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Matthew 6: 27

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?  

I normally try and blog on whatever has been occupying my thoughts in the last week.  Between my family, the church, what’s in the news or on the internet, I usually have lots to choose from.  Take this week for example: the pandemic is raging out of control in India as their death rate skyrockets and they have even run out of oxygen to treat people; Alberta’s COVID rates are also on the rise and yet they have the lowest vaccination compliance rates in Canada (dare I say part of the COV-Idiot syndrome); Biden gave his 100 day in office address flanked by both a female vice president and a female speaker of the house; BC has invoked travel restrictions; the Governor of Michigan has ordered the closure of Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline; etc.

As I was hiking the Campbell River Canyon this week, pondering what I might blog on, the thought that came to mind was how blessed I am to be “riding” out the pandemic on Vancouver Island.  Yes, I know – the restaurants are closed, nobody outside our household is in our bubble, no travelling outside our health region, and still no singing in the choir, but none of those things were on my mind.  How can they be?

The air was filled with the fragrance of new life bursting forth.  Even though most of the skunk cabbage is past its prime and you have to hunt for a Trillium, the Fawn Lilies, the “Wild Bleeding Heart,” the Salmon Berry, the Saskatoon, and the Elder  Berry were all in full bloom  (I have come to the conclusion that ferns must be Canadian because as their new growth is unfolding, they are all wearing a little toque!)  The dam authority was releasing lots of water into the river right now to accommodate the melting snow pack and so not only was it exciting to watch, the sound of the water sootheed the soul.  Even the birds were stimulated by it all and chirping the Good News.

For those of you who know me well, I can be a pretty serious guy – probably more intense than what is good for my social life. I’m aware of the inequalities in the world, global warming and have committed my life to working for a Just World by preaching and practising the Good News of the Gospel and God’s unconditional love for all humans.

There are times in our life, when we have to just let it all go.  Yes, I have family members who are gravely ill, I worry about the church, I am troubled by the world and I wonder what the future holds in a post-COVID world.  But for today, I am going to breathe in that magnificent air, let my eyes take in our incredible surroundings and listen to the sounds of creation.  For today, that is enough. I am truly blessed to be here on the island, relatively safe, and surrounded by the love of family, friends and the one who created us.  For today, that is what is on my mind and  --- Life is Good!

Amen