The Good Times

Well, it's been a good few days (week or so) for me.

I have a new job that is a delight to me.  My leaving of Northampton is not without sadness and a tinge of failure, but the new job is so enticing.  A chance to do more research at a stronger research institution, a Centre of Excellence in the very area of Professional Practice that has been the focus of my study for the last few years. 15 months after my professional world seemed to collapse around me I sit in awe of the way that I've been lead; how that time has helped me re-focus, how God is very much larger and how the new job is so well fitted to where I should go.  I'm pleased, also, that it does not involve a promotion.  In a strange way that seems to confirm the path.  Does that make sense?

The new job is not all.  This week an eminent Professor has suggested doing a double-hander with me at a conference.  Moi? :-0 Golly.  Then a meeting with a large company went very well and could lead to an opportunity for me to work with senior managers there.  And on Thursday I facilitated a major workshop upon which depended the jobs of three people.  It went well, the future seems a little more secure for my friends and my reputation has been more firmly established...

Yes, a good week

and yet a difficult one too. For as my mind got wrapped in the intricacies of my profession, as I sought to do my job well and progress projects that I consider important; I have found it so hard to keep my heart on Christ as "the one thing necessary", "the one thing that I seek". 

"Lowly and meek, yet all powerful"

I've blogged about this before; that prayer resonated strongly again this morning during morning prayer. Hild, abbess of Whitby, was born into a royal family and gave counsel to Kings and princes of the church.  She was a leader of men and women.  She was intimately involved in the great events of her day.  She would understand my struggling ambition and submission and her prayer has become a frequent refrain for me:

"Lord, show me the right seat;
find me the fitting task;
give me the willing heart."

Comments

[graham]

Great news, but don't go!

[Caroline]

Oh, I'm only off to the Open University, Graham. You don't get rid of me that easily! I'll stay in Northamptonshire.

[Jason Clark]

Congratulations Caroline! When are you defending your P.hD, it's coming up soon isn't it? Jason

[Amanda]

Congratulations on your new job, it often strikes me that your work is about showing people ways to show love in the context of work systems.

And thanks too for inspiring me to say the daily offices with the Northumbia community.