I have today got back from a family holiday, during which we were all under the same roof for a whole week. That is a rare occasion these days, and I relished almost every moment of it.
I wrote whilst we were away about how precious those moments spent together really are, and how ultimately they eclipse whatever activities we happen to fill the days with. As long as we are together, that is what matters most.
Making memories.
I say I enjoyed almost every moment because Hank developed an eye condition, which required an emergency trip to the vet whilst we were away. He is due for a follow-up tomorrow and is feeling very sorry for himself at the moment. That said, he is still snoring beside me as I write this, so things cannot be too bad.
Apart from holidays, though, what has Sacred & Secular been about this month?
Before I launch into that, I want to welcome all the new subscribers who have joined us over the summer. It is wonderful to have you here. If you would like to know more about our little community, you can find some details at the bottom of this post. I am constantly humbled that so many people choose to make Sacred & Secular part of their reading.
This month, I have obviously been in something of a philosophical mood.
Posts such as Can We Explain Wonder?, Do We Know Enough?, and The Days We Assume Are Ours are just a few examples. We have explored some of the bigger questions: our place in the universe, what gives life meaning, the limits of certainty and why some of the things we take for granted perhaps deserve another look.
It has also been a month of discovering hidden details in familiar Bible stories.
If you have been around for a while, or followed my writing on Medium, you will know that I love reading a passage slowly and seeing what previously overlooked words, phrases and details begin to emerge. August has taken us into familiar passages, including the Good Samaritan, the Lost Sheep and Mary’s song.
Very often, the detail that catches my attention is not the obvious one. It might be a word we normally skim over, a cultural detail that would have meant far more to the original audience, or a question that only appears when we stop assuming we already know the story.
Those are some of my favourite reflections to write.
I also continue to explore a Bible passage on Tuesdays, usually taken from the lectionary reading for the following Sunday, if you happen to follow that kind of thing. I enjoy that rhythm because it gives us an opportunity to pause over passages that thousands of churches may be hearing only a few days later and perhaps notice something that might otherwise be missed.
As August draws to a close, it feels as though that familiar shift is happening again. Summer is beginning to give way to autumn, bringing with it that strange sense of new beginnings, fresh plans and the beautiful crisp air we get in this part of England at this time of year.
I have plans of my own for the months ahead.
Alongside continuing to provide daily reflections here, I am hoping to finish the second Sacred & Secular book in time for Christmas. There is still plenty of work to do, but I am excited about bringing another collection together under the theme Hidden in Plain Sight.
More than anything, though, I want Sacred & Secular to remain what it has gradually become. A place for finding God in the ordinary parts of life. A place to slow down for a few minutes in the middle of our sometimes busy schedules. A place to think, wonder, question and reflect.
Some days that might mean looking at the night sky and wondering about our place in the universe. On others, it might mean noticing a single overlooked word in a familiar Bible story. Sometimes it may simply mean recognising that sitting around a table with the people we love matters far more than whatever happens to be on the itinerary.
Perhaps the sacred has always been hiding in places like those; we just need reminding sometimes.
Thank you once again for being part of this little community. It really is a constant joy, and the very act of writing these reflections continues to draw me closer to God.
I had better go and help with the post-holiday unpacking now.
From me and a slightly sorry-looking Hank at S&S HQ,
New to Sacred & Secular? You will find everything about our community here.
If you enjoy these reflections, you may also be interested in my book, Sacred & Secular: Finding God in the Ordinary, available worldwide on Amazon. The USA link is here.
Thank you for calling me back to daily Bible reading with a far more nuanced reading of the Word. My prayers continue for an extraordinary breakthrough in your health challenges. Please also extend my thanks to Rachel. I can just imagine some of the ways she makes your mission possible.
Thank you, Paul. I enormously appreciate what you do and what details you find and reflect about in scripture. We’ve just returned home 24h later than expected after experiencing a flight cancellation, one amongst several at the same time, but impressed by how EasyJet dealt with the sudden problems of at least 500 passengers.