Blogging is very much a hobby for me, a pretty part-time hobby. I seldom know, when I begin a post, how it will turn out. Usually I do have at least a sketchy idea to build on, but this evening I am writing totally on the fly; the only thing premeditated is the title. So let's take a look, and see what has been happening on my Plain dress journey.
Although I seldom dress ultra Plain (i.e., most times I wouldn't be taken as Amish by anyone who knew the first thing about the Amish) I have been Plaining around much more than when I wrote the April post. About a couple of times a week I wear a Mennonite-style dress to work; they have an attached cape but no apron, and I never wear a kapp or bonnet towork. I've received compliments on the dresses but no-one has mentioned that they're possibly a tad unusual, let alone asked me why I've taken to wearing them. Is that a sign of the times? Politically incorrect, maybe? Or has no-one really noticed? In any event, if I were hoping for this to be my ministry (which I'm not, especially) then up to now it's been a bit of a flop. Outside of work, for example grocery shopping, I sometimes wear a kapp and/or bonnet. Meeting attendance falls somewhere between the two -- plainer dresses and some form of head covering, but still no kapp or bonnet.
I'm still not sure where I stand with God. I certainly would like to believe, and am doing everything I can to keep the celestial lines of communication open. I pray regularly and continue to attend Meeting for Worship (though not as often as I would like), I donate to charities (even to panhandlers at the interstate off-ramp) and help old ladies across the street. OK, that last one I made up. Technically, I am an old lady; but if I saw another one of my kind who wanted to get across the street and needed help, I would do my bit.
A few weeks ago I was talking to a Jewish friend (with a small 'f') about the Old Testament, and what a bust I thought it was, and how was anyone expected to have any truck with a god who not only sanctioned but actually incited so much war, death, murder, and mayhem? She suggested that I read The Shack, by William Paul Young; so I did. It didn't do anything to change my views on the Old Testament, but it did help me to put into perspective 'why bad things happen to good people.' For anyone else who is similarly conflicted, I would suggest that you get your hands on a copy of the The Shack. You also could do worse than to read (as I do) a blog entitled Plainly Pagan... it's in My Blog List in the side bar (to the right).
When the idea of attending a Quaker Meeting first came to me, and after I'd done some cursory research, I felt that it was the right place for me. The meeting I attend is unplanned, i.e., no formal service, no minister, no sermons, just an hour of quiet meditation, punctuated by the thoughts of those who are moved to speak. This seemed pretty much ideal. But the reality is, for me anyway, that it's not quite what I had expected. For example:
- Many of the people who are moved to speak do not project their voice, and my hearing is not what it used to be, so their words are totally lost on me.
- Many of the thoughts and observations that I do manage to hear are not as profound as I had thought they might be.
- Often, these thoughts seem to have been gathered in advance of the Meeting; hence, the speaker was not moved by the Spirit during Meeting.
So I've been wondering... perhaps I should try somewhere with a bit more structure. Maybe I need to be preached to. I am giving this thought and waiting for guidance, but I do have a Mennonite church in mind, which is close to home and liberal in outlook... though as far as I'm aware, no-one there dresses Plain. For further developments, watch this space.
Otherwise, life goes on. My first foray into gardening met with mixed success. A few nice flowers, lots of tomatoes, some nuclear peppers, mint, and a few other odds and ends made the venture rewarding. All the fruit trees and bushes perished and I have no idea why, but I intend to try again, next year. Meantime, I have just ordered some spring bulbs. I was disappointed with the display last spring (our first in the house), so I've ordered half a bushel of mixed daffodils, a load of mixed crocuses, some snowdrops, and some bluebells. Let's hope I will have some nice pictures to post in a few months' time.
As I often do, I leave you with a request... please leave me your comments, nice or nasty. I have never yet 'not published' a comment, so please give me your thoughts and opinions.
Blessings in abundance,
Sandra
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