Help! It really is -40 degrees here today when you factor in the wind chill. Fahrenheit or Celsius, you ask? Doesn't matter - they are the SAME at -40 degrees. So, all my American friends now have perspective on the gravity of my situation here in Edmonton.
I decided to make a trip to the grocery store today. (I heard you call me an idiot.) I walked to the bus stop. A little over halfway there, I was convinced I was having a stroke. My head hurt that badly! Really, I did not know if I was going to make it. Luckily there is a little shelter there to wait for the bus. My legs were numb within a minute of going outside.
I walked down a road to get to the bus stop. The snow is now so packed on the road -- it is icy even to walk on, much more so to drive on! Ugh.
Baby, it's cold outside!
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Whimsical?
I recently heard a sermon that touched on a concept regarding worship services that quite intrigues me. The preacher / teacher talked about the fact that we might think that when the music begins on Sunday morning, worship begins. This teacher pointed out that our thoughts are incorrect -- we are merely joining in to a non-stop worship service. That concept is pretty cool.
Every moment of the day and night, someone somewhere is singing and/or praising God. When you begin singing and lifting your hands on Sunday morning, it is like you have dialed in to a webinar or something like that! I thought about that this morning (or rather yesterday morning) as we sang and praised God in church. I wondered what it must be like looked at from Heaven. I imagined that there might be a high-level angel in Heaven assigned to keeping the "Praise & Worship" station up and running, and every time someone or some group sings to God, they automatically "tune in" to the station. God hears our voices raised in song and sees our hands raised toward Him.
I imagine that when hearts are turned toward Him, and voices raised to Him, that it doesn't matter which songs are sung, which key they are sung in, which style is used, etc., because the notes, chords, tones, all get woven together in a perfect pattern for Him to hear. That what might appear to us to be noise and dissonance is to Him perfect harmony.
Every moment of the day and night, someone somewhere is singing and/or praising God. When you begin singing and lifting your hands on Sunday morning, it is like you have dialed in to a webinar or something like that! I thought about that this morning (or rather yesterday morning) as we sang and praised God in church. I wondered what it must be like looked at from Heaven. I imagined that there might be a high-level angel in Heaven assigned to keeping the "Praise & Worship" station up and running, and every time someone or some group sings to God, they automatically "tune in" to the station. God hears our voices raised in song and sees our hands raised toward Him.
I imagine that when hearts are turned toward Him, and voices raised to Him, that it doesn't matter which songs are sung, which key they are sung in, which style is used, etc., because the notes, chords, tones, all get woven together in a perfect pattern for Him to hear. That what might appear to us to be noise and dissonance is to Him perfect harmony.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Family Thanksgiving
"So, how did you cook the turkey this year?" I asked Mom on the phone earlier today.
"Oh, the slow method," she replied. "But it was nearly a disaster."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I was already laughing inside. Every year it is the same. In fact, it is my favorite holiday tradition. The discussion about how to cook the turkey. A typical Thanksgiving eve and day in terms of turkey and dinner preparation might go something like this:
Mom: "Let's just do the turkey tomorrow, Doug."
Dad: "No, I'm going to do the slow method."
Mom: "You know it's always done early. Come on, let's just do it tomorrow."
Dad: "No, I'm going to do the slow method. It will turn out right."
Mom: "We go through this every year, and every year it's done early."
Dad: "It'll turn out."
Mom: "Okay, well, then you do it. Remember, we eat at 3 o'clock tomorrow."
Dad would put the turkey in around midnight at a very high temperature to kill off any bacteria. After one hour, the oven would be turned down, so the turkey would cook slowly, well, for about 12 - 14 hours, I guess! We would wake up to a heavy turkey smell in the house by 8:00 or 9:00 am.
Sometime before noon, perhaps even at around 9 am, another conversation would take place.
Mom: "Have you checked the turkey?" (to Dad)
Dad: "Go ahead."
