Yes yes - an odd title as the middle of winter is so close to us. Auckland, luckily for us, remains quite pleasant while others around these wobbly islands are shovelling snow and battling horizontal rain as is the practice. The sun remains a feature in our daily routine and I can still walk the dog and chat to the silver birches down the road without being drenched or attacked by savages.
The heat is on in all kinds of other ways. My work has involved some interesting challenges which have kept me on my toes, so to speak. The pastor can never claim the immunity of the pianist ("don't shoot me, I am only the pianist" etc), but there it is then. There are these special moments each week - like the little children at mainly music on a Friday (I have my favourites of course and most of them are quite indiscriminate in their affection) - and a visiting lady from Korea who thanked me today (long after many had gone and not in that obligatory and old fashioned way). There was an amazing sense that an angel had crossed the threshold. Her words were a balm and an encouragement.
In terms of the heat being on, I am reading another of NT Wright's books (Surprised by Hope) in which some untertakers' stories are told as he introduces the modern take on death and dying. I do commend it to you. http://www.amazon.com/Surprised-Hope-Rethinking-Resurrection-Mission/dp/0061551821
In the narrative he tells of various artifacts placed in coffins of the deceased by family members including a lady who put two aerosol cans in with her late husband - spray cans of glue which he had used to keep his toupee on. Naturally the explosion in the crematorium oven was quite severe and bent the door of the furnace. Perhaps there is a lesson there somewhere about something. I'm not sure what but it is rather interesting. As the book develops it re enforces my suspicions that we have missed the point in our folksy views on heaven and the modern happy-death experiences espoused by many. Hopefully I finish this one (the book of course). I love the theme of hope too - I need lots in my life.
So why is my work such a challenge? That's a good question. I suppose in a sense it's the change in routine. So much of the week is spent preparing for one day of the week! I also miss the hordes of teenagers I encountered in my former role - young people who not only told it the way it is (or seemed to them at any rate) but also came to get help with admirable courage and honesty. I do miss that!
What's next as winter comes our way? I will keep you posted if there are any major developments. The sun has wandered off and some impertinent drizzle is attacking my window. The dog, dear friend that she is, has crawled under the bed and thus remains close to me as I write. For those of you who pray - your prayers are always valued immensely. May you find strength and grace in your journey if you too find that the heat is on.
For now I will keep reading NT Wright. I mentioned over Easter that the paradox of the resurrection story is that the future breaks into the present. Tom Wright seems to be moving in the direction of that kind of thinking. I might have to change my will at some point and opt for burial rather than cremation. Not that Wright insists that this is the logical consequence of his views. But it seems so decently orthodox and restful. And of course there will be no explosive consequences should anyone choose to pop something in the box before it slips out of sight.
Ah well. Then we shall see face to face. It will all make sense, according to 1 Corinthians 13.
Blessed be the name of the Lord!
