Sign of the Times
Unbearable Love by Rejean Bernier
"If I ever became condemned to being bedridden and dependant on the care giving of others, I would lose hope. I would rather die." This admission, that I heard once from a man in my neighbourhood, is one several folks would agree with. In his forties, he was a workaholic, powerful and popular, unable to imagine himself living otherwise.
Isn't it what we all desire - to live our lives "to the max" until the very end? Yet, can one still do so when afflicted with a degenerative disease? And, are there limits to living fully? In Québec, the Committee Dying with Dignity launched by the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition Commision has examined these important issues. Sharing principles and beliefs with others is one thing, but having to endure physical suffering or remorse and helplessness when a loved one is in great pain or anguish is something else altogether. Establishing rules to deal with such dark moments in life is wise. On the one hand, medical progress forces us to do so, especially when "Medicine prolongs death"! On the other hand, we rarely take time to reflect collectively on death and dying. There is more to life than hockey... (...)

Spiritual Maturity
The Joy of  forgiveness by Sylvie Malaborsa
One of the most difficult endeavours to accomplish in life must be to forgive. Yet, as John the Evangelist wrote: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:19)
An acquaintance recently related to me a stressful episode that occurred five years ago. After the loss of her permanent employment, she was unable to find work despite tardy but vigorous searching. Her rental fees had been late since early fall, she had no money for the November payment, which was almost three weeks overdue and had no idea how the last month of the year would be acquitted. To make matters worse, the duplex was changing ownership and the real estate agent, to whom the landlady had complained, was pressuring her. Fearing the sale of the house might be jeopardized, she gave her a few days to come up with the money. She cautioned the new proprietor had the right to evict her before Christmas if she did not fulfill her responsibilities. (...)

Life's Little Secrets
Finding Joy in Life  by Jeannette Brimner
Lately I have experienced frustration, and impatience. One source of distress has been our new dishwasher which began leaking a month ago. It has not been repaired because the new liner is on backorder, so every time it's used we put a towel down to soak up the rinse water as it spews onto the floor.
Yet I have so many blessings which I often take for granted.  I am reading a book called "One Thousand Gifts," by Ann Voskamp. She lives on a farm with her husband and six children and she has decided to  write down a thousand things she is thankful for. Her inspiring words have alerted me to all the gifts around us that reflect God's glory such as the blue jays, cardinals and finches flitting from tree to tree at a summer place up north. (...)

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