It occurred to me that apt is probably a shortened way of saying appropriate. The sentiment behind both words are similar – it’s fitting, it’s on point, it’s right for the context.
It occurred to me when I was reflecting on life at the moment and how March went. As implicit in the name, March came and went and with it was the completion of the first quarter of 2019. I had fun in 2018 referring to quarters as though they were points on a clock – although to be fair it’s apt once more that just as there are 12 numbers on an analogue clock so there are 12 months in the calendar so it can work like a clock that way – yeah, it goes like clockwork.
That was 2018, though, and it’s not everything I did in 2018 that I’m obliged to do in 2019.
With that in mind it was fitting to just use this time especially to have a look at how things have gone so far this year and especially in the last month.
The big thing for me in March was the project of going through the minor prophets. I had noted that it’s been a while since I took on a bible study type exercise with regular blogs. That worked out to be a good discipline to keep the theme of whatever it was prominent in my thinking and doing. That was definitely the case in March. I found myself communicating with some friends about what I was reading and its implications like it was current events. in fact I began seeing current events through a kind of prophetic perspective. No, I didn’t get the word for what should happen in the country or in the city or even in my own community. What did happen was that I was thinking more consciously about how referring back to God’s vision for humanity should shape engagement on an individual and communal level. What God’s word in the past was saying in the present to help shape future actions. That was the kind of trip I was on throughout March.
That was particularly helpful because the family faced some challenging times both in terms of health and other pressing concerns through the month. I am fairly certain I would not have been able to navigate those challenges if my mind wasn’t as consciously aware of God’s word in the past speaking in the present to guide my future footsteps. There’s something about hearing the Lord of Justice and Mercy and be able to throw myself on those mercies that was very assuring in those challenges.
Thank God, as April begins, the health challenges in particular have been dealt with constructively. There were also some developments in the month that made us think carefully about relationships and community and although on the surface it looked unpleasant, working our way through that, we’ve been able to see the importance of the process and be assured that it’s worth sticking with the process and being patient.
I am particularly grateful to God for the time afforded to be able to write – it’s been a hugely enjoyable exercise in March. Sure, there were elements of it that were therapeutic but overall it just felt as though I was doing what I’ve been gifted to do for years and feeling the flow of that over March and indeed since the turn of the year, has been massively refreshing and reinvigorating.
As well as the writing, the reading has picked up significantly which is particularly a great thing for my offspring. Leading by example in that area by taking in more reading as well as seeing points of application and taking steps to that end is a development I’m delighted with. It’s even got to the stage that I have voluntarily invested in reading a work of fiction! That’s a major thing for me, because non-fiction has tended to give me all the fiction I needed, so to actually delve into all that on purpose is a fascinating exercise.
Teaching opportunities have ebbed and flowed through March and although there were one or two setbacks, overall there have been more steps forward where that is concerned. Doing that is also something I thoroughly enjoy. Engaging, encouraging and to a degree enabling students to tap into techniques, methods and approaches to the material that they can take ownership from and noting their development of confidence and competence in that is a sense of accomplishment that is exhilarating and humbling. Things are on this score are set to be intensified this month, but the same God who took me to this point is able to help me thrive in this season.
Back on the writing and I must give thanks to God and to you who read this blog. March was the most successful month for blog activity for quite a while – and that’s measured by views, engagement and other positive stats. That’s immensely pleasing to me and is a spur to keep on with the blogging. So thank you for popping in to read and I trust I’ll keep committed to the task for as long as the Lord allows me.
More than ever I am reminded that my life belongs to God and there are brighter days ahead as long as I remain focused on Jesus.
In the meantime, thanks again for your support even by just reading this here blog and the material here. Please remember my family and I in your thoughts/prayers – praying that we’ll be apt for April.
(Photo by Evgeny Lazarenko on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 