We live in one of the greatest places in the world. I know we have problems in our society, but we have so much to be thankful for everyday. If we have a problem we can phone 911, and the police, firefighters and the paramedics will show up. We have our sidewalks cleaned by someone. I know we pay for it on our taxes but it is great. I can walk the streets of Elmira and feel safe. There are always groceries in the store, and gas for my car when I need it. We do not have earthquakes, no bad hurricanes, few tornadoes and no terrorist attacks.
There are great farmers in the area who grow the food that we need. We have many great employers. There are also agencies that help those who need a hand up to flourish where we live. Some include Woolwich Community Services, Woolwich Counseling, Elmira Association for Community Living, but there are many others that improve this community everyday. What are the agencies, employers and farmers that you know that have helped you along. When you meet them this week, say thank you. We have a Regional Chair, Ken Seiling, who has a deep love for all the communities that make up are Region.
I am amazed at the many stories about young people in the community. Every week the Observer has at least one story about how young women and men are making positive changes here in this place, and around the world. I have confidence in these people. We moved into Elmira last summer, so I walk down Arthur Street often, and the high school students will say hi to me. What a great community that we live in. Smile at the next EDSS student that you meet.
So, why do you think that this area is so blessed? It is said that this community has a strong work ethic, and so in general, we might say that we have done it ourselves. The people who settled into this area of aboriginal land have worked very hard, and so we can pat ourselves on the back over the past two centuries. I do not believe that the answer is so easy, but the community has worked hard.
Or maybe God has blessed us, and has answered the prayers of the church people in the community. There has been a Christian church community in this area for over two hundred years, and so God has given us all the good things that we now enjoy. Great jobs, great services, great health care and everything else that we think is good, are all part of God’s blessings to us. I do not believe that this answer is so simple either. God, as I understand it, is mostly un-understandable, so the good things that I am able to enjoy, do not necessarily flow exactly from the things that I have prayed to God. The Bible says that life flows equally from the just to the unjust, at least in terms of faith. Jesus says the “winds of the Spirit blows wherever” (my translation).
And people who do not express faith through the church, or do not express faith at all, are able to experience the great things of this world. I say again, that we do go through grief, loss, pain and suffering here as well, but what do we do with all this goodness. Accept it, and try to share it with others everywhere, so they might have a better life. It is not about us; it is about the mystery of this life, and for me to seek the presence of God in it all. What is it for you?
Fred Redekop
February 23, 2016