Dear Colleagues and Friends,
 

We always have too much to do.

Even when we’re doing nothing, we feel we should be doing something.

As a Quaker, I attend Quaker Meeting for Worship—where it looks like we’re doing nothing - we sit and wait on God, in silence.  In a circle, or online, we come together and wait, expectantly, with hope and openness.  Sometimes people fidget, yawn, sleep.  We might read - there’s always a copy of our Faith & Practice on the table, with a Bible perhaps - and some flowers.  Sometimes God speaks freely, sometimes not at all.  But we’re actively listening, to God and each other and ourselves.

Advices & Queries 28 is one of my favourite passages - it’s a reminder to listen and discern, to God, the Spirit, one another.   It’s a reminder to put the oxygen mask on yourself before helping others.  And a reminder that giving something up might be right, and that extending the kindness we give to each other to ourselves is divine.

Whether you’re leading a school, a class, or team, or whether you’re just trying to do your best - sometimes love requires us to stop, listen, and sometimes give up.  Give up control, or a task - and ask for help, extending to ourselves the kindness we find for others.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

    He makes me lie down in green pastures;

he leads me beside still waters;

    he restores my soul.

He leads me in right paths

    for his name’s sake.

Psalm 23:1-3

from Ellen Cross, DBE Administrator