​Good morning friends.
I feel like we’re in the 9th inning stretch of summer.  I’m excited that the Toronto Blue Jays are having their first game back home today.  I’m excited that it’s a little cooler – for the sake of a less sweaty workout.  I’m excited that there are only 2 sleeps left until vacation.
 
I wonder what you’re doing this summer for vacation?  Are you getting away?  Are you doing a stay-cation?  Are you doing what you normally do – work, cottage, etc.?  In the month of August, I encourage you to try/do something just a little different to shake things up.  It could be taking a drive to somewhere you haven’t been (or haven’t been to in quite a while), or visiting someone you haven’t seen (safely), learning something new or more… 
 
A prayer for us today:
God of all, embrace us in this summer.  Embrace our restfulness, playfulness, busyness, restlessness or however we are.  Embrace our moods as they vary through the experiences of the day and help us to be kind and good to ourselves and to one another.  God of all, keep us safe as we travel, as we explore, and as we may try new things.  May those who are suffering feel you comforting them, those who are lonely feel you supporting them, and those who are tired feel you holding them.  And God, if COVID can end so things can be back to normal in September, that’d be great.  We’re just gonna throw that out there…. Be with us this day and all our days. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
 
 

Ahhhhh. Picture it. A day at the beach and not many people are around. You can lay your towel down and set a few things out for your beach time. You see a few familiar faces but they're focused on their family time, which is great, because you're feeling you just need a little 'you time'.

The water is the perfect temperature. The sun is out but it's not humid. The sand isn't too hot to the touch. The smell of the sea breeze is refreshing and the sounds are so relaxing.

What do you do next? Are you up for a swim? Do you read a book? Have a snack? People watch? Hmmmmm. I'd be in that water so fast...

Today, I hope you are able to take a breath, with that image in mind. I hope you have a few moments to think "yay, a new week is upon us" and you're ready to conquer it. Mine looks a little overwhelming as I try to squeeze a lot in so I feel better about putting work aside for August. But I also broke that list down into feasible chunks with some time to breathe... and to visit.

​A prayer for us today:
God of all, thank you for the gift of another day. Thank you for imaginations, images, sights, sounds, and dreams. Be with us as we start off the week. Calm our anxieties, grant us grace, and infuse us with gratitude and kindness. Be with all who are taking part in the Olympics - may they be safe, as well as the residents. We hold Art & Carol in our prayers in hopes that they are getting what they need in this time. We hold all those who are recovering from surgeries and all those who are living with illness or disease as well, knowing that you are with them... and praying that they are comfortable and have the care they need. Be with those who are lonely, O God, and may they know that many of us are just a call/text/email/message away. Be our strength when we feel weak, our hope when we feel hopeless and our joy when we're feeling less joyful. Help us to hear your song in our hearts.
In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
 
 
 

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.