Are we the Privileged Ones?
Sixteen of us went to Jamaica to 'visit the men who come to Canada to work on the fruit farms on the Niagara Peninsula.' WE Canadians went with ample money in our pockets, gifts for the Sunday Schools and dried food, even some Canadian juice in case juice would be hard to buy in a country full of fruit trees!!
On our 2nd day there we traveled to three different areas, 6 people in two areas and 4 in our particular area. Even though we had been there before, we forgot how happy the less fortunate were, when we thought they should be unhappy!! After all most of the people we went to see live in small houses with one, maybe two, very tiny bed-rooms in which any where from 2 to many people live, often including up to 3 generations. Now that's crowded!!
Then what about their food? Surely if they only own a little farm??? about an acre in size or maybe just a few square feet of ground around their homes, they could never have enough to eat!! But there are trees producing food in abundance all throughout the year in the bushes, on the mountains, along the road-sides. Some of the trees produce tuber vegetables like the yam, and there's always an acki tree, or bread fruit, papaya and soursap, just to name a few, producing fruit year round. The folk in the country may have a sparce living, but they don't go to bed hungry and they seem very happy with what they have.
But what about us?- could we be as content with the simple life? Of course, if you have never known any different, you wouldn't be unhappy. However sometimes I feel we do a disservice to the Caribbean workers, the people from the Third world, when we bring them to Canada where they see our abundance and our dissatisfaction with what we have - you know, keeping up with the Jones's, always wanting new things, a bigger house, a larger TV, a video camera - the list goes on for the things we think we need to make us happy.
One of our hostesses had orchids in every room including the bathroom and in every available spot out of doors. She gets up at 5 in the morning to run, then water all her flowers. But of course that wasn't one of the shacks; that was a bungalow with three bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, etc. I helped her son (about 11 year old) learn how to write computer language so he could have his own web page. Their children are eager to learn, most of them love to go to school. After all it's a privilege all the island children do not have and they know it.
I didn't go into their private schools, but I did see a church-sponsored public school where children sat two to a desk, with at least 40 children in the room with a pencil and a scribbler. That was all! to work with. In one home I leafed thru the Primary I lesson guide for the whole year! all in one book! It took about two pages to set out the lesson plan for the day and the week. It's date was 1972!! The government and the churches are trying to get some up-graded lesson materials.
Are we the privileged ones? I really wonder! Maybe our complicated, expensive lifestyles doesn't make us happy. Fortunately Jesus came from a simple family, with simple needs. I think our Caribbean brothers and sisters can relate much better to the 'Jesus' of the New Testament', than we in the West.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I mumble and complain about my lot in life, but
I really don't have much to complain about. If I'm in debt it's probably
my own fault because I want, and want and want what the neighbours have.
Help me to accept with gratitude the simple way of life and learn to give
away to the less fortunate, my excess. Help me not to complain about
my taxes, for they help me live a very easy life compared with many of
my brothers and sisters in the so-called third world. Show me your face
in the eyes of a happy child this day. Thank you. Amen
Thought for the day:
This day I will not grumble over my lot in
life, but will count my blessings instead
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Here on the Niagara Peninsula, the lights of Christmas were really awesome this year. First the St. Catharines General Hospital Christmas tree in front of the Firehall began to sprout lights from the bottom up and the top down it's phenomenal height - about 50' high, in mid-November. Then gradually over the next couple of weeks, lights, decorations, more lights on homes, shrubs, trees, even trees that wheren't there! hedgerows, TV towers, balconies, in the windows - lights just everywhere! The new icicle lights came in white, red and green adding a new dimension to home decorating. By mid December the Tall tree was totally covered in lights as the donations came in for that worthy cause.
But what do the lights mean? I observed that with more and more people
decorating their homes each year, that maybe the true meaning of Christmas,
buried somewhere deep inside, comes out at Christmas. Yes! We had Santas
and reindeer, carolers and snowmen, all lit up BUT they had to have LIGHTS
to illuminate them. What does that light mean? For some of
us, it is a reminder that Jesus is the Light of the World.
