Late Advent

It has been a week of many interesting experiences. First my house was a young men's hostel of sorts. Since their exams were over, my younger son's friends, one or two each time have been staying over. They are 'nocturnal' creatures - in that they all come back after dinner/supper at the mamak stalls - usually way into the night (I am thankful these days I just sleep rather than staying up to wait!) and spend the first part of the daylight hours sleeping. Usually I would have gone out for errands and returned as they start waking up. Anyway, this came to a pause yesterday when a group of them including Naren went to Singapore to stay at one of the group's place for a few days.

Topaz our 'fostered' dog is doing well physically. But her temperament is one we did not quite expect. She has calmed down a lot, does not bark excessively, but is an aloof and self possessed dog. Bonds well with humans who take care of her, but has no interest in other dogs. Perhaps she finds Sabbath a real 'pushover' - Sabbath is now so wary of her occasional snaps (though it hardly happens now) that she goes near to smell, only to jump away at Topaz's slightest movement! We get real laughs from that. But Topaz is just not the playful type. I guess she has been taught to be a serious watchdog. It looks like it would be better to let the rescuer find a home more suited to her temperament.

Sometimes taking a break from church and having informal reflections with friends can be refreshing. I was grateful for a friend who skipped her church service and came over to do so today. It was helpful to hear someone else's experience of Advent - and the graced waiting we are called to embrace. I was touched by her sharing that these days she realizes more and more that life is not linear - neither our personal life experiences nor the Christian spiritual journey. How true and how comforting to recall that God's ways with us are so dynamic, never static - how he accommodates every one of our decisions, into his greater plan. How even the incarnation was brought about despite the unfaithfulness of his people and the political circumstances. "Chronos" time is made "kairos" by the coming of Emmanuel, once two thousand plus years ago, now at every graced moment, and one day in glory. Amen.