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A Reflection ...

Pointing out that 2020 has not been without its challenges would be an understatement of greatest proportion. And it’s only August!

Tragedy around the globe: tornadoes, wild fires, flooding, earthquakes, hurricanes, refugee and migrant crises, one humanitarian crisis after another, drought, food shortages, increased global tensions and war, deadly explosions, civil unrest, hailstorms, the list goes on. But none of these are new or out of the ordinary. A little disconcerting when seen all in one paragraph, maybe!

Closer to home, we’ve had our share of health issues and loss in our Hope family as well as within our nuclear families and friendships. However, there have been births and graduations and engagements and weddings too! Our God continues to bless us even in tragedy and uncertain times.

But the global pandemic; that really changed things. It changed things for everyone on the planet. We would be hard pressed to find someone who has not been affected in one way or another by COVID-19 and its continuing fallout. Did you ever think the world would ever be “shut down”? Did you ever think that our world would be on the same page about anything at the same time? Did you ever think that we would all be working as one?

While our current reality is unfamiliar and disconcerting and what we may have taken for granted before the pandemic is likely no longer, this is the same experience for every person on the planet. There is so much uncertainty and no one knows how long it will last, but the world is feeling it together. And that may be a first!

The sun still rises every morning and we continue on, putting one foot in front of the other, trying to stay positive and supportive, reaching out and finding meaning and joy in new and different ways. And there are many positives: the sky is bluer, the air is cleaner, the earth is not vibrating as much as usual, children have had more time with their parents, there are fewer pre-term births just to name a few.

Let’s not forget those in our church community who have experienced loss or are struggling with health or financial issues. As well as those in our city, our province, our country... and the world. We need to be responsible and caring, and know that God is ever present and still with us.

This Sunday, August 9 is the United Nations’ International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples.

Each and every one of us is a child of God, regardless of our faith or colour or nationality. And each of God’s children is in the same predicament, but so, so many are suffering so much more than we are. Wouldn’t it be amazing if, as the world battles the pandemic together, we also begin to look at each other and love one another and treat one another as equals and as one?

The indigenous and disadvantaged of the world are suffering more challenges during this time. As we continue putting one foot in front of the other, let us hold in our hearts and prayers those who are struggling more than we are. Let’s love and support them the best we can.

JH