Trials in life

The roads this morning were slippery and show covered. The usual fast paced morning traffic was slower and more cautious. But life must go on. The drive reminded me of an experience I had a long time ago. Years ago my folks were visiting with family and everyone was swapping “driving in a snow storm” tales. Every Canadian has a few of those. One of the couples was from Texas and at some point he asked, “Why do you folks go out when its like that?”

The thing is that in Texas snow storms can shut down all activities. They can be bad and disruptive, but in Canada the miserable weather spans over a period of months not weeks. So we have to adapt. It is part of our lives.

Life can throw difficulties at us that are indeed disruptive and cause us to shut down and take stock. We have to deal with the matter at hand. But there is the other side of troubles in life. The long game. The problems that aren’t easily solved. The difficulties that we have to learn to live with, to work around. They can drag on for years, not just a horrible week or two.

Trouble can come in all forms. We must remember who holds us in His hands. It is by his strength we can endure.

1 Corinthians 4: 8-9 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, 
but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 

Thinking out loud

I​f a tree falls in the forest does anyone hear? The old question. A physicist might answer that this involves the necessity of a hearing to register the sound. A philosopher may question whether humanity is necessary to nature. But if you are thinking of this question spiritually you may ask “Why does it matter?”

W​hat is the point of nature, it’s wonder and beauty, if no one can appreciate and process it? God made us with the ability to enjoy His creation. We are part of the created world, but He gave us the added gift not only sight, but discernment. He not only gave us ears to hear, but the ability to be moved by the sounds. We have the gift of creativity too. The ability to turn that fallen tree into a home, or a sculpture, or a flute. We share fully in God’s creation because He designed us that way.

A​ll nature sings His praise. And we as His people were given the ability to understand this. The question is more, “Why does the tree exist if humanity can’t see and appreciate it?”

P​salm 66: 1 – 4 Shout for joy to God, all the earth!
Sing the glory of his name make his praise glorious.
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.
All the earth bows down to you;
they sing praise to you, they sing the praises of your name.”

Thoughts on a tragedy

A young mom, much younger than me, died. Her oldest daughter and my youngest were in the same class years ago. Cancer took this beautiful young mom away from her three young kids.

I thought to myself, if this was me what would I want my kids to know? What would I want to leave them?

Thankfully, my kids are much older and I’ve had many years to teach, love and encourage them. But what would I have said to them when they were young, if I knew I was going to leave them on their own?

I thought about this long and hard. What jewels of wisdom could I bestow?

After a bit I realized it was the same message that I settled on as my parenting goal. Years ago, I decided the message I most wanted my kids to learn was the importance of knowing and loving God. Followed closely by the awareness of how much He loves them. The first message was most important to me. I wanted them to understand that this is a choice and an action they can take. The second, God’s love – it is there regardless of what they choose. It is a given!

All the advice I could muster was subservient to this message. Love God and know He loves you.

For my part I mourn for this lost life and for her family that has to face life without her.

Psalm 34:11 Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.