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I suppose I’ve been somewhat mystified by the Occupy movement.  Seems that there was an emphasis on the poor.  Perhaps on the greed of the rich.  Maybe a protest against current authority.

So, we occupy land and present our case, holding the responsible to account.  At least that is the way the movement started.  The fizzle of the movement occurred as the weather threatened, as well as the courts!

Jesus said we should occupy until he returns.  I suppose the Christian version of the occupy movement is a group of people who know that the kingdom of man is not the kingdom of God.  But we are here, citizens of heaven living on earth.  We occupy a space on this earth – and we love our neighbours – while fully loving God.

The bitterness of the occupy movement is not ours.  Ours is a passion to see the very best for others, to live with grace towards those who treat us unfairly, to live contented in a society that breeds dissatisfaction, to find our peace in God in the midst of recession and disturbance, to be salt and light to those who taste only bitterness and see only the worst. 

Sounds like an occupy movement I would join!  Any day!!

Soon we will see the grandkids.  Tonight is the making of caramel corn and haystacks / chocolate macaroons.  The smell is great and even the sight draws one in.  But no tasting until “the day.”

Tonight was also time to talk with my sister.  She recently had surgery for cancer.  All indications are that things were caught in time.  She will take some preventive chemo.  I’m praying all will go well.

The contrast of context is stark.  Heather lives in Oregon in a full blown recession.  Here in Kindersley we have much money in abundance flowing from deep wells of oil and plentiful ground yielding the grains of the world.

Her medical bills are paid through insurance – not a publicly funded insurance – but private insurance.  To keep premiums in the mere $1oo’s of dollars a month (which is what her job pays for), the deductible is $7,500 – per person.

I’m thankful to be living in Canada where basic health care is publicly funded!  I’m thankful for a family I can share time with.  I’m thankful for a God who became human to give to us all that was intended from the very beginning of time.

I’m just thankful!

Well, we will probably have our daughter, her husband and children; our son; my sister and some of her kids; and how many others for a “Christmas dinner” – we’ll see!  That is still being decided.

Now, of course, that means preparation.  So we checked out the freezer tonight.  Amazing what you find under and in the midst of other items.  Buns beside steaks, Naniamo bars beside . . . who cares, as long as there are Naniamo bars!

It’s been awhile since we’ve had all of this gang together at Christmas.  Should be good!

Now, this seems a rather weird idea!

We are literally hours away from the official first day of winter.  In this country we would be acclimated to the freezing weather already!  Except, the weather has been above freezing off and on for the last while.  Christmas day may find us basking in sunlight and out looking at fields that are stubble covered without snow!

Today I took both of our cars and washed them.  There is more slush than ice on our streets.  And more forecasts of possible rain than snow.  That is weird.

In the midst of this adventure I found that the tire pressures were slightly off and one windshield wiper was inoperable.  Good time to find out – I’d hate to be dealing with this in 40 below weather.

And so, there I stood outside pumping up tires and replacing wiper blades without needing gloves. 

I’m thankful!  And I must admit – I think God has a real sense of humor!!