Mom: "Doug, I knew it -- the turkey's done."
Dad: (no response)
Mom: "What do you suggest now, Doug?"
Dad: "Is that right?" (notice the total disconnect -- I think he is trying to think what to say.)
Mom: "No really. We told everyone to be here at 3:00."
Dad: "There's nothing I can do."
Mom: "That's just great. It will be cold by the time we're ready." Red in the face, and with a little sarcasm now, "Why don't you call everyone and tell them to come over now. How does that sound!?"
Mom to one of us: "He's not the one who has to do everything else."
I miss this holiday tradition, I really do. But it was good to hear about it again this year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
"So, how was it nearly a disaster this year, Mom?"
"Well, he put the turkey in at midnight. And then after an hour, thought he turned it down. But he turned the knob the wrong way and set it to broil."
I laughed.
"Luckily, though, a little while later, he thought he should check it, so, he caught it in time. But it was done around 6:00 a.m."
"Oh, the slow method," she replied. "But it was nearly a disaster."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I was already laughing inside. Every year it is the same. In fact, it is my favorite holiday tradition. The discussion about how to cook the turkey. A typical Thanksgiving eve and day in terms of turkey and dinner preparation might go something like this:
Mom: "Let's just do the turkey tomorrow, Doug."
Dad: "No, I'm going to do the slow method."
Mom: "You know it's always done early. Come on, let's just do it tomorrow."
Dad: "No, I'm going to do the slow method. It will turn out right."
Mom: "We go through this every year, and every year it's done early."
Dad: "It'll turn out."
Mom: "Okay, well, then you do it. Remember, we eat at 3 o'clock tomorrow."
Dad would put the turkey in around midnight at a very high temperature to kill off any bacteria. After one hour, the oven would be turned down, so the turkey would cook slowly, well, for about 12 - 14 hours, I guess! We would wake up to a heavy turkey smell in the house by 8:00 or 9:00 am.
Sometime before noon, perhaps even at around 9 am, another conversation would take place.
Mom: "Have you checked the turkey?" (to Dad)
Dad: "Go ahead."
Mom: "Doug, I knew it -- the turkey's done."
Dad: (no response)
Mom: "What do you suggest now, Doug?"
Dad: "Is that right?" (notice the total disconnect -- I think he is trying to think what to say.)
Mom: "No really. We told everyone to be here at 3:00."
Dad: "There's nothing I can do."
Mom: "That's just great. It will be cold by the time we're ready." Red in the face, and with a little sarcasm now, "Why don't you call everyone and tell them to come over now. How does that sound!?"
Mom to one of us: "He's not the one who has to do everything else."
I miss this holiday tradition, I really do. But it was good to hear about it again this year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
"So, how was it nearly a disaster this year, Mom?"
"Well, he put the turkey in at midnight. And then after an hour, thought he turned it down. But he turned the knob the wrong way and set it to broil."
I laughed.
"Luckily, though, a little while later, he thought he should check it, so, he caught it in time. But it was done around 6:00 a.m."
Friday, November 24, 2006
For My Canadian Family
What were you guys talking about when you said "Michigan gets more snow than we do!" Please look out your window, then come back to the computer and look at the temps in Michigan for the next 4 days. My mother is playing golf there today. People, it can't snow there! I say we make a dash for the border!
Note as well that we are in sunny Alberta, yet the one "sunny" symbol here is for Michigan.
I feel so mislead......
For My Michigan Family
I know after seeing this that you will feel very sorry for me. Looking at this weather comparison of the next 4 days in our respective areas, you must be saying "I wonder why Kathy even moved to Edmonton!" You aren't alone.... but for sure it wasn't for the weather! Please note, that the "-" symbol in front of the numbers is not a typo.
Sympathy gifts will be received gladly....
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Thanksgiving 2006
What a Thanksgiving day today was for me. I have lots to be grateful for no matter what else.
