Clearing out the rubbish

Rubbish to be cleared from Plot 64

Well although it’s all gone a bit foggy again over the last couple of days, this weekend felt like Spring really was on its way and it gave us a good opportunity to get stuck into the new plot (Plot64) at Norwood. The new plot has been out of use for sometime and is quite neglected and overgrown, but the major task before we can start growing anything is to clear out all the rubbish – piles of it (as you can see from the picture!)

At the moment we’re in the period we Christians call Lent – the time that we prepare and look ahead to Easter. Traditionally it’s a timing for giving things up (chocolate always seems to be a favourite – maybe in anticipation of the over indulging of Easter eggs in a few weeks time!) and for reflection and prayer. Well all things rubbish got me reflecting on the rubbish we pile up in our lives that maybe we need to get rid of. Some of it, like some of the stuff on the allotment might have been useful once, like the hurt we carry from past and broken relationships or let downs, some of it might never had any use in the first place – but however it got there, and whatever our reason for holding on to it sometimes there comes a moment when we have to make the decision and just get rid.

We’ve still got more clearing to do on the plot but until we do there’s not much point in starting to plant anything new – but in time, clearing a particular spot each time we go, it will be ready and we can start to look ahead to a new season of growth.

Stopping & starting

The fact that today is Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday) means two things, first it gives a great excuse for me to enjoy my favourite toppings, usually golden syrup or brown sugar, on one of Angelas wonderful pancakes – but also it means that tomorrow is Ash Wednesday which in the Christian calendar marks the start of Lent.

Lent is that time when we start to focus our attention towards Easter and everything it means for us and the world, it’s also a time that many of us use to draw closer to God through reflection, fasting and whatever else motivates us. The idea of fasting, or “giving things up” for Lent is one of three key elements that all sit side by side throughout the forty days, these are:

Fasting: (Which might include stopping eating chocolate or meat, or even nowadays giving up using facebook or texting). Prayer: (Perhaps by following a special lent series, or going on a retreat). Charitable giving: (Over and above any giving that would normally be done throughout the rest of the year).

Lent is also a time that can be used to start new habits and ways of living – perhaps by committing ourselves to increasing our re-cycling, or by cutting down on the amount of water or energy we use.This year we’ve taken a family approach to Lent with us all signing a shared approach to a mix of things we intend to stop and start throughout Lent in 2012.

 “The Waterfield Family Lent Agreement 2012: This year for Lent each of us agrees to the following things – we are doing this to hopefully make us think about the things we have been blessed with, and to help us focus on living healthier and in ways that are better for us and the planet. All these things we do with and for our God who loves us.

1. Nick will be following the Christian Aid “Count Your Blessings” series.
2. Nick & Angela will NOT be eating any chocolates or sweets or cakes for the whole of Lent.
3. Imogen will be reading at least 15-20 minutes each day – and doing so knowing that some people in the world have no books at all to read.
4. As a family we will buy NO takeaways during Lent.”

Maybe you’ve made your own Lent promises, if you want to share them with just leave a comment here.