daily life as life goes on . . .

Around 80 years or so ago, my father and his brother hitchhiked, biked and rode train to Ontario.The trip involved a failed border crossing into the United States, overnight stays with relatives and friends of family and friends.  The impetus for the trip in 1937 was to obtain work – on a relative’s farm.  Their father’s farm (Kindersley, Saskatchewan) could not support both brothers in the midst of a depression peppered with no rain and little financial resources.The adventure was a true adventure.  Their venture took them into trials and testings, but also fun and family connections.This was a formative trip.  Throughout his life, my dad constantly had the view that “the best is yet to come.”2021 – THE BEST IS YET TO COME

New Year used to be March 25th (based in a Western Christian culture).  A little interesting tidbit to start the day.Of course, the tidbit needs to take into account other cultures who will celebrate new year at another time and in other places.What a great privilege to be able to start a new year almost anytime of the year!!

Becoming a community pastor.  Not an easy thing.  Not necessarily a desired thing.  Not necessarily a matter of title.  But certainly a matter of time.I am thankful for our local pastors.  I’ve known some of them for decades.  They love the people of their churches, and they love the community.  I would gladly stand beside any of them, and just hope to reach their stature.We are a settled community.  There was a wave of settlers in the early 1900’s.  In these last few years we have more settlers who have migrated to this country and this region.  Being settled as a community also means being contented.  Not all of us, but there are agents for various social, medical, construction, retail, agricultural/resource and spiritual needs.   Beyond these needs, there are those who are given to celebration – a much needed resource in the midst of a pandemic.I am thankful!

102 years ago, my father was born (December 29, 1918).  In the little village of Kindersley!And the stars shone bright – perhaps.  It was a rather holy night – at least for those of us who follow legacy and example.My father would not have considered himself a king (in case you were wondering, the first few lines of this blog mimic a song called “Birthday of a King”). Dad was humble.  He was not a celebrity, although those around him liked him very much.He was not an intellectual academic, although he was a bit of a genius in the whole area of math and physics.He was not a contractor, although he built and renovated houses over the years.He was not a super dad, although he provided well for his children and left us memories that have lasted for decades.There is much more could be said, and I have said much more in the past.Thanks, dad, for your example – not least of which is being a godly man who loved Jesus, his family and those he brought into his life.