I got up to another significant "dump" of snow. As much of a pain snow can be to drive in and shovel, God sure blessed us with the beauty of these winter blankets dropped upon us. I went to Bible Study Fellowship at the Chinese Christian Church on Edmonton's South Side. Unfortunately, I missed my 7:51 a.m. bus, so I had to wait an hour to catch the next one. I hopped on the 150 to Northgate, then the 16 to Downtown, then the 81 to the South Side. It takes about and hour this way. Anyway, I had great drivers on the Edmonton Transit System (ETS) today. They drove conservatively and patiently and I was grateful as the traffic can be rough here.
So, I was at least able to catch the lecture portion of the study today, and as usual was not disappointed -- Romans is a great study. Today, we focused on Romans 6:1-11. Ah, so many reminders. A couple of things really struck me. Firstly, that it is important to remember that as a Christian, I died to sin. But that does not mean that sin died in me. Dying to sin as it was discussed today means that we are no longer slaves to sin. We no longer have to sin. Sin is no longer comfortable. So, I died to sin. I only died once to sin -- that's it. It is not a daily practice. Jesus Christ died for my sins, and upon my baptism with Christ, I died. He owns me and He won't let me go back to the old ways.
The daily practice / challenge is dying to self. Dying to my desires that aren't what God would have for me. Oh and there are plenty of those, I'm sure.
Anyway, it was great to see the ladies again. I climbed on the bus to go back home and the roads were significantly worse. But it was sure beautiful. So pristine and clean looking and the large pines look beautiful when iced with snow!
I got a bit of work done, then Gloria brought lasagna for dinner. It was very good -- we have another one for tomorrow! Woo Hoo!
My friend Simon came over and he, Adam & I watched much of Season II of "The Office". Oh my!
I talked with my family and that was fun, too!
A great Thanksgiving.
I got up to another significant "dump" of snow. As much of a pain snow can be to drive in and shovel, God sure blessed us with the beauty of these winter blankets dropped upon us. I went to Bible Study Fellowship at the Chinese Christian Church on Edmonton's South Side. Unfortunately, I missed my 7:51 a.m. bus, so I had to wait an hour to catch the next one. I hopped on the 150 to Northgate, then the 16 to Downtown, then the 81 to the South Side. It takes about and hour this way. Anyway, I had great drivers on the Edmonton Transit System (ETS) today. They drove conservatively and patiently and I was grateful as the traffic can be rough here.
So, I was at least able to catch the lecture portion of the study today, and as usual was not disappointed -- Romans is a great study. Today, we focused on Romans 6:1-11. Ah, so many reminders. A couple of things really struck me. Firstly, that it is important to remember that as a Christian, I died to sin. But that does not mean that sin died in me. Dying to sin as it was discussed today means that we are no longer slaves to sin. We no longer have to sin. Sin is no longer comfortable. So, I died to sin. I only died once to sin -- that's it. It is not a daily practice. Jesus Christ died for my sins, and upon my baptism with Christ, I died. He owns me and He won't let me go back to the old ways.
The daily practice / challenge is dying to self. Dying to my desires that aren't what God would have for me. Oh and there are plenty of those, I'm sure.
Anyway, it was great to see the ladies again. I climbed on the bus to go back home and the roads were significantly worse. But it was sure beautiful. So pristine and clean looking and the large pines look beautiful when iced with snow!
I got a bit of work done, then Gloria brought lasagna for dinner. It was very good -- we have another one for tomorrow! Woo Hoo!
My friend Simon came over and he, Adam & I watched much of Season II of "The Office". Oh my!
I talked with my family and that was fun, too!
A great Thanksgiving.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Sometimes, something just strikes me!
