Thursday, April 17, 2008

A Lesson in Pennies

Denis Mousseau died March 22nd.
Denis Mousseau started rolling pennies simply as a pastime, something to take his mind off the lung cancer that was going to kill him.
He thought ten thousand dollars, or one million pennies, would be a good target.
But the more people who heard about Denis' campaign, the more people started to hand over pennies.
One hundred and forty-one pounds of pennies to be exact, which by our calculations is about 28,000 pennies -- about $280 closer to Denis' goal.
"He started this penny drive to help Crossroads patients and their families, so roll on in Denis' name and keep his dream alive," said Linda Kozina of the Crossroads Hospice Society, where Denis spent his last days.
"Thank you for your support and generosity," she said to all the people who had brought pennies in.
And pennies keep rolling in -- by the bucket-full.
This remarkable grassroots movement will be Denis's legacy for others who will come to the Crossroads Hospice for their final days. – ctvbc.ca


To me, it's a wonderful illustration of the collective wealth and worth of people. And how much more so those who know Christ. The Bible often refers to the church as "the body of Christ" and says that "all the members of that one body, being many, are one body" (1 Corinthians 12:12).

Every person, therefore, is essential and valuable as part of the whole. By ourselves, we may sometimes feel insignificant, unneeded, and of little value, like so much spare change. But as individual parts that make up the whole, each of us is needed (vv.15-22).

All people are unique individuals, but as Christians we are also indispensable parts of the body of Christ, and of greater value than we can ever know.

AND THAT INCLUDES YOU!!!

Thursday, April 03, 2008

Suddenly

1 year ago today, a life was born.

The biggest lesson I've learned this year (other than how selfish I am) is the fact that despite our plans and intentions and strategies and savings plans, God often chooses to work SUDDENLY (Matthew 28:9, Acts 2:2). In fact, some scholars say that "suddenly" is one of the chief themes that runs through the whole book of Acts.


When we live life too much in the suddenly we become too sloppy. We were never meant to become accustomed to suddenly.


But He does want to keep us on our toes, keep us flexible. God needed us for Annalise. God chose her for us. What if I had missed that phone call or chose not to take it because I was in a meeting (which I was).


God, thank you for an amazing year, a stretching, fulfilling, sleep depriving, growing year. Thank you for blessing Wanda and I with the most amazing gift ever. Help us to raise her to know you and to know how you move. Help me to see all the sudddenlies that come along in life and to be ready to be your tool in those situations. AMEN!!!