HELLO!

My day began very early with a phone from a couple traveling from Ontario. They needed some resources, so I made my way to the parking lot where they are living. I provided them with contacts. Later, the husband called back, he told me his wife is living with a terminal diagnosis, and this trip was her last request. It was a most moving conversation and one I shall never forget. Later, I met a young mother, she was attempting to sort out her budget: rent, food, transportation. The foodbank is the only way she can feed her family and pay some of her bills. I am inspired by Christene, who helps manage the Community Fridge in downtown Dartmouth. She asked me a few years ago to speak with some of the volunteers, as burnout is always a worry for those on the frontlines of food insecurity. And for all that stress, imagine being this mother, with the challenges she faces. The affordability crisis is now the number one concern of Canadians coast to coast. If you missed this story, here is the link: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/hrm-community-fridge-demand-9.6984347

I was sharing recently with some of our church community how stress can, at times, get to me. It is rare for me to show any signs of stress (except for driving or a meeting that goes on for 90 minutes+). One solution is always to think how much more difficult it is for those facing the challenges I do not. It is also helpful, for me, to ponder small ways I participate in responding to calls like the one this morning. And the third stress buster is humour, being with people who help me to laugh at myself. What does not help, and the one area that does get under my skin, are times when people complain about matters that pale in comparison to the one with the cancer diagnosis, the budget choices of food or shelter, the broken relationships, the social injustice faced by so many of our fellow citizens, living with pain. Is this a judgement on my part? Yes it is. But I make no apologies for it. We all need our distractions, I am no different, I never judge people for the things that help them to cope, the small things in life that bring us joy. I have sports, coffee, politics, walking, and silliness, you likely have your own list. What irritates me is not what people say to me or about me, it is making our own unique lifestyle needs so disproportionately critical that it blinds us to the true crisis others face, that one day, we will face too. “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me.” Matthew 25:40

Peace, Kevin