The tie that binds, celebrating Father's Day

     

     Father’s Day — a day to honour the special person who has had a major role in the event of us being here on planet earth. 

     Unfortunately, there are some folk who have never known their birth father for various reasons. Others, may be carrying unpleasant memories about a dad they would sooner forget. At times, fathers do disappoint or hurt their children. Others have been blessed with a dad who gave them a good glimpse of what our heavenly Father is like. 

     

      As I go back in memory to my Dad, I believe he did just that.

     Trying to envision some of my early childhood days relating to my dad, I’m convinced that much of who I am today, is because of his fatherly influence. 

     My dad’s employment made it necessary for him to be away from home at different times and seasons. 

     Yet I recall precious moments I loved as a child. 

     

     Often, when he was at home, he would tuck me in bed at night, lying beside me, he would just talk or tell me stories. 

     He taught me life lessons as well. On one occasion, my brother and I were driving with Dad along a country road when we passed an overly obese lady. Child-like, we began to laugh, making unkind remarks. 

     Dad scolded us saying, “Those comments are cruel. You might be like that yourself some day. "You should be respectful of others different than yourselves. "I never want to hear you laughing at someone like that again!” 

     
     The scolding, I’m sure, affected my thinking, helping me to be accepting of others as I increasingly realized everyone is of value to God. My dad often read the Bible to us kids, reminding us why Jesus came and urged us to open our hearts to Him. 

     

     Later, after becoming a christian, I was encouraged and inspired when I saw him read the Bible regularly. 

     He had a deep concern for others and their relationship to God. 

     Returning home on weekends, after my week of teaching in the city, he was always eager to discuss a christian book I was reading, or to hear of a christian meeting I had attended. 

     

     Another precious moment with my Dad will forever be etched in my memory. It was the summer of my engagement to Nels. My parents had suspected we would be married and so did not seem surprised by our announcement. 

     Nels, wanting to do things the proper way, approached my dad, formally asking for my hand in marriage. Giving Nels his blessing, I can still see the tears streaming down my dear Dad’s face. Though happy for me, and with warm feelings toward Nels, yet he had mixed emotions. He was well aware it meant his youngest child would be leaving the family nest and living too far away. 

     

     

     These and similar stories of my early life can be found in my biography, Seeds of Love...  

     When we pause to recall the loving family relationships some of us have been blessed with, it is only a small picture of our relationship with our Heavenly Father. 

     


     We’re told, “The Lord delights in those who fear (honour, reverence) him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” 

Psalm 147:11 

     I believe God is delighted when He hears from us. Just as I am thrilled when one of my children gives of their time with a phone call, a visit over coffee, or even a Scrabble game, so must my Heavenly Father be pleased when I find time to spend with Him.     

     We have just completed National Blood Donor week. It was a week intended to celebrate blood donor volunteers and the people who do such great work on our behalf. However, it became a serious cry to the public, asking for more donors due to a critical shortage in the blood bank at this time. 

     The need was to collect 50,000 units of blood across Canada by end of June. Many of us have had blood transfusions during or after a surgery. The possibility of all of us needing such help is always there. 

     I recently signed up and received training to assist at our local clinic. I also forwarded information regarding the urgency for donors to many on my email list.     

     How can you help?  Visit blood.ca  Get the GiveBlood app.     

     Blood is life, and necessary for our survival. It is to be treated with respect.   

     “For the life of a creature is in the blood…it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life. The blood of the Old Testament sacrifices pointed forward to the blood of the Lamb who obtained for his people eternal redemption.”   

Hebrews 9:12     

     

        As a side note, I was pleased to hear today of Gord Downey of the Tragically Hip Canadian music group, receiving the Order of Canada award, because of his devotion to the cause of bringing more awareness of indigenous people. 

     

It was long overdue, I would add.


— beulah

Hoping by week's end, everything will be just "ducky"

     

     As I relax in my easy chair, sitting by my bedroom window, I look out upon my colourful flower garden so tastefully designed by my gardener, daughter Karen Joy. 

     Listening to the varied and delightful songs from my little bird friends, I muse, “What could be more peaceful?”  

     I am especially thankful and excited today. 

     My new kitchen cupboards are presently being installed! Never mind that it feels somewhat like a camping adventure, with dishes, pots and pans, and non-perishable food items stashed in my dining room and garage. 

     But knowing the end result will be pleasing, makes it all worthwhile. 

     

     

     My community here at Glenmeadows has maple trees lining the streets, with flowering shrubs and hedges throughout, making it a haven for different kinds of birds. 

     Lots of quail, an occasional black squirrel who likes to visit, and once I had a huge owl appear on the tree in my backyard. 

     

     Our resident mallard ducks, a colourful drake and a mottled brown female partner enjoy our waterways and strolls through the grassy areas.

     We’ve even had visits from deer, who somehow find their way over the walls of our gated community. 

     

     Recently, the bird world surrounding my home wasn’t too peaceful. Noisy and not-so-friendly magpies — one in particular — made it known that he was not pleased with the presence of other birds nearby.

     Getting out my bird guide, I possibly identified these birds as “juncos” known as ground-feeding sparrows. 

     War was now on, as I observed three or four birds trying to find refuge in a secluded spot near my den window. 

     Possibly so overcome with fear, and cornered, they left a ‘messy, tell-tale’ presence on my wrought iron settee and nearby garage window sill. 

     Feeling for them — yet not appreciating their mess — I shooed them off. Forgetting that my garage door was open, one dashed inside for cover, hiding from view. Searching over and under everything with no image of a bird in sight, I closed the door, assuming it had left. 

     Sometime later, going to my garage, there sat the “bird-in-question.” Motionless and stiff with fear, it would not move, even at the sound of the noisy garage door being opened. By my urging it onward, it finally took flight to a nearby tree, but not without being followed by its detestable enemy, who had obviously been patiently waiting. 

     I did not wish to know the outcome. It being the “nesting season,” perhaps protecting its young was on the mind of this disreputable magpie. He probably thought his territory was being invaded. 

     When I first moved here — not used to seeing magpies at the Coast — I was somewhat fascinated with these omnivorous scavengers. I’ve learned they are members of the crow family. Unique with their remarkable tail, longer than their body, it seems to stream behind as they are in flight. 

     Recently, pedestrians on the sidewalks in an area of Vancouver, were attacked by crows. The friendly crows were swooping down, touching the back of the heads or necks of people as they walked along. It was said the crows would not approach anyone from the front, only attack their back. I never heard the reason for that. 

     Considering the amazing bird world our Heavenly Father chose to create, we can be reminded of Jesus’ words and His watchful care over them and us as well. 

     “Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life.” 

—Matthew 6: 26   

     The following old hymn was one of my favourites as a child.    

“All things bright and beautiful, 

All things great and small, 

All things wise and wonderful; 

Our Father made them all. 

Each little flower that opens, 

Each little bird that sings; 

He made their glowing colours, 

He made their tiny wings. 

Cold wind in the winter, 

Pleasant summer sun, 

Ripe fruits in the garden; 

He made them everyone. 

He gave us eyes to see them, 

And lips that we might tell 

How good is God our Father 

Who doeth all things well."   

     "It’s going to be a great week!" 

     Son, Roger, from Abbotsford is visiting me this week. 

     Nathan, one of my grandsons, is graduating from UBC  Okanagan on Thursday with a civil engineering degree. 

     I get to go to the ceremony, and celebration later in the evening with family and friends. 

     I anticipate seeing my completed cupboards and countertops in my cozy kitchen by week’s end. 

     God just continues to BLESS and BLESS and BLESS!!!!!

— beulah