daily life as life goes on . . .

Steve Bell – musician, Canadian, Christian.

I met Steve more than a decade ago when we ran an arts show called “Circling the Son.”  He sang, spoke, and generally charmed us all as a soft spoken, opinionated, loveable, down home gentleman.  Some of our church people became constant followers – and still do to this day.

So, it was no surprise to me when a cancer patient took to memory and heart one of the songs he sang (written by Gord Johnson). 

In the morning Lord we do look to you for the strength we need just to make it through, have mercy.  In the evening Lord we look back and say it was in your strength that we made our way, have mercy.  You are our everything we need, feed us Lord.

Check out the version he does with Fresh I.E. (folk meets hip hop).

Everything We Need – Steve Bell & Fresh I.E. 

Sometimes we need to have larger issues – suffering, poverty, discrimination – to point out to us how thankful we should be when life is comfortable.  Too often we become grumblers over issues that are so small ants could carry them away.  After we pile up our dislikes and interruptions and petty concerns, we begin to think we are hard done by.

And then the big issues strike. 

I want to be like a cancer patient I know who has carefully guarded her own heart to remain thankful in all things.  Good for the soul and the body!!

I want to learn to be thankful in all things.  Good for my soul and my body!!

Perhaps it’s old age, or common sense, or the wisdom of being ancient!

Yesterday we had considered our strength in the early morning and decided not to venture into Saskatoon, a two hour drive away.  Following a great church service, we headed home – feeling much better.  With activities that had transpired following the church service, we arrived home into the early afternoon, without sufficient time to head to the memorial service which had beckoned us to head to Saskatoon.

We decided to stay home!

And then our daughter phoned.  She wondered if we were headed into Saskatoon.  They were there.  Did we want to join them for a coffee or for supper? 

Without a strict time frame we felt we could head in.  And we were both feeling in good enough physical shape by then to be able to enjoy the afternoon.

So we did what we had done 35 years ago.  We got in the car, headed off on a four hour round trip to have coffee/ice cream/supper!

Sometimes you just want to be young again!

Around the table tonight we were discussing perceptions of our town.

In the past few months I have heard people say that the town is unfriendly.  That we have a sense of ungratefulness and entitlement.  That this atmosphere creates an aloofness pitting us against them.

And so, I’m wondering how we promote thankfulness in our town.  Most of us do recognize the many things that a small town like Kindersley provides.  But how do we let others know?  How do we express this thankfulness in ways that the community notices and rallies alongside? 

Any thoughts?