The unofficial end of summer

The calendar tells us that summer ends in mid-September, but we all know that the unofficial end to summer is when the kids go back to school!!!

That is when those lazy mornings and late evenings come to an end and are replaced by the routine and structure that the school schedule demands. Often this change of pace is welcomed with open arms by us mothers after a long summer. Usually a few weeks before school begins, children unconsciously "beg" for school and the regularity it brings, by their boredom . Never of course admitting that this may be the fundamental reason for their discontentment! But we parents know, don´t we!

There is though, a certain tension that arises at this point. It involves the feeling of wanting to hold on to those relaxed mornings and free days and yet it is counteracted with the longing to finally have order and schedule back in the picture. It´s an interesting phenomenon! There is a certain sense of loss coupled with an element of dread about facing the daily grind.

Tension :
a balance between and interplay of opposing elements or tendencies,a stress that produces an elongation of an elastic physical body;the physical condition of being stretched or strained; a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense;

It´s a well known fact, that many after their holidays fall into depression just thinking about returning to their daily responsibilities. But this healthy tension is something we can´t avoid. There will never be the one without the other. Each season has it´s pro's and contra's and the success lies in focusing on the positive of each to survive with some degree of mental health! We might not want to admit it but this tension actually helps keep us in balance and it helps us grow.

This morning while I was contemplating this tension I remembered Paul talking about a particular tension common to us all....

Romans 7:15......

I do not understand what I do.

For what I want to do I do not do,
but what I hate.... I do....

....For I have the desire to do what is good,
But I cannot carry it out.

So I find this law at work:
When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.......

For in my inner being I delight in God´s law, but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin.

What a wretched man I am... who will resuce me from this body of death?

THANKS BE TO GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!

In Chap 8 Pauls gives us the a way to deal with this tension, in that he describes the only way to be free from the law of sin is to live in accordance with the Spirit.

This is a very real tension for us all and I know that until we get to heaven, we will battle with it constantly. The very fact we struggle with sin will keep us humble and close to Jesus who helps us overcome by the power of His Spirit that lives within us.

Flying High!

More than anything else the sensation is one of perfect peace
mingled with an excitement that strains every nerve to the utmost,
if you can conceive of such a combination.
~Wilbur Wright

I have always had a fascination for flying, I think it is almost impossible not to! The Law of Gravity being constantly defied distinctly attracts one´s attention and demands the question be voiced, "how?"

A good friend of mine,who studied aerodynamics, once told me that the first year of study is spent giving reasons why it is impossible to fly!

Aerodynamically the bumblebee shouldn't be able to fly,
but the bumblebee doesn't know that
so it goes on flying anyway. ~Mary Kay Ash

There´s a lesson there somewhere!!

My love of planes and flying came of course from my father who was an avid lover of flight, and probably began when he used to take us to see the model airplanes that flew on Lancress Common on Sunday mornings.

I fly because it releases my mind
from the tyranny of petty things.
~Antoine de Saint-Exupery

My Dad also build his very own model biplane with engine, that sadly did not defy the law of gravity as was hoped. I must of been about 6yrs at the time and I can´t remember exactly how long it took him to build it... but being the perfectionist that he was, I imagine a good year would have done it.

Yes, there are planes and planes. My Dad loved the vintage ones, especially biplanes and his most beloved was the red baron with triple wings.... One thing that singled my Dad out from the rest was that he was not satisfied with the simple or straight forward in life, everything had to "earn" his respect and trust! The Red Baron was clearly a true example of this!

I have to agree with Dad when it comes to choice in aircraft. One could liken the super jets, the airbus 380 of today to ... fast food: in and out... from A to B in the shortest amount of time possible, convenience above all. (Which of course is the only way to go if you´re flying to visit friends or family...no slow enjoyment there!!! ) Whereas the vintage aircraft would compare to an exquisit 3 course meal in the Ritz: meant to be enjoyed with time and leisure, where every detail counts and where every sensation is to be experienced to the full.

When once you have tasted flight,
you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward,
for there you have been,
and there you will always long to return.
~Author Unknown

The movie "Out of Africa" , has many beautiful and outstanding landscape scenes (as well as a tragic love story) as being the winner of several oscars confirms. One of the most awesome of these being Denys and Baroness Blixen´s flight in biplane over the African Savannah.

I am always moved by this scene and find the excitement almost tangible as they glide over the plains, close enough to reach out and touch the wildlife....breath taking. I hope one day to do this myself and reach my hand back and clasp the hand of my fellow passenger mid flight, wear those incredibly attractive goggles(???!!!) and have my hair blowing in the breeze. This is flying at it´s best!

Both optimists and pessimists contribute to our society.
The optimist invents the airplane
and the pessimist the parachute.
~Gil Stern

Yes, flight captures that appealing element which each human being desires and longs for: the ability to fly above the worries and woes of this life and soar in the the sky of freedom. To be able to defy the gravity of "life."

I guess flight is the closest comparison we have to that spiritual dimension where we are able to soar on wings like eagles.... above the pain and the questions..where the wings of God´s presence and comfort lead us above these struggles and enable us to see the world from His perspective just as if we were flying in that biplane over the African Savannah holding His hand.......