Ahhhh......once in a while, something just grabs my focus and won't let go! There is some artwork like that - do you know what I mean? A while ago, I happened on a website called Illustration Friday. Illustrators, professional and amateur participate, and I have found some really great artists there. Paige, in California, who allowed me to use one of her pictures on our church website at one time for The Singing Christmas Tree, and most recently Irisz who is an illustrator in Hungary for children's books and for other things as well. The work of both of these artists really touch my heart and inspires me. Check out the links on the right to their blogs. Unbelievable stuff.
Today, at church, we had a luncheon, and my little friend Ava sat with me for a while. Today, she told me "I wike you!" If you want to read a little story about Ava and I, check out "Tum Tatty Tum!" . Here is a pic of Ava and her mum - my friend Jaycee. Aren't they adorable?
Today, at church, we had a luncheon, and my little friend Ava sat with me for a while. Today, she told me "I wike you!" If you want to read a little story about Ava and I, check out "Tum Tatty Tum!" . Here is a pic of Ava and her mum - my friend Jaycee. Aren't they adorable?
Have a great day!
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Harmony
"How wonderful it is, how pleasant,
when brothers live together in harmony!
For harmony is as precious as the fragrant anointing oil
that was poured over Aaron's head,
that ran down his beard
and onto the border of his robe.
Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon
that falls on the mountains of Zion.
And the Lord has pronounced his blessing,
even life forevermore."
Psalm 133, New Living Translation
Harmony
I was very grateful to have this Psalm in my devotionals yesterday. In fact, I made it my whole devotional. The word and concept that most intrigues me in this Psalm is "harmony".
What intrigues me about the word is that it implies unity as well as differences. I believe that unity very often gets misrepresented or misunderstood and is perceived as "uniformity". Many people think that we should all think alike, act alike, believe alike, dress alike, as if uniformity is something of a beautiful nature. Nothing could be further from the truth in my view.
Check out the definitions of harmony at www.dictionary.com. The first definitions are "agreement" and "accord". The third definition has to do with music. In order for there to be "harmony" in a musical sense, there must be different notes sung or played simultaneously. There is no harmony if everyone plays or sings the same note. No harmony at all. Part B of this definition indicates that harmony could be these different notes, blending into chords that are especially pleasing to the ear.
It is interesting, isn't it, that different notes played together are especially pleasing to our ears? I've been practicing some jazz Christmas songs on the piano, and the chords require my 10 fingers to play 10 different notes. The harmony is quite close - that is, the notes are quite close together - and quite beautiful to my ears. Those notes individually are quite boring to me. It is not near so pleasing to practice my flute, as I can not create any harmony with that instrument alone. But get a few flutes together - wow! Harmony happens.
I think it is the same for God. I think His ears are pleased when we raise our voices to him in harmony. And I think His heart is pleased when we bring our differences together, our different thoughts, our different dress styles, our different activities, our different ways of expressing our faith, and blend them into human chords, designed for one purpose - to honour Him. There's nothing like some good harmony to create some good unity!
when brothers live together in harmony!
For harmony is as precious as the fragrant anointing oil
that was poured over Aaron's head,
that ran down his beard
and onto the border of his robe.
Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon
that falls on the mountains of Zion.
And the Lord has pronounced his blessing,
even life forevermore."
Psalm 133, New Living Translation
Harmony
I was very grateful to have this Psalm in my devotionals yesterday. In fact, I made it my whole devotional. The word and concept that most intrigues me in this Psalm is "harmony".
What intrigues me about the word is that it implies unity as well as differences. I believe that unity very often gets misrepresented or misunderstood and is perceived as "uniformity". Many people think that we should all think alike, act alike, believe alike, dress alike, as if uniformity is something of a beautiful nature. Nothing could be further from the truth in my view.
Check out the definitions of harmony at www.dictionary.com. The first definitions are "agreement" and "accord". The third definition has to do with music. In order for there to be "harmony" in a musical sense, there must be different notes sung or played simultaneously. There is no harmony if everyone plays or sings the same note. No harmony at all. Part B of this definition indicates that harmony could be these different notes, blending into chords that are especially pleasing to the ear.
