"To see oorsels as ithers see us"

Sitting upstairs in the study... well, in the spare bedroom that houses a desk and a couple of bookcases, which at the moment is strewn with all sorts of paraphernalia, and before anyone checks, I can confirm the spelling is correct. I could of course simply say there is a lot of "bumph" lying around. Anyway, the place is a bit of a midden as I troll through various caravan park books, bus and railway timetables and other items whilst planning our route between Lands' End and John O'Groats. 

We were still out and about during the day though, hoofing it here and there, we walked up to Canada Woods again and as usual there were quite a few dogs out with their "hoomans". I think it's fair to say that Shona and I can never really resist saying hello to any dog that approaches us, the photo on the right is one such "bonnie wee laddie" who was carrying such a huge branch. When we started speaking to his "hooman" and said how beautiful he looked and loved his colour she asked us if we knew what type of dog he was. We said that he looked a bit like a collie, but we were wrong, he's actually a "Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever". Nope, we had never heard of the breed.  They are the smallest of the American Kennel Clubs retrievers, are very intelligent, affectionate, and eager to please. Throw a stick or ball for a tireless "Toller" until your right arm falls off, and he will ask you to throw left-handed. The have a very distinctive red coat as you can see in the photo.

Another thing we noted this week was that we were regularly getting honked at by those who know us as they drive by, some of you must get a good laugh at the "glaikit" (gormless) look on our faces as we wave back, trying to work out who it is that has peeped at us. If you are one of them, then thanks for noticing us, although Shona usually jumps a bit and says, "whose peeping, what a fright it gave me"! 

We then met a man on Monday evening who we didn't know, but who lives round the corner from us, who said he thought we must like walking because we are always out. That gave us the opportunity to let him know that we were actually in training and what for. 

It's not the first-time people have told us how often they've seen us walk past their houses hence the title of this week's waffle, that reminds us that others do see us, and it challenges us as to what they see. 

This reminded me of a story I read in one of my "Broons Books" many years ago. Now for those who don't know "The Broons" were a fictional, cartoon strip, family. Initially found in one of the Scottish Sunday papers, along with a strip about a wee scamp called "Oor Wullie". However, an annual album was produced which was a must have for many a Scots household. Find yourself a copy I'm sure you will enjoy the fun and capers they get up to.

Anyway, there was one  story about an unscheduled visit to the "Broon hoose" by the local "Meenister". Maw Broon was horrified, as the "hoose wis in a "richt (right) midden" and the best room in no fit state for the "Meenister" to see, so Maw enlisted the whole family to cover up all the mess, one of the family hiding a bit of worn carpet another hiding a cobweb, yet another, the tall skinny Hen Broon, holding up a piece of ceiling paper that had dropped a bit, other family members were used to hide other unsightly bits and pieces. 

You know as I think of that funny story and how Maw so wanted to portray a house that was fit for an important visitor. I am reminded that so very often we try to hide all the bits we think are not fit for others to see, or perhaps try and hide that we are struggling with life in general.

That reminded me of a story in the first Book of the Bible, Genesis chapter16. In verse 13 there is a phrase that says, (in a modern translation) “You are the God who sees me". 

Now that can be both a sobering and encouraging thought. For no matter how much we try to cover up, the not so nice parts of our lives there is One who can see them, and in many places the bible tells us we all have them, and calls it sin, the bible also says we can do nothing about getting rid of them permanently by ourselves. That, the bible says, can only be done by trusting and believing in The Lord Jesus Christ, for by His death on the cross He is able to save us from them.

On the other hand it is encouraging to know, when we are going through a difficult patch, "God sees us": He knows the trouble we may be in, He knows the problems we face, He knows when we are hurting and yes grieving, the truth is, if we believe in Him, He promises: "never to leave us or forsake us".

I do hope you keep seeing as we are "oot 'n aboot", please give us a peep, give us a shout or a wave even if only do this to have a laugh at us lookin' glaikit !