RBG with gratitude

This weekend was marred with loss.  On Friday, the first day of Rosh Hashanah, for our Jewish neighbours, the world lost an incredible woman —Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg or also known as RBG. If you are unfamiliar with her name do a little google search.

Though she was an American, we Canadians are able to recognize the effects and influences from our neighbours to the south. Known as the “Lioness of the Law”, RBG, among other things, fundamentally changed the Supreme Court’s approach to women’s rights.

When I heard the news, I immediately texted my daughter Emily who for years has had a picture of RBG hanging on her wall.  The picture is a reminder that we stand on the shoulders of strong women who have gone before us to advance the cause of equality under the law. For me personally, as a woman in a male dominated profession, I am grateful for the tenacity, strength and courage of RBG and women like her, who have made my journey that much easier.

Then on Sunday evening, I received news of the sudden death of a colleague. His wife and I graduated with our Doctorate at Knox College, University of Toronto, together.

Brian and I were in a heated discussion about something completely and totally insignificant when we were interrupted by the news. Suddenly what we were nattering about hardly mattered.  Everything narrowed, my heart ached for my school buddy and I looked across to Brian with renewed gratitude. 

Life is fragile. We are here one moment and gone the next. The psalmist writes, however long we live, our years “quickly pass, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10). And so, we must pray, “Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” (v12) so that we may live a life of gratitude with gratitude.

I am comforted and inspired by the words of Henri Nouwen who said;

Death is part of a much greater and much deeper event, the fullness of which we cannot comprehend, but of which we know that it is a life-bringing event. . . . What seemed to be the end proved to be the beginning; what seemed to be a cause for fear proved to be a cause for courage; what seemed to be defeat proved to be victory; and what seemed to be the basis for despair proved to be the basis for hope. Suddenly a wall becomes a gate.

In the midst of whatever it is you are going through — whatever crisis, tension, or fear — my prayer for you and for me is to remember that our time, no matter how long we live will “quickly pass” and as Christians death is not to be feared, and life is to be lived (and remembered) with gratitude.

Glass half...?

I am sure that at some point in your life you have been asked how you view a half filled glass… do you see it as a glass half empty or a glass half full? Your answer of course indicates whether you are an optimistic or pessimist.

Last week we started a new sermon series entitled: Optimism in the Midst of the Crazy! These are crazy times and being pessimistic about the future can happen without thinking.  So let’s think about it together!

I was reminded of an old story about a shoe salesman who was sent overseas to a remote country. When he arrived, he was disheartened to see that everyone went around barefooted. He wired (back in the days of telegrams… sorry Millennials you will need to Google it) the company back home: “No prospect for sales here. People don’t wear shoes.” Later another salesman went to the same area. He too immediately sent word to the home office, but his telegram read, “Great potential! People don’t wear shoes here!”

Same event viewed entirely differently. 

If you are one of those people who can smile at the prospect of selling shoes to people who are familiar with going barefoot then I am likely not going to say anything you don’t already know.

However, given the times we find ourselves in, I imagine even the optimists among us are struggling and the pessimists are a bit more pessimistic than usual. That’s why Philippians 4:8 is so powerful. At a time when it is so easy for us to get caught up in the negative, this scripture speaks to all of us. 

In beginning of Philippians 4 the Apostle Paul appeals to the Philippin Christians regarding how they handle disagreements within the church. Paul is particularly concerned with an argument between two women, Euodia and Syntyche. Paul's advice is to focus on our ability to rejoice in our fellowship with Christ. Paul says that with a proper focus on positive things, we can experience peace through the power of God.

The Apostle Paul says to them and us, to keep our minds on:

whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

And I love verse 9: And the God of peace will be with you.

What a great reminder for each of us… whether our glass is half empty or half full… we will find peace when we focus on the things of God. If we do, I believe our glass will be full to overflowing!

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What I did on my summer vacation....

The short answer is nothing and for that I am grateful.

The psalmist teaches us that we are not only to thank and praise God in our hearts but that we are to thank God among all the people.  

I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.  I will sing your praises among the nations (Psalm 108:3 NLT). 

So, I share with you my gratitude to God!

The month of August was like no other I can remember.  The days were long and each day seemed the same as the next. It reminded me a bit of when I was a kid on summer vacation and the summer seemed to go on forever. Much like the March Break of 2020! We did very little socializing, nor did we spend copious amounts of time at the cottage as it is under construction. This summer vacation was distinctly different.

I did however, step away from the computer. I spent time on the pottery wheel creating a lot of stuff I don’t know what to do with. I knit while I listened to podcasts, and caught up on some Netflix. I prayed. I worshipped. And I remembered how very blessed I have been, and how very blessed I am. I am grateful for the time I had for rest, refreshment, renewal and remembering — after an extraordinarily busy and difficult spring. I am most grateful that even in the midst of these crazy, unprecedented times, I am still hopeful for the future. Why? Because I have been reminded that God is still on the throne.

Now we turn our heads to the Fall. No one quite knows what it will look like. Life is uncertain, frankly it always has been, but this we know for sure — whether you work at home or need to be onsite, whether you send your children back to school or opt for virtual learning —  God is still in charge and God is our refuge.

Check out Psalm 91 – it is a joyful and confident outpouring of the safety, calm, and fearlessness that each of us, adult and child alike, can experience, even in the face of extreme difficulties.

My prayer is that you too were able to rest and recharge during these bizarre summer months. As we move to the Fall, I pray that you do so with joy and confidence of God’s love and protection over you.

Be Well.