Unforced Rhythms of Grace

Hello friends,

I pray that you are doing well.. I am so grateful that Spring is now in the air. The sunshine, the flowers and the birds singing just make everything seem more joyful! I especially love seeing the daffodils everywhere. And check out my amaryllis! Very exciting.

I continue to live on Nepal time and teach online. And I am really enjoying living in such a lovely place, having the freedom to walk on the beach every day, it not getting dark until midnight my time (!) and for the technology which enables to me still teach, to be involved in my Church and even getting to be part of my friend's choir! Getting up for early meetings is also suddenly no longer a problem when I am living 5h45m ahead of everyone else!

I am still awaiting vaccination before heading back to Nepal in person. It is amazing to me how quickly the vaccination programme is being rolled out here: to date more than 21 million have had their first vaccine. I am not on anyone's priority list to get one, however I am hoping to receive my first dose in May on the current roll-out forecast. That would then mean I could hopefully get my second dose in July and be back in Nepal in time for the start of the new academic year (end of July/beginning of August). And in the meantime, I am continuing to learn to be content in the circumstances I am in.

One new thing that God has impressed upon me in the last few months is the importance of taking a Sabbath. Learning healthy work and rest rhythms which are then more sustainable in the long-term.

Matthew 11:28-30 in The Message says:

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (emphasis mine)

Taking a Sabbath on a Sunday just doesn't work, because all of the work that I set the students for the coming week needs to be assigned by 8am on Monday morning. So Saturday is now our Sabbath day. And at the beginning it was really difficult, to be honest with you. I kept thinking about work and wanting to check my emails.. but now, as soon as it gets to Wednesday/Thursday I start looking forward to the Sabbath and it's a joy to have some breathing space every week where I know that I can totally switch off from work and sleep for a long time, take longer walks, cook, read and pray. It also means that I push myself more on Friday to get as much done as I can. If you are currently not taking a day off every week, I would really encourage you to try it.

This morning, we went to watch the sunrise at the harbour. I created a "Soaking" video - do watch and listen and rest for 7 minutes! It includes piano music from my wonderful friend Megan.

Love to each of you

Hannah