Category: update

“Adoption is a central concept in the Christian faith.” The basic challenge today is to make a friend across an age divide, or to find a new way to show care for others, or to find a long-term way to become a catalyst for something that changes your life and the lives you touch.

I like the “adopt” idea, but think we need to broaden it from the “other people” stance. We need to adopt roads, adopt animals, care about creation as we care about our families. We need to recognize that we are all family. Not just all people, but all creation!

In this regard Canada’s First Nations have a lot to teach us. I was so happy to take part in the “Dancing Toward Reconciliation” event last night, and look forward to more today.

Today we are challenged to go the second mile, to give more than we are asked for.

I have an extremely busy day coming up – starting with a chiro appointment, then work at First Mennonite Church, followed by work at Pioneer Park Christian Fellowship, home briefly for some supper then visit Mom in St Jacobs and to end the day a program, “Dancing toward Reconciliation,” at Bloomingdale Mennonite Church. I think this whole day will be pushing me beyond my usual limits.

P.S. I had a really good day! So often such a day would end with a migraine. Not today. Thanks, God!

Today’s challenge asks us to acknowledge in some way those people who had significant impact on your life by returning the favour.

When I think of people who had a big impact on my life, I think of those without whom I might not have survived the first years of widowhood. Doris Siebel, who took my kids after school when I went to work and gave us all supper. Don & Elinor who also offered so much support. Bertha Lander, pastor at Bloomingdale Mennonite Church, who listened to me for many hours. Marie Snyder, who held me that night I was told Volker was going to die, and who, with her family took our family out for dinner many Sunday afternoons after Volker was gone. This is not an exhaustive list, but these people were critical. The least I can do is say “Thank you!” again.

“For some of us, relinquishing control and sacrificing our own agendas or plans is difficult. …” So the challenge for today is to put someone else’s needs/desires head of your own.

OK, my first reaction is – I do this many times a day! This is how my mother lived, what I and my sisters were taught as little girls, it is especially true if you want to be “a good wife” (so I was taught) – that others’ needs were more important than our own.

My job as administrative assistant is based on fulfilling others’ needs. So much of my job involves stopping whatever task I was working on to help someone else. I am not complaining, I love my job (most of the time). Just sayin’ playing second fiddle is something I do all the time.

I think for many of us women learning to give some priority to our own needs is what we need to practice.

With today’s ice storm the church was even quieter than yesterday! And I think I had only 2 phone calls to interrupt what I was doing.

Chocolate = love, right? Today’s challenge is to give away chocolate.

I had to pick up a prescription at the drugstore, so also got a box of chocolate covered almonds, part proceeds going to cancer research or some such (bonus). My resolve was to give them to anyone coming into my office today. Well, one pastor is away on vacation, one pastor was sick, the third only worked the morning, which meant a very quiet day for me. Nonetheless, half the time I forgot to offer the chocolate to the few people who did come in. I’m just not used to doing that. I guess I need to practice generosity.