It is interesting, isn't it, that different notes played together are especially pleasing to our ears? I've been practicing some jazz Christmas songs on the piano, and the chords require my 10 fingers to play 10 different notes. The harmony is quite close - that is, the notes are quite close together - and quite beautiful to my ears. Those notes individually are quite boring to me. It is not near so pleasing to practice my flute, as I can not create any harmony with that instrument alone. But get a few flutes together - wow! Harmony happens.
I think it is the same for God. I think His ears are pleased when we raise our voices to him in harmony. And I think His heart is pleased when we bring our differences together, our different thoughts, our different dress styles, our different activities, our different ways of expressing our faith, and blend them into human chords, designed for one purpose - to honour Him. There's nothing like some good harmony to create some good unity!
Monday, November 13, 2006
Saturday
Well, what a Saturday! Early in the day, my goal was to get to St. Albert by bus. Unfortunately, unbeknownst (I love that word, but have never written until now!) to me prior to my departing the house, the St. Albert transit system was not running. So, after much sitting in the cold, but meeting nice people, I trekked back home, called Joce, who picked me up for an afternoon of shopping, football, then dinner and a movie. The shopping was fun -- I had forgotten it was Brenda's birthday, so picked up a card for her.
Then it was time for football. I get a total kick out of watching people I know play the game. Joce's son Cory was playing for UofS against Winnipeg. He's had some struggles with his knees, and early in the season, it looked grim for a full, rewarding season. But seemingly against the odds, Cory has had a healthy season and we watched him score a 72-yard touchdown on television yesterday. That, my friends, was a very rewarding time, and is about the only thing worthwhile I've seen on television in a while.
Joce's other son, Jean-Marc, was in Vancouver playing a Championship game for the Edmonton Wildcats (junior league). Once in a while, Joce's husband Bob (who was there watching the game) or brother Charles (who was here listening to the game) would call with the news from that game, but Joce was too nervous to hear it. So, I would talk to Charles, and I really thought we were going to pull that one off, too. We lost by one point in the final seconds of the game. The headlines call it heartbreak. I call it victory. This team has been struggling for a number of years......I've watched them. They would start seasons well, but fizzle out, usually amidst a load of penalties. This year, they turned a corner, and made it to the championships. And Jean-Marc made an interception in the last 4 minutes of the game -- a key play. I wish I could have seen the game.
Both Jean-Marc and Cory are winners to me. They've both had obstacles to overcome and they've overcome them. With grace.
We all face challenges -- but the challenges are very different for us all. Even as brothers or sisters. My sister Jackie was a nationally ranked tennis player. She won alot of trophies / tournaments, at least relative to the rest of us. But there is some pressure when you are in the public eye, even to that little extent. People always ask and want to know what you did with your tennis, or want to know that you are a success -- alot of judging takes place, you know? So, as a winner, alot of times, you are expected to keep winning, winning, winning, in anything and everything you do, or at least it seems like those are the expectations. The struggle for Jackie may sometimes be the struggle against performing based on others' expectations.
On the flip side, I'd always seem to almost make it. I'd win gold medals at the district level, but when it came to regionals, I'd take the silver. In college, I nearly made the team, but did not follow up -- just assumed I hadn't made it. Internally, what this means for me is that I feel unworthy, like somehow I will never take the gold in anything worthwhile. The real struggle for me is against performing up to and based on past experience.
The funny thing is, I can remember watching the Olympics as a kid - our whole family watched with a passion as athletes from around the world would come together and compete. And I tell you, I would look at the gold, silver and bronze medalists receive their medals, and I always thought what an honor it would be to be any of those recipients. Bronze to me meant #3 in the whole world -- wow!
I've noticed alot of thinking out there today that would have us believe that winning, and in particular, winning the gold is everything. The truth of the matter is, when you compete or run a race with your whole heart, you win. Period. End of discussion.
