Being watchful
“It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him.” J.R.R. Tolkien (The Hobbit)
I have waited eight years for the moment we would crack open this book with our kids, and this week it finally happened. Falling into this story as a family is akin to traveling the road with Bilbo all together, and I love love love it.
Tolkien had strongly held beliefs about the usefulness of escaping into a story as a way to ready ourselves for reality. On Monday we start our Annual General Conference, and though fortunately we don’t feel there are any sleeping dragons on our team to be watchful of, we certainly can identify a few in our hearts. Remembering to be as mindful of them as Bilbo must be as he tiptoes into the Lonely Mountain is important these next few weeks. We’ll be tired and irritable, no doubt, and could easily let that seep into our family time. I’ll be grateful for our quick trips to Middle Earth together where we can see truth mirrored and lived out in Tolkien’s subcreation while bonding over a shared literary experience.
We do need your prayers over the next two weeks!! Brian is busy preparing heart and mind for AGM, as are many others in the Branch. Pray that we would have wisdom in making loose plans for the future and that any misunderstandings would be identified and cleared up in the moment.
Margaret
Praying for you all. I know it will be wonderfully productive. God is good.
Ruth
Have fun reading Tolkien’s book together. We have been praying for the AGM prepartions and meetings and will continue to do so. May God’s Spirit lead each and every person.
Kathleen Barclay
How fun that you’ve started your journey into the Hobbit! I pray it will be an encouragement and great escape, especially as you are waiting and praying for your ministry future in this world!! Praying your AGM meeting has gone well and that you continue to proceed in the most effective way forward! We love you and are praying for you, here at Metrocrest Presbyterian!
God’s blessings and direction upon you!
Kathleen Barclay
Metrocrest Presbyterian Church
Carrollton, Tx.
Hannah author
So good to hear from you!! We think of you guys often and our very brief time there last summer. AGM did go well. It was challenging, but some very honest and open conversations came out of it. I believe that will allow us to move forward well!! Thanks so very much for praying!