Strength

Happy Canada Day Everyone!

A few years ago, a young teenaged driver took the hill on our Churchville road too sharply and landed in our front lawn.  Our tall weeping evergreen was hit and laid low.  Gary propped it up with a steel post and rope.  Recently he decided the tree was strong enough to take out the post.  After struggling some time, he knew he couldn’t get it out.  His chest has not fully recovered from surgery a year ago.  He gave up and went inside.  While outside gardening, I saw our neighbour across the street and decided to go over to borrow his muscles.  He readily agreed, came over and quickly pulled out the post as if it were a toothpick.  Maybe Martin just needed to put a finishing touch on Gary’s previous work of strength.  Hmmm, probably not.

Canada Day’s celebrations happen again tomorrow which will be very different from other years.  It has been sad to watch our nation’s strength laid low over the past six months due to COVID – 19.  Our economy is suffering.  Our citizens are in turmoil over added restrictions to contend with.  Most of our children and grandchildren have not been in school.  There have been too many deaths among our senior population. Numerous areas of day to day living are being questioned.  Needless to say, our future is very uncertain particularly with the influence of the U.S.’s terrible struggles too close by.  Is it safe for our two granddaughters to return to their universities in Pennsylvania come August?  We definitely need God’s strength to keep going.

Our Hillside Church in Milton also needs God’s strength to keep going.  The funds for our summer student employment for outreach have not arrived yet, nor have we been able to recruit two workers for the task.  Thankfully, the program has been extended until December 31.  Please would you pray for Scott Lockhart, our Outreach Director as his intention is to move to Milton from Sarnia sooner than later?  This will require housing and employment. We would really like to have an official launch of the church this fall.  Gary continues to faithfully put out our weekly Sunday service (facebook.com/hillsidechurchmilton).  We have no idea who and how many are watching for a few minutes or the whole presentation.

With all of our questions and uncertainties it is good to refresh our memories about God’s constant promises for strength.  I Peter 5:10 is such an example, “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

Blessings to you and your family,

Wendy

Wendy.carter@kainos.org