Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Preventing Grace

Home
Evangelical
Seven Quickish Takes

Seven Quickish Takes

Last updated on: October 3, 2014 at 8:41 am by Anne Kennedy

Seven Quickish Takes 2014-10-03T08:41:43-04:00 Anne Kennedy

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

One

I'm not emotionally organized enough to be a person who takes blogging breaks “on purpose”. They're the sort or eventualities that happen to me, unplanned. In this case, we suddenly made the decision to go away, not where we originally ought to have gone, to the CANA clergy retreat in Florida, but instead to see Matt's grandmother who has lately been ill and who is more and more confused, dwelling fixedly and unhappily in The Kingdom of Anxiety, where the mind doesn't do what you want it to do, where you rise up at the sound of birds, and strength and knowledge slip tragically away. It was suddenly the right thing to do, leaving long long lists for a capable and beloved young lady, who gathered the children in the safety and comfort of their regular environment while we, Matt and I, muscled through the best and most obnoxious way of getting quickly thousands of miles thence–Delta. And then, as we landed in the rest and heat of the glorious south, all the words I might ever have assembled fled from my fingers and I went dazedly from one day to the next having nothing to say. Not only so, I took only one picture, rather walking around with my eyes open and wondering if the internet is all I ever wanted, perhaps there might have been something more.

Two

Here is the picture.

Levee, the dog, has never really loved me before, but I think it must have been because of the many loud children I always bring with me. This time he came up to me and lay down and looked sorrowful and so I had to rub his tummy for quite a long time. He, unlike Ash, is a real dog, at least in size. Ash is probably a real dog in spirit, although his weeping like a little girl when we arrived home did not reinforce that truth. Had to hold him for nearly an hour to stop the incessant crying.

Three

Felt naked for the three or so days we were gone. Strange to move through time and space without counting all the time, “one, two, three, fourfive…onetwothreefour, five, oh six, ok let's go” over and over. We just walked around, don't you know, and got in and out of cars, and ordered a coffee without hearing, “Youneverbuyusanything!! Iwannacookie!!” And, “I'm thirsty.” Read books and stared at the sky. Ate too much food. Recieved daily phone calls from Elphine who updated me about what she was doing, what everyone was doing, and what they were going to do. Then she would say, “what are you doing?” and I would tell her.

Four

Read so much Barbara Pym in such a short time…there isn't really an end to that thought. Considered over and over, “what I like best about Barbara Pym…” and ended up with a small inconsequential list of what it is that's so clever about her writing. At her most basic point, really, she perfectly describes the fussiness of my own mind. There is so much clutter and fuss and worry in between my two ears, but not about what you might hope, like World Peace or How Shall I Better Follow Jesus. It's mostly all wondering if I'll have time to “tidy up” and feeling unhappy about the quality of the tea in restaurants, if there is any, and wondering how other women feel walking around in their tall heels. I could go on, but you could also just go read her. It's the ordinary, small, narrow scope of life, plus her excellent timing.

Five

Now that we're home I won't be reading any more. The bishop is coming this weekend. Going to clean the house today and tomorrow, and think about a nice dinner for Saturday evening, and clean the house, I mean, really, we've got to clean the house, not just pick up, but clean away dirt and grim and clutter. And all the time worry about the fact that the trees are so so beautiful but that it's threatening to rain, and so the leaves will fall, and we will be left desolate for months and months, staring at the brick corner of the church and the brown expanse of the naked hill.

Six

Finished Revelation while I was gone. The line about those martyrs particularly who suffered beheading leapt out at me. Not that it must be the end of the world, although sometimes it feels like that, but that everyone is accounted for, not a single one is lost. Didn't feel devestated, for the first time, after this reading but was surprised by order and quiet with which all the bowls of suffering are poured out over the world. The world is in chaos, but God is not. He is not reacting in anger, but rather through the calm mercy and justice of his will he is bringing everything to its right conclusion. Was also surprised, again, by how, just like Jesus is the key that unlocks the Old Testament, the Old Testamenf is the key that unlocks the book of Revelation. Everything is re comprised and seen again.

Seven

Have to go and make another pot of tea. We arrived in San Antonio very late Sunday night and on Monday morning, after scrounging around looking for not good but at least drinkable coffee and tea, Matt's dad arrived with a capacious bag from which he produced a hot pot, a French press, a bag of coffee, and a reallio trulio actual tea pot. That, ya'll, is grace.

Have a great day and go read Jen!

Previous Post

September 26, 2014

7QT: Tralala

Next Post

October 6, 2014 Monday Morning Blaze

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category books Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Children in Conversation culture watch Daily Devotions Demotivations with Anne faith alone for the grandparents GAFCON In conversation with children In the News Kitchen Notes Lambeth Learning Notes Life Going On Men are Human Notes from Home Pictures Reading the Bible Saturday Links Sermons Signs of the Apocalypse The Bad Word Association The Prayer of Jonah Travel Notes Uncategorized Witless Wednesdays Work and the Christian

Select a Month June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 July 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What king was killed by an arrow in battle, fulfilling Elijah's prophecy?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Joash Ahab Jeroboam Ahaziah

Books by This Author Books by Anne Kennedy

See All Titles »