Dear Friends,

 

I dread those conversations which begin ‘I know how busy you are, but…..’, not because I sense another demand on my time looming, but because when ‘being busy’ is someone else’s perception of my life, it means that somehow I’ve got it wrong. I don’t want to be always rushing around frantically hither and thither, ticking off the jobs on the daily ‘to do’ list.

Even if that is how the reality is, I’d rather be like a swan, giving the impression of gliding serenely through life, while furiously paddling below the surface.

 

The truth is that ‘busy-ness’ has become a social necessity these days. Clergy are among the worst offenders: try getting a group of clergy to agree on a date for a future meeting, and they go into full ‘busy people mode’, as they compare diaries, vying with each other as to whose is the fullest - to have a blank page somehow seems like a sign of an unfulfilled life, even, perhaps a suggestion of laziness. But it’s not just us; even small children have their lives organised into busy schedules by ambitious parents, as they are transported from drama to guitar lessons to gym club to Rainbows….., and for the retired, too, there is increasingly an expectation that life ought to be very full, so that you sometimes hear them saying ‘I don’t know how I ever found time to work!’.

 

Now, I am a great believer in ‘seizing the day’, and making the most of all the opportunities that come our way. But I do think that there are times for doing nothing – just ‘being’, watching the busy world go by, and letting go of the compulsion to get things done. I’ve just read again the story of Martha and Mary, the two sisters who were friends of Jesus. When he went to visit them in their home, Martha rushed around, busying herself in the kitchen getting a meal ready, while Mary sat and simply listened to Jesus. Martha, understandably, got cross that she was left to do all the work (and I must admit, I have always sympathised with her!). But Jesus reminded her that there are times when we need to recognise that even the most pressing jobs need to be set aside, so that we can concentrate on more important things. Mary knew that the most important thing was to make the most of the opportunity to listen to the most special guest they would ever entertain. She was right. I wonder where I would have been that day – in the kitchen?

 

It is, of course, about priorities: about recognising what really matters, and letting go of the things that are not so important. The poet T.S.Eliot wrote:

 

‘Teach us to care, and not to care;

Teach us to sit still.’

 

For anyone who wants to keep their faith alive, times of quiet ‘doing nothing’ are essential. That’s why the retreat movement has grown in popularity, as more and more people have learned to appreciate the value of ‘time out’ – time spent listening to that still small voice which can only be heard when other noise ceases. August is a good time to have some ‘retreat time’ – not necessarily going away to a ‘holy place’, but making space for quiet and stillness, wherever we are, switching from a Martha role to being Mary – not being busy, but simply listening. I’m pleased to say that – at the moment – the diary for August is looking encouragingly empty. I’ll try to keep it that way, and not to feel guilty about it!

           

            Drop thy still dews of quietness,

            till all our strivings cease;

            take from our souls the strain and stress,

            and let our ordered lives confess

the beauty of thy peace.’

 

Have a peaceful, quiet August – and don’t do very much!

 

With love, Rosey