When I look...

On Monday night I was talking a bit the divine in the ordinary and the spirituality of everyday. It came off the back of listening to Mary by Patty Griffin again (see advent) and loving the image of Mary, imminently after the death of Christ back at home doing what mother's do. And it raises the idea of habitual practice as shelter in the face of crisis and maybe just something about the very role of mother - or woman - that sees the practical enveloping the emotional in times of need(?).

So often it seems to me that as we go about our daily business, we can close God down to the very expected sightings/ touches/ sounds of Him. We use our own frame of reference of what is or isn't spiritual and can't look outside of that or almost don't expect him to act in areas we don't consider worthy. (Watching the film Senna challenges this mindset for me.) We forget that inane can be just as moving and necessary as the profound, that play is just as enriching as work and that for those who have eyes to see God is all over. Especially if we look with intentionality.

Walking out with Blossom this afternoon we were looking at the bare hedgerows and I was doing my best to assuage her disappointment at the lack of blackberries when we came across three vacant little nests.

They were beautifully crafted and looked so comfortable with their mossed outers and fur-lined interiors agains the stiff branches. They were an unexpected gift.

I had been talking earlier today to a friend who is going through an extremely rough time, scratched and beaten by the harsh circumstances around her, she is in desperate need of little pockets of safety and comfort to just make 'doing life' a viable option. The nests made me think how vital it is to construct 'homes' in the midst of daily life. It doesn't matter what we use to make these safe havens - encouraging words, faces, films, art, a duvet, silence, God's presence - but we must have them scattered here and there amongst our weekly routine. Especially in the winter - whether literal or metaphorical.

Then tonight I watched Countryfile on iplayer, in particular the interview with David Hockney about his latest exhibition which I am going to see with Uncle Flower, at the Royal Academy in March.

Asked what he would like people to take from his amazing film in particular he said an understanding that ...

"looking is a more positive act than you think it is, it's something that you decide to do"

Any reminder of this is helpful for me. Whether it's the needs of a friend, places of safety and rest or glimpses of His holiness, may I strive to see.