Happy belated Canada Day!
Yesterday the family celebrated Canada Day quietly. I took the time to think about how families throughout the country would be celebrating. They have traditions of get-togethers and fireworks. Some joined a walk in honour of the children who never made it home. Mine was filled with reflecting – the many good things we have in Canada, like healthcare, education, freedoms and so forth but then thinking about it all, I was reminded that not everyone has equal access to any of these and some of it is culturally or racially biased. I am reminded that this is based on the past, but I feel we are being shifted (maybe even trampolined) forward. And it won’t be easy.
My journal entry to remember this Canada Day and how it impacts my soul:
God forgive us, for we know not what we do, when we say something that is harmful to another even when they are not there.
Forgive us when we are hesitant to believe things that feel so outrageous that we hang onto hope that the stories are false.
Forgive us when we think we know everything, or when we think we know what’s best, forgetting that we all have a journey that’s as unique as our souls.
Forgive us when we remain silent when someone hurts another.
Help us to move forward.
Help us to heal the things of our heart that cause us to be something we wish we weren’t.
Help us to look at the things of our past, the norms of society that we grew up with, and to reflect and assess them in how we are in our world today.
Help us to continue to learn, to ask questions, and to be sensitive to those we encounter when asking questions.
Thank you…
Thank you for your love, forgiveness, kindness and grace.
Thank you for opening our eyes and hearts to things we need to know.
Thank you for this beautiful country and land that we share with so many.
Thank you for those who allow us to be here and who encourage us to thrive in our lives.
And I pray:
O God, in the humility and naivety of my heart, I wish you could wipe our souls clean from the past so we have a fresh start. But I know it is not possible. I know that all the things that happen through life, and life before us, is for us to learn from as we do our best to help reach the goal of creating heaven on earth. When we ache for ourselves and others, embrace us in your love and care. When we don’t know what to do or which way to go, nudge us with your Spirit. God be in us, around us and within us in everything we do, everywhere we go, and in everyone we encounter. Help us to be the living embodiment of love, respect, and grace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Yesterday the family celebrated Canada Day quietly. I took the time to think about how families throughout the country would be celebrating. They have traditions of get-togethers and fireworks. Some joined a walk in honour of the children who never made it home. Mine was filled with reflecting – the many good things we have in Canada, like healthcare, education, freedoms and so forth but then thinking about it all, I was reminded that not everyone has equal access to any of these and some of it is culturally or racially biased. I am reminded that this is based on the past, but I feel we are being shifted (maybe even trampolined) forward. And it won’t be easy.
My journal entry to remember this Canada Day and how it impacts my soul:
God forgive us, for we know not what we do, when we say something that is harmful to another even when they are not there.
Forgive us when we are hesitant to believe things that feel so outrageous that we hang onto hope that the stories are false.
Forgive us when we think we know everything, or when we think we know what’s best, forgetting that we all have a journey that’s as unique as our souls.
Forgive us when we remain silent when someone hurts another.
Help us to move forward.
Help us to heal the things of our heart that cause us to be something we wish we weren’t.
Help us to look at the things of our past, the norms of society that we grew up with, and to reflect and assess them in how we are in our world today.
Help us to continue to learn, to ask questions, and to be sensitive to those we encounter when asking questions.
Thank you…
Thank you for your love, forgiveness, kindness and grace.
Thank you for opening our eyes and hearts to things we need to know.
Thank you for this beautiful country and land that we share with so many.
Thank you for those who allow us to be here and who encourage us to thrive in our lives.
And I pray:
O God, in the humility and naivety of my heart, I wish you could wipe our souls clean from the past so we have a fresh start. But I know it is not possible. I know that all the things that happen through life, and life before us, is for us to learn from as we do our best to help reach the goal of creating heaven on earth. When we ache for ourselves and others, embrace us in your love and care. When we don’t know what to do or which way to go, nudge us with your Spirit. God be in us, around us and within us in everything we do, everywhere we go, and in everyone we encounter. Help us to be the living embodiment of love, respect, and grace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.