He said, "I am the Light of the world. He who follows me, will
not walk in darkness."
As I put my decorations away and our homes are no longer lit up, a feeling of sadness seems to come over our town. Winter has come and the warm days of summer seem far away. So, too, when a person has 'walked in the light of Christ'; then allows themselves by their own choice to wander into the 'far' country, they, too, will find themselves in the winter of darkness. Christ may go with us into the far country, but he cannot or maybe will not light our way until we decide we want to return to His way.
Yes! we make the choice to 'walk in the Light as He is in the Light' or to walk in darkness when the winter of our soul's is tried and we become cold inside, cold to our friends, our family, our business colleagues We are like the bright burning coal that is removed from the warmth of the fire - it gradually loses its heat and turns a dull gray. If it does not get put back into the fire, it will burn completely out. We must put ourselves into the fellowship of the Light of the World if we want to experience the warm, if we want to be illuminated, if we want Jesus to walk with us through life's many experiences.
Prayer Meditation:
Our Father, who art in heaven. Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom
come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. We join
with the prayer of Jesus to acknowledge the Fatherhood of God, the sacredness
that His name should be when we speak it, respecting Him who is the King
with the request that His will might be done in our lives. We acknowledge
you, Lord Jesus, the Light of our World.
Amen.
Thought for my Day:
Whether we are a light of 25 watt strength or 200 watts strong,
may we shine for Jesus through this day giving a smile here, a kind word
there as we let Him light our way and share His light with others.
A Word from the Lord:
My Child. I sometimes see that you are giving off a grey colour
instead of shining brightly reflecting my Love, my Life. When you go out
into the world, remember you choose to stay in My Light as you walk this
life. Keep your spiritual face toward me at all times and I will
reflect my Light from you to those around you making their life a little
brighter. Without you in the world, my Light cannot shine.
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Christmas Missed
Everyone was waiting with bated breathe for Christmas 1999. The gifts
were under the tree (early for a change!) The pies and pudding were made
to share with the family on Boxing day. Then illness struck. First my husband
had a sore throat and cough. Of course he wouldn't taken care of himself
too well, and it went away only to return with avengence!! Then I came
too with a fever and an extremely bad headache, the Tuesday before Christmas.
Well three days later I came up from under the quilts in order to go
to the doctor for some medicine, something that I find very hard to do.
But, after all, Christmas was only two days away and I had to be better.
However the celebration was not to be.
Oh yes! I pulled myself together sufficiently to take gifts and food
to our daughter's home, an hours drive away; had a sleep and returned to
share what little we could together of the rest of the day. Then we just
slept, kept warm, watched TV (all the Christmas specials/services) and
slept some more.
But where did Christmas go?
Our family have always had a tradition of being together, playing games,
sharing some music, and eating and eating! And I haven't figured out how
to get that 'Magic of Christmas' back this year. My one sister and her
husband also had the flu and missed the annual event.
But why do we say 'we missed it!?"
For some who had house fires, or were in accidents and lost family members
and possession, they truly have a void in their celebrations! But we still
have each other! (At least we were sick together!) Jesus birth can be celebrated
any day, at any time and there will be another family get together. We
just don't know when!
It's so good to remember that Jesus is the same, yesterday, to-day
and forever; the angels came to the shepherds as they were about their
daily (nightly) tasks. Even so angels may come to us at any time of day
or night.
We just have to be aware,
waiting,
sensitive
to what our God wants to reveal to us.
The inn-keeper didn't know he might miss Christmas when he said there was NO ROOM for them in his inn. But Christmas happened in his stable in spite of him just doing his job. Maybe this year we should be celebrating Epiphany, the visit of the wise men of the east, instead of dwelling on the shepherds and the angels. These men were following the star for many days and miles before they got to worship him. We only have to close our eyes and put our hearts in tune with HIM, and we can worship him, too.
