Rub Off On Someone

Many of us are looking for the end of the rainbow. Our rainbow might be getting out and embracing some of what we had in life before all this started. We also know that after a storm there is a rainbow. While I have been isolated, I stay that way and not because I wanted to. Isolation gave me time to embrace some of the things that I forgot I had.

I was, in the good times, too busy trying to be busy. This virus has changed that. It was also a time to clean up things, go through boxes that have been in my closest for decades. Yes, you read that right. This year, we will have been here in this house twenty-five years. Over that time, just like you, we have collected a lot of things. Things that are part of the memories.

My life seems to have always been filled with new beginnings. When I went to college, I only took what I could carry. Stuff got thrown out and the baggage I carried stayed behind. When I first married, it was another start. One year, we moved three times. Not much baggage after that. Moving to Saskatchewan was another time of clearing things out.

After all of this, there are still some things that never get thrown away. And so, I have a closet full of things that will be here no matter where I live next or what happens in my life. It’s not that I’m holding on to these items, but holding on to the memory of those individuals who were and are part of my life. With every person I met, I wanted their good stuff rub or on my but I prayed my good stuff would rub off on them. All of those people contributed to my life and made me who I am today.

You have had the same journey. In this time of waiting for the rainbow, use the technology we have to put the things down and connect with people. People you know or knew, people you need to meet tomorrow and then those who need to meet you.

God wanted to meet us and He didn’t send the monitor you are staring at right now for video games. He gave us His Son who came and connected with eleven amazing men, who met others until the epidemic of Christianity showed up for us. God sent generation after generation until it got to us so we could meet Jesus. Maybe this blog is your nudge to find Him. And the most important part of meeting Jesus is hearing Him say, “I love you”. John 3:16

Something to think about

Rob

A Virus, Changed Us

Have you noticed anything really fantastic lately. Maybe that is what we are supposed to look to in times of trials. Looking for something fantastic. There have been many times in our world when we were so caught up in something terrible, something else started to happen all around us.

In recent years, a number of activities have been displaced by ‘more’ important issues at hand. I wasn’t there, but I have heard that when WW2 was steam rolling across the world, the news was filled with the horrors of it. Here in Hamilton, the Spectator published a list, posting it every day in their front window showing the list of casualties. It was a terrible time. Well, almost.

There were other times in history where a calamity, like we are going through right now, shook the very foundation of our society. We have all heard of them and know the statistic and the tragedy of losing.

Today is no different than what our forefathers went through. They went through their own Waterloo, Vimy Ridge, and the Spanish flu.  

I noticed something the other day. After the news about our own epidemic and all the details ended, something extraordinary happened. Well, actually - it didn’t happen. There seemed to be no other terrible news. Not a word about wars going on, no news about terrorism at our doorstep, not even a single word on the tension between nations. All was and is quiet.

It really showed itself when the evening news on Sunday finished with the pandemic. It was then, they focused on everything to do about Easter. The Pope with his message,the Queen with hers, and how the church has transitioned onto our computer monitor.

Since we have been bombarded with information about our worldwide problem our primary focus has changed the world. Everyone of us in this world are now fighting a war with the virus and not with each other. And I noticed it on Easter Sunday. It was Jesus coming alive in our midst. We are going to Him in prayer and He will continue to answer.

Something to think about.

Rob

HAPPY EASTER

We must admit this virus is not just changing the world, it’s changing us. I don’t have to explain it to you, we are all going through it together. Even the Queen said we are all in it together with one goal, to win this war together. On Sunday they asked us not to go anywhere at all. No grocery stores & even no drug stores and certainly not church. On top of that, no one even knows when it will end. Well, maybe God does, but He hasn’t let us in on the when yet.

One thing is for sure, we have had some wonderful things happen since this started. The pollution has diminished up to 50%, the world is not vibrating as much since most vehicles are parked, the weather is getting better, the ozone layer is repairing itself and many of us finally had time to smell the roses.

At the same time we can’t get away from the terrible tragedy of it all. Just remember, ”we will get through it together.”  It reminds me of the words Ward Motheral used to say to me every Sunday morning when he came to church. He said: You have your health, you have your wealth.” And he is more right about that today than ever before.

But there are other things that we notice at this time in our society. I believe that we have been forced to get to know each other again, and even better. You can only watch so much tv before you start talking to people. We have an opportunity right now to connect more fully with each because we are all going through the same things. And that is good, even if we can’t be in the same room.

All these connections can come because of our modern technology. We didn’t have all these devices and programs for connecting thirty years ago, even ten years ago. We don’t have to go see them, we just have to turn on the computer or pick up the phone. A beautiful thing and it’s all because we are isolated.

There is something more. We have at this time, the right moment we have been waiting for to reconnect, or get acquainted for the first time with God.  This coming Sunday is Easter and celebrating still can happen in our minds and hearts. He is Risen! We may not be able to go to church, but we can go and find that bible and read the Gospel of John and realize Hebrews 13:5 is right, He is the only one who will never leave us nor forsake us. This past Sunday, the Pope still went to mass without any people there. Why? I believe he just went there by himself to talk to God. He will do it again this coming Sunday.

Something to think about.

Rob

A Wonderful Friend

Life is a bit difficult for all of us right now. The virus has impacted most of our life. The greatest impact we are experiencing is not being able to be with people. This is most evident in being with those we seem closer to.

Here is what I mean.  When we love someone, or someone loves us, we want to be with them. To share life with them and just be part of each others life. Unlike when the Spanish Flu was around, we have ways of getting in touch with each other. As many of you know, Deb and I were isolating ourselves due to her crossed the border last Friday. This means we spend time on messenger talk and seeing them.

We smile, we laugh and we are just continuing to grow our relationships with each other even when we are not in the same room. That is how great technology has taken us.

I want each of you to know something special. We have always had the ability to be with the God who loved us first. We read in the Book of Hebrews: “I will never leave you nor forsake you”. What a reassurance we have in knowing God is here with us. We don’t have to go to church to meet with Him, even though He told us to not stop meeting with each other.

This is what I know; to grow any relationship, we need to want to be together,to communicate, to fall more in love with each other with every passing day. Now it when we need to work on this even when we talk through a computer screen. But more importantly, we need to work at growing closer ad closer to the God who loves us more than any other.

Something to think about.

Rob 

Life Is Good

Life is a bit difficult for all of us right now. The virus has impacted most of our life. The greatest impact we are experiencing is not being able to be with people. We are social beings looking for life, love & laughter. With out these we feel alone. It is most evident when we can not be with those we seem closer to.

Here is what I mean.  When you love someone, or someone loves us, we want to be with them. To share life with them and just be part of each others life. Unlike when the Spanish Flu was around, we have many ways of getting in touch with each other. As many of you know, Deb and I have isolating ourselves due to her crossed the border last Friday. This means we spend time on messenger talking and seeing them even though we can't be with them physically. We smile, we laugh and we are just continuing to grow our relationships with each other even when we are not in the same room. That is one great way technology has taken us.

I want each of you to know something special. We have always had the ability to be with the God who loved us first. We read in the Book of Hebrews: “I will never leave you nor forsake you”. What a reassurance we have in knowing God is here with us. We don’t have to go to church to meet with Him, even though He told us to not stop meeting with each other. Just open your bible, read, then close your eyes and talk to Him.

This is what I know; to grow any relationship, we need to want to be together, to communicate, to fall more in love with each other with every passing day. Now is when we need to work on this even when we talk through a computer screen. But more importantly, we need to work at growing closer and closer to the God who takes care of us and loves us more than any other.

Something to think about.

Rob