Being ready

Last weekend we were invited to our neighbour's 40th birthday party. Having moved in barely over a year ago, we hardly know her, so it was very sweet of her to ask us. We accepted, looking forward to meeting new people and getting to know our neighbour's family a little better. The small boys often visit our garden to collect the football they have inadvertently kicked over the hedge, but we only rarely see their parents. We really don't know them particularly well at all.

So it was with a little trepidation that we prepared to get ready. We suspected that there might be high-flying business colleagues there, or some very yummy mummies, so took greater pains than usual to get ready. Dress code? No idea. Smart casual perhaps, whatever that means.

We are sociable, often inviting friends round, but tend to dress very casually ourselves. 'Smart dos' which involve cocktail dresses or black ties are not our thing: indeed, you could say are to be avoided with plague-like responses. So my husband had to hunt through his wardrobe for smarter shoes - deck shoes being the best he could come up with, in contrast to the trainers he usually lives in. Then there was the problem of a smart shirt whose collar was not in the slightest bit frayed or worn: we eventually found one and quickly got out the ironing board. Then, the trousers. The bottom half of a suit? Or perhaps a clean pair of jeans, if such a thing existed? There was indeed a pair at the back of the wardrobe which had somehow survived gardening, woodwork, car repairs and loft insulation. Finally, what to wear on top? The most respectable sweater seemed careworn, to say the least, but there was nothing else better, so I dusted off bits of fluff, a wealth of dog hair and the odd strand from one of the two humans who live in our house.

As for me, I pulled on a stretchy, lacy black dress which seems to fit the bill for almost every occasion. It's taken a while to settle on a 'go to' outfit, but this dress seems to work for me without too much trouble. I was ready, at least.

But this got me thinking. How am I spiritually dressed, ready to engage with an unfamiliar culture? Are my feet "fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace."? Do I need to clean my shoes, brushing off strife and unforgiveness, polishing them so that they reflect a patina of peace, friendliness and calm?

Do I need to ensure that "the belt of truth  (is) buckled around (my) waist"? The truth that, regardless of what I look like, whether my clothes are expensive or off the cheapest rack in town, or are old and in need of refurbishment, I am a precious and loved daughter of The King? Do I know that it really doesn't matter how good (or not) my make up is, I am adored and beautiful in God's sight? Do I know that I do not need man's (or woman's) approval or favour, because the GOD of ANGEL-ARMIES has sacrificed the world for me? 

Ephesians 6:10 - 17 says:"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,   In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

The Message says:
 "God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out."

So we were, indeed, prepared. We giggled over our scruffiness and inept attempts at 'being smart', but went next door confident that we were taking Jesus with us. And it was a very enjoyable evening. Drinks and nibbles, lots of noise, but a warm welcome to a crowd of lovely, ordinary people, friends and family gathered to celebrate a birthday. And we got to know these rather reserved, shy neighbours just a little better.

Grateful for the opportunity, grateful to be serving a Commander far more powerful than anything the world can throw at us. Even in the face of the possibility of smart, suave, super-chic and 'high-powered' people.

When life gives you lemons - make lemon curd.

A good friend, many years ago, used to refer to James 1:2 - 4: " Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way." My friend, a diminutive blond Dane, would ask, smiling hugely: "So, when the elephant of Circumstances sits on you, what do you produce: sour lemon juice, or sweet orange juice?"

Sweet orange juice was, of course, the preferred answer, the one we all aim for. To be sweet and faithful and loving in spite of desperate circumstances. To bring light and joy. Nothing sour about us, please.

Yet lemons are a truly wonderful fruit. Their strong, tangy scent is, in my opinion, far superior to their more insipid cousins, the plain oranges. I could wax lyrical about the many uses and benefits of lemons, but today, it is lemon curd I want to focus on.

When life gives you lemons, make lemon curd.

Lemon curd* - a delicious preserve made from lemons, sugar, eggs and  butter - makes everything better. I make lemon curd when:

• I feel a little down or discouraged, needing a lift to my spirits.
• I feel the need to be creative in some way - a good way of relaxing
• I want to give a friend a little gift: a tiny jar of lemon curd is always gratefully received.
• I have lemons in the fridge begging to be used up.
• I crave a little sweetness.

Making lemon curd gives me so much and teaches me so many things. I learn to appreciate that:

Injury can release a sweet fragrance into the atmosphere. Today, I grated the rind before I went out to church, leaving the rind and lemons sitting on the counter. On my return, the whole house smelt deliciously of a subtle citrus fragrance. The wounded skin released its scent into the air, permeating every room.

As I gently rasped the skin against the harsh grater, I  thought of how wounds, willingly given to God, are offered up to him as a pleasing sacrifice. The lemon couldn't but help release a delicate, fresh aroma: I longed to be as gentle and generous when circumstances grate on or trouble me.

Creating is a slow process. The making of lemon curd cannot be hurried. Heat the mixture too fast, and the egg will cook on its own, resulting in pieces of egg white marring the consistency. 

Circumstances can change rapidly. Stirring has to be rapid,vigorous, watchful, so that nothing spills over and the mixture does not stick. 

Cooking requires a degree of concentration and watchfulness. Look away for a moment, and the mixture may curdle or boil over. 

Making lemon curd encourages calm. As I stir the curd, giving it my full attention, I feel my spirit calm and quiet down. I focus on the pan, stirring gently, swirling the mixture first this way, then that; round and round, first clockwise, then in the contrary direction. Sometimes I draw figure of eight in the surface with the whisk.  Sometimes, I just stir. And stir. I contemplate. I wait. 

The final product may not be smooth and trouble-free. When I make lemon curd, I like to keep the rind in to give it extra tangyness to counteract the sweetness. The resultant curd may have bits of rind or pulp. It reminds me that even when God works powerfully to bring about good, there may still be - there WILL be - lumps and bumps, but life is sweet, flavoursome and far more precious than a jar of delicious lemon preserves.

I make lemon curd. I lose stress and hurry. I grow patience. I receive peace.

When life gives you lemons, receive them as a gift. Make lemon curd.

*Lemon curd recipe: makes approximately two 340g jars.

Grate the rind of 3 large lemons (or 2 large lemons and 1 small orange) and squeeze the juice.

Add to a small pan with 2 ounces of butter, 3 large eggs and a cup (or slightly less) of white sugar.

Add an extra squeeze of lemon juice from a bottle - about 2 tablespoons.

Stir, with a wire whisk, constantly over medium heat until the mixture starts to thicken. Do not boil.

Pour into sterilized jars, cover, and keep in the fridge.

Words of wisdom to remember

Some words of wisdom - oh, to remember this when I need it!