SHALOM

Blessed are the peacemakers.  If we will ever find peace in our marriages, in our families in our country we have to be willing to be peaceful even when life gets stormy.  This is difficult because the world we live in has become so unfair and their is a time to protest saying enough is enough.  Right now we are in the stormy waters of demanding equality and justice and things will never change until those who are in authority see the need for change.

Those who have too much need to let go of their security in money and possession and give to those who have too little.  Their world has to be shaken up for this awareness to happen.

On Friday at our church we will be meeting to eat, of course, and listen to Robert G. Beckett, fire chief for the city of Langford.  He was apart of the group of firemen who responded during the Rodney King riots, served in Bosnia, responded to the twin towers collapse and now is helping to rebuild an orphanage in Haiti. 

I admire people who are able to become involved and actually make real changes.  Haiti is one of the places where there has been so much suffering and children have been left to survive on their own.  It is hard to watch the news and see the suffering of others.  I know that I feel so helpless so I am thankful that there are others who care and are helping.

There was a young girl on the radio C.B.C. who at the age of 9 felt so angry at the conditions in Afghanistan where women were mistreated and children could not go to school.  She raised money to start a group called Little Women for Little Women.  She is now 14 and has been able to make connections and bring help and hope to those women. 

Sometimes all is needed is a helping hand to make it possible for others to take responsibility for their lives of poverty.

Trying to do "good" and do the right thing can lead to exhaustion if we do not work together with others and find our place with those who would help in supporting those who have the energy and the will to do what they have been given to do.  This does not mean that sometimes we will not  get hurt or misunderstood and feel let down and feel like with drawing but anything that is worth achieving will come at a cost. 

Building a family where everyone is appreciated and supported is also very difficult. 

"We were created to draw life and nourishment from one another the way the roots of an oak tree draw life from the soil."  John Ortberg  Everybody's Normal Till You Get to know them.  We live in an imperfect world and work with imperfect relationships but we keep doing our best.

Connections in life are important and a sense of being part of something that matters is so important and gives life meaning.