increasing. I’ve started doing some copy editing for Heart a bimonthly Christian newspaper. It means two fairly intense weeks every two months prior to print. I’m learning a lot and the articles are fascinating and offer news items which would not be found in mainstream media as well as hope filled and encouraging stories. I still enjoy and appreciate my copywriting job, which uses different skills, so I feel my brain is being stretched which is a good feeling.
A couple of friends from church have started a writers’ group and I went along to its inaugural meeting. We chatted over a most delicious spread and then gathered round a crackling fire for a short teaching session. After this and fortified with an array of tempting sweet treats, we took on a creative writing challenge. As I mostly write non fiction, I think any imaginative flair I have must be very rusty, so I’m really looking forward to learning within such a friendly and creative group.
Despite most days being very full, January has held no surprises, no curveballs and no dramas too big to wobble me. I’ve been so thankful for these mundane days. What a blessing they are. From my understanding, the Church calendar journeys through the year with high days and holidays (Christmas, Easter, Pentecost), periods of fasting (Lent, Advent) and then Ordinary time for the bulk of it (a green alter cloth). It’s this ordinary time for which I’m immensely appreciative.
As Sparkly Eyes spends a fair bit of time at our local leisure centre, I too spend time there, writing away in the cafe area. Strange as it may seem, it’s one of my favourite places to work. It’s noisy, but filled with the all the mundane stuff of everyday family life which is reassuringly comforting. Mums, dads and grandparents fielding children between clubs, coaxing their offspring to do the necessary homework or enjoying a treat from the cafe. I hear mums chatting, babies crying and overtired toddlers wailing at the end of the day. It’s all remarkably normal and mundane and I remember similar scenes twenty plus years ago when the boys were that age (minus the food as the cafe is an excellent and more recent addition). In a world of such upheaval where so many families are not living in security, this normality and freedom feels very precious.
So, as we enter into February I pray that whatever your circumstances and challenges you may find peace in everyday moments and beauty in the mundane, trusting in our God who holds the future in His hands.
With love
Molly x
Mothering through the seasons 