Harvest

Many years in Scotland I planted pumpkin seeds more in hope than expectation.  Every year they'd start to grow, somtimes they even produced a few flowers, but then the Scottish climate would swing into action and my poor plants would shrivel in the frost and damp before they ever had a chance to fruit.  The Nigerian climate is somewhat different.  I planted seeds and pumpkins tried to take over my garden.  It's so exciting (OK, I lead a quiet life) to go out and play "spot the pumpkin" among the leaves.  Perhaps next year the novelty will have worn off but at the weekend I was so proud to harvest my first proper pumpkin ever and as Fraser pointed out, it was as heavy as a set of twins.

Recently I've often been praying this prayer from the Nothumbria Community morning liturgy (www.northumbriacommunity.org).  Since we arrived in Nigeria a year ago God has been walking closely with us and this prayer encapsulates that.

Christ, as a light

illumine and guide me.

 Christ, as a shield

overshadow me.

Christ under me;

Christ over me;

Christ beside me

on my left and my right.

This day be within and without me,

lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.

Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;

in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.

This day be within and without me,

lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.

Christ as a light;

Christ as a shield;

Christ beside me

on my left and my right.

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with us,

wherever He may send us.

May He guide us through the wilderness,

protect us through the storm.

May He bring us home rejoicing

at the wonders He has shown us.

May He bring us home rejoicing

once again into our doors.