Prayer Meditation:
Lord Jesus, surely we do not miss YOU, when we are ill. Sometimes we
may say we are too busy; then we might miss something. But I know you are
still with me inspite of missing my family. You and you alone cannot be
truly missed. Only the things that we think make Christmas, may be missed.
Thank you for your abiding presence inspite of my weakness. In your name,
Amen
Thought for the Day:
We celebrate Jesus' birth EVERY day as we celebrate Life here and now,
and Hope for the future.
A Word from the Lord:
My child. Shepherds, sheep, presents, family, decorations, do NOT make
Christmas. I came to my world that those in it who acknowledge me, could
be blessed. I can use your illness, your disasters, to show you how much
I love you inspite of the bad things that may turn up in life. I will always
keep you in the palm of my hand and you can celebrate my special days in
thought or in deed and I will still be there with you.
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It was a Saturday afternoon in May. The little church had been decorated like a country garden with many trees, shrubs, flowers, wild violets and pansies. The ladies of the church were having an 'English High Tea' complete with fine china, floating candles for table centers with the waitresses dresses in long dresses and big hats!! The sandwiches were very tiny, the biscuits varied and home-made as well as having home-made jams, jellies and marmalade. You might say 'what was so special'?
Well! This very small group of women took on the task of something very unique for their tiny congregation.
What did they get out of it? Well! There was a cost for those attending the tea, but there was far more. As the people walked through the garden with its 6 ft junipers, wild blue English violets and a long row of pansies, they expressed their wonder of seeing these things 'inside the building'! There was even an orchid with very tiny blossoms on it that had been brought by one person. Most of the guests had never seen such a tiny fragile orchid before.
Then there was the music - bird calls, water rippling and soft love ballads being played, added to the unique atmosphere.
But why am I sharing this with you. The next day - Sunday, the wild blue violets in hanging baskets and small containers were sent home with the women who were present. Each one expressed their appreciation of such a little gift of God's beauty to place in their homes. The look of wonder in their eyes was like a child. they didn't expect to receive anything tangible after the tea was over - just tired feet and a sense of satisfaction.
What are some of the little things in life that God has given us but we take for granted? When my 2 and 1/2 year old grandson takes my hand with his tiny hand and says, 'Come Grandma', my heart is strangely warmed. To-day as I was cutting the lawn and saw some tiny white flowers in the grass, they couldn't have been more than 1/8th of an inch across, I wonder why our Creator bothered to put such tiny flowers on our planet. I continually am amazed when I look into the face of a Pansy - such detail, so fragile, so beautiful, but for what purpose?
A beautiful bumble bee in all its black and yellow splendor was buzzing around one of the gardens I was working on. I could hear the song of a warbler keeping me company as I worked in the yard.
Have you taken time recently to 'smell the roses', observe the tiny things around you or listened to the message of the birds as they sing? These are the things that keep our sanity -
My Dad used to say, that no child should have to grow up without a small living animal to take care of, a living, breathing 'it', that would love them unconditionally. My adult daughter is living on her own, and she has two guinea pigs to keep her company - just living creatures who depend on her but also, who talk to her, move around in her room so she knows she isn't alone!
Galatians 5:9 says "A LITTLE yeast leavens the whole lump." If you have ever made bread, a tablespoon of yeast can make 10 loaves of bread!. Put fifty little blue violets together and you have a carpet of colour. Saying 'thank you', is a small thing, but will warm the heart of the receiver. Telling someone they are loved, they look good, they smell good, etc. can make someones day. Try it.
Prayer:
Lord, sometimes
I feel so small, but you have give me such a good feeling of self-worth.
You have even said that you so loved me that you gave me your only Son,
that as I believe in Him, I shall have Eternal life. Thank you for thinking
of me at Calvary.
Meditation:
To-day I will say a kind
word, look at a flower and wonder at its creator. I will notice the little
things of life.
