"We want everyone to walk out of our store with a 'plus' in their bags: something that adds to who they are and who they want to be." - WHSmith's over-the-top application form, exhorting employees to be passionate about pens

Lifting up my eyes

Saturday 6 March 2010 5.26 pm

We've been learning a new worship song at church recently, and I quite like it. It's a Matt Redman, for those who care about such things, and along with some fairly standard worship song lyrics and a catchy tune that people can all sing along to, there is the following mid-section:

We lift up our eyes
Lift up our eyes
You're the giver of life

This appeals to me. If I'm feeling sad, and the last thing I want to do is wave my hands above my head while singing, "We bow down on our knees", I can still lift my eyes to my God who cares. If I'm uncomfortable in a new church or don't even know Jesus, I can still lift my eyes. And if I'm full of the joys of spring and really in the mood for a holy boogie, lifting up my eyes won't clash with that either!

The eight repeats of this particular refrain also give me plenty of opportunity to reflect on what lifting my eyes might really mean for me as I walk around this world. I might notice people more. My troubles might be put into perspective and seem less overwhelming. I might see as God sees and spot people's real issues through their defences. I might observe so much more that would make me happy and full of praise.

And I might bump into fewer lamp-posts.

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If only all decisions were as easy as this

Saturday 27 February 2010 3.33 pm

Forget career choices or finding a wife - some people face the most difficult decisions in life every time they step on the Tube. Or indeed a bus.

Picture the scene - you've just settled down, engaged your iPod and assumed the facial expression that indicates that you would not even notice if a 74-piece marching band embarked at the next stop. But you're still looking really.

First a lady of medium build gets on, and your first task is to carefully analyse the size and shape of her waist. If it is a baby she carries, you ought to stand up; if it is too much chocolate, you must spare her blushes and definitely retain your position (and expression).

Next, a gentleman boards, and you estimate he must be in his fifties. This guess is critical; if he is in fact elderly, it's the end for your seat. If he is only 45 and hasn't yet come to terms with middle age, standing would be a Very Bad Move. Especially if you're 45 yourself and haven't come to terms with your middle age yet either.

But don't forget: disabled people also get priority, and you don't want to risk a dark look from that young man with learning difficulties, who may at any moment brandish his concealed disabled badge.

Maybe it's simpler just to pretend you were getting off anyway, and walk the rest of the way.

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Let's repeat that line again ... and again

Saturday 20 February 2010 9.37 am

It could be anything from the catchy national anthem of El Salvador to the unrepeatable last lines of "Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher" in Billy Elliot.

It's not whole songs that go round in my head - usually just one line. Again, and again and again, like the end of a worship set in church when the worship leader has five extra minutes to fill before the next item.

What goes round in yours?

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Here's to happy couples

Saturday 13 February 2010 2.30 pm

I'm very proud of my brother. Not only because he's just got engaged to a lovely girl and we're all very excited to welcome Louise as the first new Wakeling in over 20 years. But also because he didn't propose on Valentine's Day. Yay for an original thinker!

So in honour of them and all the other happy couples out there (even those who will be piling on the cliches tomorrow), I hereby present what I reckon the register signing ought to look like for every modern 21st century couple. Possibly.

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