This has been a year of travel for
me; I have enjoyed the jungles of Panama;
diving in Roatan; winter in Ontario; the winding roads to Disneyland; navigating
BC’s highway to Northern Smithers; strolling Kelowna’s waterfront; enjoying friendship
in Osoyoos; more diving in Puerto Morelos and Cozumel; communing with family in a rented cabin on the
shore of Cultus Lake; ferrying to Victoria and on to Mount Washington; loving living
and diving in Roatan, again... and just now, I’m home from two weeks loving on family
in Ontario…a sweet ending to my year of travel.
I travelled home on the day of
the US election, which of course added to the experience. I listened to many points of view on screen
and off, waiting in airports and flying the skies, at times right over some of the
United States. The air itself was thick
with opinions, gasps and outcries. As
the evening wore on one unbelievable thing began to be clear…the Donald would
be the next president of our neighbour, the United States. Not that Hillary was any better, but still.
During my travels, speaking with
Americans, most realized that they were between a rock and a hard place…most
people from other countries agreed…but how did it get this far? What to do? It seems the Americans that voted
and even those who didn’t wanted change…but this?
Unbelievable.
Some friends ask why Canadians
even care. We care because Canada is connected
to the US in more ways than just borders; we are connected by culture, economy,
trade, tourism, shared heritage and this being Remembrance Day...we share war
stories.
I don’t pretend to know a lot about
politics, but one thing that came to mind during all this commotion of
campaigning and electing was this - since the beginning of time God has let the
people choose a king even when He didn't want them to. He has let some pretty cruel ‘kings’ stand.
In hindsight we can sometimes see the why of it and sometimes we can see how
people persevered and endured through the suffering of it…being Daniels in the
midst of Nebuchadnezzar’s.
Frederich Beuchner stated it well…
“Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will
happen. Don’t be afraid.”
To say the least, the next few years will be interesting...
"Finally, all of you have unity of mind, sympathy,
brotherly love, a tender heart,
and a humble mind. Do
not repay evil with evil...on the contrary, bless,
for to this you were called; that you may obtain a
blessing."
1 Peter 3:8-9
Anyways, I had a fabulous year, what
a ride…
I love that!