I read a story the other day about a race in the Special Olympics. There were 16 competitors I believe, and as they started running, one of the competitors fell on the track and yelled out. The other 15 competitors stopped, turned around, went and picked up the 16th competitor and then they all completed the race together, crossing the finish line at the same time, to the cheers of spectators in the stands. Who do you think the winner was in this race? If you can pick just one gold medalist, you are more able than me!
It sure does make me stop and consider what race I am running, and what I perceive as winning the race.
Then it was time for football. I get a total kick out of watching people I know play the game. Joce's son Cory was playing for UofS against Winnipeg. He's had some struggles with his knees, and early in the season, it looked grim for a full, rewarding season. But seemingly against the odds, Cory has had a healthy season and we watched him score a 72-yard touchdown on television yesterday. That, my friends, was a very rewarding time, and is about the only thing worthwhile I've seen on television in a while.
Joce's other son, Jean-Marc, was in Vancouver playing a Championship game for the Edmonton Wildcats (junior league). Once in a while, Joce's husband Bob (who was there watching the game) or brother Charles (who was here listening to the game) would call with the news from that game, but Joce was too nervous to hear it. So, I would talk to Charles, and I really thought we were going to pull that one off, too. We lost by one point in the final seconds of the game. The headlines call it heartbreak. I call it victory. This team has been struggling for a number of years......I've watched them. They would start seasons well, but fizzle out, usually amidst a load of penalties. This year, they turned a corner, and made it to the championships. And Jean-Marc made an interception in the last 4 minutes of the game -- a key play. I wish I could have seen the game.
Both Jean-Marc and Cory are winners to me. They've both had obstacles to overcome and they've overcome them. With grace.
We all face challenges -- but the challenges are very different for us all. Even as brothers or sisters. My sister Jackie was a nationally ranked tennis player. She won alot of trophies / tournaments, at least relative to the rest of us. But there is some pressure when you are in the public eye, even to that little extent. People always ask and want to know what you did with your tennis, or want to know that you are a success -- alot of judging takes place, you know? So, as a winner, alot of times, you are expected to keep winning, winning, winning, in anything and everything you do, or at least it seems like those are the expectations. The struggle for Jackie may sometimes be the struggle against performing based on others' expectations.
On the flip side, I'd always seem to almost make it. I'd win gold medals at the district level, but when it came to regionals, I'd take the silver. In college, I nearly made the team, but did not follow up -- just assumed I hadn't made it. Internally, what this means for me is that I feel unworthy, like somehow I will never take the gold in anything worthwhile. The real struggle for me is against performing up to and based on past experience.
The funny thing is, I can remember watching the Olympics as a kid - our whole family watched with a passion as athletes from around the world would come together and compete. And I tell you, I would look at the gold, silver and bronze medalists receive their medals, and I always thought what an honor it would be to be any of those recipients. Bronze to me meant #3 in the whole world -- wow!
I've noticed alot of thinking out there today that would have us believe that winning, and in particular, winning the gold is everything. The truth of the matter is, when you compete or run a race with your whole heart, you win. Period. End of discussion.
I read a story the other day about a race in the Special Olympics. There were 16 competitors I believe, and as they started running, one of the competitors fell on the track and yelled out. The other 15 competitors stopped, turned around, went and picked up the 16th competitor and then they all completed the race together, crossing the finish line at the same time, to the cheers of spectators in the stands. Who do you think the winner was in this race? If you can pick just one gold medalist, you are more able than me!
It sure does make me stop and consider what race I am running, and what I perceive as winning the race.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
In The Meantime
"I am coming to visit you after I have been to Macedonia, for I am planning to travel through Macedonia. Perhaps I will stay awhile with you, possibly all winter, and then you can send me on my way to my next destination. This time I don’t want to make just a short visit and then go right on. I want to come and stay awhile, if the Lord will let me. In the meantime, I will be staying here at Ephesus until the Festival of Pentecost. There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me."
