I Woke Up Knowing What I Would Write

Then I Found Out That Friend Joshua Already Wrote It

Dear Readers, God is definitely afoot. To my post yesterday on Jim Prentice and the Canadian stand at Copenhagen, my friend Joshua writes a long comment, that was sorta about the topic, but actually was more about what I planned to write when I woke up this morning. I find this happening to me more and more each day, and so I say God is afoot.

He is a beautiful writer and has said what I planned to say better than I planned to say it. Here was his comment:

Before our first child was born, my wife and I spent hours figuring out how we would "raise" the baby.

"It's really important that a person be able to think for themselves - not just fall in with a crowd or a mob," my wife opined. Because of her own cultural background, she was highly suspicious of "popular mass political movements" especially. "Mob rule is frightening, and mobs do have actual leaders. They're called fascists, and they scare the living daylights out of me. Ungodly people from the get-go!"

So we raised our kids to not be followers of other men (as in mankind). "Whenever somebody starts pointing and shouting 'Look what's happening over there!', always rememeber to look in BOTH directions - as if you are crossing a busy street. Often, when people are told to look in one direction, it is because somebody doesn't want them looking in another direction - where the REAL IMPORTANT stuff is happening. Always give things a 'full 360' before coming to a decision. Learn to control your focus, and not let others trick you by diverting your focus to unimportant things."

Today, I'm proud to say that my kids grew up to be (let me crow!): a medical doctor currently serving in the armed forces in the Middle East; a stonemason/builder with his own business and supporting a family of five in Alberta; a young diplomat serving his country abroad. All have chosen very different paths, but they all march to the same drummer - Jehovah. Our family reunions are always brimful with love and mutual admiration and support. I always feel completely recharged after them. my wife feels the same way. Our three boys - along with a few other kids we picked up along the way - constitute our greatest accomplishment together. Every one of our kids is capable of making my wife "glow" like a young mother - it's positively weird! I see her in the middle distance talking./interacting with one or more of our children, and I see the 19-year-old girl who captured my heart with her first glance all over again. I know it sounds sappy, but there you have it. It is my belief that this is the kind of "romance" or "magic" the Holy Spirit brings to a marriage that two people have worked hard at for so long. Love and commitment to her has rendered my wife forever young in my eyes. The years have only brought more depth to her beauty.

God brings you anything you seek. But you cannot find what you seek if you don't actively LOOK for it. I always had my eye out for what is "real" and what is "true".

I wanted, and still want, "real, true love" because I wanted to be a "real, true father" to my own children. I got both - far earlier than most young men of my generation. My friends said "It'll never work." But my only living parent at the time had no doubts whatsoever that mine would prove to be an enduring marriage.

I could go on...

What does this have to do with climate or climate change?

I believe that "climate" - like charity - begins in the home. Note how often the concept of "climate and/or climate change" is linked to the word "awareness". "Awareness" ALSO starts - like charity - in the home.

Bob Dylan famously wrote: "Don't follow leaders / Watch the parking meters". Methinks Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman did a very good job of raising young Robert.

Giving the climate change issue the "old 360", one can find as many expert "opinions" - scientific or otherwise - on one side of the debate as on the other. The truth of it is that this is a circumstance in flux, not a "truth" or a "lie".

Ultimately, of course, the only Truths that matter are God and His Divine Plan. At the individual level, the only truth that matters is finding the best way to play one's role in the fulfillment of that Plan. Finding that niche - "finding your bliss" as they say - turns your work into your pleasure and your pleasure into your service. How great a deal is THAT!?!

Oops! I think I'm rambling...

Sorry, but it's 5:55 a.m. and I've only had one teensy-weensy coffee! have a WONDERFUL SUNDAY, everybody!

Pretty deep thoughts for 5:55 am, methinks.