A Word from the
Lord:
"My Child, You have often
felt small in the eyes of your peers, but I have 'fearfully and wonderfully'
made you. Do not degrade yourself, for it is with the tiny grains of sand
that mighty buildings are made. So, with persons of your intellect, your
'everydayness', your quiet walking with me, that I will use you to build
a great people, a great multitude who will walk with me.
Look to me daily in the
little things, keeping your eyes on the goal, sharing your simple conversion
experience with others, so that they, too, will see their worth in my eyes."
says the Lord.
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Our unforgiveness of another causes pain within our own hearts. Unforgiveness can be called a 'weed', that grows without anyone stopping it from multiplying. Soon it takes over the whole garden!! When this happens in a person's life, unforgiveness marks everything we do and say! We become prisoners of the past, bound by the chords of bitterness, unhappiness, sometimes even obesity is a result of unforgiveness!!
In order to break those strong chords, we, ourselves, must forgive the one who has done us wrong! This kind of an experience can be one of the 'bumps in life' on which we climb to higher service for the Lord.
When you think of a mountain climber, without the bumps along the way, he would have no foot-hold on which to climb. Without problems, disappointments, bad things that happen to good people!!!, we would never mature, grow up! but remain childlike, all our life.
I think of a time when I was working for someone else. I worked long, hard hours with almost minimum pay helping to 'grow the business' for them. BUT I didn't always do it according to their ideas or their way of 'growing a business'. Finally I was given an ultimatum, when I, along with my collegue had increased the business by 100% in 2 years!,either I do things 'their way' or leave.
By this time their attitude was destroying me, so I handed in my resignation, giving 1 months notice. However they fired me at the end of 2 weeks!! That summer while in a 'prayer Vigil' at a retreat, I forgave the person who fired me, and put them into God's hands. Then I wrote them a letter, sharing with them my forgiveness and asking them to forgive me for whatever I had done to cause the rift. Then I promptly forgot about the incident. I had been set free and I had put in motion their being set free. I felt I had used this 'bump' to help me grow in my Christian faith.
However about 2 months later I heard from one of the other store employees that, this person had been fired! and that the store owner had lost 2 of his 4 stores when his landlord refused to renew his lease. I really didn't think the Lord would go that far!! But He has said that 'vengeance is mine, I will repay!'.
Often we have to dig the 'weeds' out of our lives, forgiving others, even though we may not feel like it; asking them to forgive us, even though we may not see that we were in the wrong.
Then we have to keep the 'weeds' out of our lives by keeping our spiritual healing 'up to date'. Use the bumps in your life for your spiritual climb, but, remember, once you leave the bump behind, do not turn back and expect it to be there to help you climb again. Paul has said, "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus....Let us hold true to what we have attained." (Phil.3:14..16)
Prayer Meditation:
Lord, there are still 'bumps' in my daily walk, holding my Christian
maturity up and keeping me in bondage. Show me specifically what they are.
Then help me to forgive the other person since you love them as much as
you love me, and receive your undeserved forgiveness. I ask you to set
me free from the hurts of the past.
THought for the Day:
This day I will forgive all those who I feel have wronged me
over the years. I will accept my Lord's forgiveness for any part my failure
may have been in the situations. I will go out of my way to love as God
has loved me on Calvary.
"Sunshine, Sunshine, in my soul to-day,
Sunshine, Sunshine, all along the way.
Since my Jesus saved me, cleaned my life from sin
I have found the sunshine, it is deep within!
A Word from the Lord;
My child, my very own, I hold you deep within my heart. When
you hurt, I hurt! just as I took your sins into my own body on the cross
at Easter. When you do wrong, hold unforgiveness, bitterness, faithlessnes,
apethy, unbelief, in your heart, My Eternal Heart feels the pain for you.
Continue to forgive others as my Son has taught you and I will continue
to forgive you, holding you up lest you fall again. Hold onto the 'bumps'
in your life only long enough to learn from them; then let them go into
the Sea of My Forgetfullness, and you too will be set free from their crippling
hold over you - set free to praise and worship Me,
says the Lord. MENU
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