1 Corinthians 16:5-9 (New Living Translation)
In The Meantime
Lately, the phrase "in the meantime" has been coming up a lot in my thoughts and conversations. Usually, that means a devotional will spit out eventually - hence, this little piece.
Really, though, I have felt in a constant mode of waiting for the past three years. I chose a course of action that seemed right and validated. And yet, my choice(s) seem to have just lengthened the period of waiting. Wait, worry and work. That's what my life appears to be about. I keep thinking that just around the corner, I'll be able to rest a bit. But then, a worry comes up. And worry is work, let me tell you. When I am worried, it doesn't matter how much time I have off -- a weekend or a month -- it is as if no time at all is free.
It is as if I have a mission somewhere out there in my nebulous future, but in the meantime, I am here doing this. It doesn't matter where "here" is or what "this" is -- it is simply my "in the meantime" experience. Do you ever feel like this or think like this? Some of us, from what I can discern, really have found their niche. When you talk to them, they say things like "I have the best job in the world" or "I wouldn't trade what I do for anything". I marvel and I wonder if they have found their niche......or if they have learned the secret of living "in the meantime."
I am in wait, worry and work mode again, but travelling to and from downtown Edmonton in the mornings and evenings, respectively, I gaze through the bus windows at the wintry city scenes flashing by. We have had a couple of relatively early snowfalls, and there is a blanket of white that illuminates the houses with their twinkling lights, and that somehow makes normally unattractive storefronts seem quaint and inviting all of a sudden. And as I each day meet more and more people who are kinder than I ever expected, I thank God for reminding me that though I may struggle and strain for things unseen and as yet unrevealed to me, and though there is alway hope for a better future . . .
What we do in the meantime reveals the extent to which our character has been developed. Will we push on to the next destination because our desire is so great that it overwhelms everything else? Or will we try and see the wide-open door(s) for great works to be done right where we are?
Life is lived "in the meantime."
1 Corinthians 16:5-9 (New Living Translation)
In The Meantime
Lately, the phrase "in the meantime" has been coming up a lot in my thoughts and conversations. Usually, that means a devotional will spit out eventually - hence, this little piece.
Really, though, I have felt in a constant mode of waiting for the past three years. I chose a course of action that seemed right and validated. And yet, my choice(s) seem to have just lengthened the period of waiting. Wait, worry and work. That's what my life appears to be about. I keep thinking that just around the corner, I'll be able to rest a bit. But then, a worry comes up. And worry is work, let me tell you. When I am worried, it doesn't matter how much time I have off -- a weekend or a month -- it is as if no time at all is free.
It is as if I have a mission somewhere out there in my nebulous future, but in the meantime, I am here doing this. It doesn't matter where "here" is or what "this" is -- it is simply my "in the meantime" experience. Do you ever feel like this or think like this? Some of us, from what I can discern, really have found their niche. When you talk to them, they say things like "I have the best job in the world" or "I wouldn't trade what I do for anything". I marvel and I wonder if they have found their niche......or if they have learned the secret of living "in the meantime."
I am in wait, worry and work mode again, but travelling to and from downtown Edmonton in the mornings and evenings, respectively, I gaze through the bus windows at the wintry city scenes flashing by. We have had a couple of relatively early snowfalls, and there is a blanket of white that illuminates the houses with their twinkling lights, and that somehow makes normally unattractive storefronts seem quaint and inviting all of a sudden. And as I each day meet more and more people who are kinder than I ever expected, I thank God for reminding me that though I may struggle and strain for things unseen and as yet unrevealed to me, and though there is alway hope for a better future . . .
What we do in the meantime reveals the extent to which our character has been developed. Will we push on to the next destination because our desire is so great that it overwhelms everything else? Or will we try and see the wide-open door(s) for great works to be done right where we are?
Life is lived "in the meantime."