I took this picture at a SWYM (South West Youth Ministry) conference in Somerset last week. Claire and I whizzed up the M5 at 6.30am, with our slippers on, to be greeted by this wonderful view.
And as we spent the day discussing all aspects of youth work in schools, and Claire making me sound like I was some sort of youth worker superhero, I learnt some very valid things.
'God, tell me what you want to teach me today' I said several times as I reluctantly got out of my warm bed. So I think my half full notebook, by the end of the day, has a lot to say for that...
prayer = answered.
Now I'm yet to mention on my blog that this year I am running the Christmas production at my church. I couldn't decide what excited me more about this prospect- the tinsel, the carols, the cuteness, the acting, or the fact we're telling Jesus' story- let's say a mixture of everything.
So as I frantically ran around the church yesterday at 4.00pm with fairylights wrapped round my neck/face/head and a stapler balancing in my mouth (impressive right?!) I had to thank Jesus for giving me such a wonderful role.
I learnt so much from the conference that I was able to apply and create for my own rehearsals. The children were fabulous, their passion and gifts were also fabulous and the fact we managed to get 13 children surrounding a piano singing 'Little Donkey' at the top of their lungs caused a large amount of goosebumps but also a real sense of Jesus' presence and love in all of those children's hearts.
I sat the children in a circle and in the centre I put a lantern and then fairylights around the lantern. We switched the lights off and I asked them 'who is Jesus?'
We had many marvellous responses. My favourite being 'a man with lots of goodness' yes, absolutely. I then switched on the lantern and said 'this light is Jesus' light filling the world, but if Jesus is the light of the world, what do these fairylights symbolise?' I said switching on the fairlights and causing the children's eyes to sparkle with amazement (fairylights do have that effect.)
The most precious answer I got was a little girl who said 'well Jesus is so full of grace that we can't help but be filled with it too.'
And as the room filled with peace so did my heart.
I got home that night thanking God for young people and for how much I delight in their gifts and enthusiasm. I then thanked God that he also delights in their gifts and their wonders.
I thanked God that I was a part of the Christmas story just by showing up and letting him say the words.
Tonight is theatre night. That's not actually a thing, as much as I would love it to be, but as a present for my dad (mainly for me) I'm taking us to see The National Theatre's production of People by Alan Bennett. Beyond excited to bask in the glory of theatre and acting.
This dress is my Great Auntie's dress from the 1940's. I wear it to any special event I can because when my Auntie was a teenager, she too wore it to any special event she could. I love the history that comes with this dress.
And again, there are fairylights. Oops.
Over & Out x
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