Too much or not enough?

This week's post is going to cover a topic that I have been struggling with for a few months. How much is "enough"?

My personal commitments to my church ministry and to the wider mission field (Street Pastors, Cold Weather Shelter) have been made increasingly difficult due to my current health. I've struggled through things over the last six months and managed to keep things going, but it has certainly had a toll on me. Falling over and twisting my ankle in March didn't help...

My family have been telling me to slow down. They think I do too much. That's probably good advice. But I don't want to consider stopping. 

Am I being selfish? I have asked myself that question over and over again. And I think I got the answer last night...

Whilst out on a Street Pastors patrol on Good Friday, I got into a deep conversation with a guy outside one of the venues. He couldn't understand why I wanted to be out at 2am. When I told him I did it so he could feel safe, his attitude changed. Why would I do that for him?

Why did my Lord give His life for me, so many years ago? So that I could show His love, His compassion,  to others.

As much as I can. For as long as I can.

Three Quotes About Small Talk

“Let’s clear one thing up: Introverts do not hate small talk because we dislike people. We hate small talk because we hate the barrier it creates between people.” ~ Laurie Helgoe

“Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.” ~ Plato

“[Introverts] listen more than they talk, think before they speak, and often feel as if they express themselves better in writing than in conversation. They tend to dislike conflict. Many have a horror for small talk, but enjoy deep discussions.” ~ Susan Cain

Saturday Catch-Up - 6th April 2019

I spent a lot of my time looking at blue.
The colour of my room and my mood:
Blue on the walls, blue out of my mouth;
The sort of blue between clouds, when the sun comes out,
The sort of blue in those eyes you get hung up about.

When that feeling of meaninglessness sets in,
Go blowing my mind on God:
The light in the dark, with the neon arms,
The meek He seeks, the beast He calms,
The head of the good soul department.

I see myself suddenly
On the piano, as a melody.
My terrible fear of dying
No longer plays with me,
for now I know that I'm needed
For the symphony.
(lyrics from 'Symphony in Blue' by Kate Bush)