March 13th: Well Educated

My mother was a very intelligent woman. She was chosen to go to teachers college and did very well. Circumstances prevented her from ever following that career path, but her education and brains never abandoned her. In fact, when she insulted someone, it wasn’t with the usual “idiot” or “moron.” She wouldn’t call you stupid or say you were a dirty pig, No, those insults weren’t my mother’s style at all. Instead, if she felt you were to be put in your place she would simply say to you “Maleducato!” and that would be the end of it.
Yes folks, her greatest insult was to call you “poorly educated.” Not a dummy, not a son of a motherless goat (an odd insult I once heard on ‘Canada’s Worst Driver…” not even a scoundrel. For my mother, to lack proper learning was something of great shame and embarrassment.
Notice that she didn’t go the “lack of intelligence” route. That wasn’t the point for her. My mother believed that with a good education pretty much anything could be accomplished by anyone. That didn’t mean having a university or college degree. It didn’t even mean being an ‘A’ student. It simply meant having a broad and healthy knowledge, and using it wisely.
When my mother was growing up, education was vital. It was not, however, universal. In the 1930’s Mussolini’s Fascist government did a great deal to advance the school system and make education available to everyone. My mother was a product of that education. It was, however, a new enough system that the risk and stigma of having no education was very much on everyone’s minds.
Today Italy, Canada and most Western nations enjoy a high degree of education. That does not necessarily mean that people are any smarter; it simply means that we at least have the chance to know what we need to know to make it in the modern world. As good as our education systems may be, they are sadly lacking in one area that could make life much better for everyone: Faith. Religion. God. Call it what you will, few schools offer a decent base in Spirituality, in knowing who and what God is about, and how to make a strong connection between creation and creator.
That’s a shame, because few of the kids that I’ve seen through Youth groups would ever receive my mother’s ultimate insult of “Maleducato!” In fact, when kids go to church regularly they do much better with the rest of their lives. They seem more grounded; they are kinder; they are, in a word, better. Learning about God in a healthy loving environment does that for folks, young or old. It’s not just about Sunday school, or public school or high school. It’s all about learning who and what God is, understanding what Jesus means to us, and then living by what we’ve learned. Nothing can beat a good education, and a good education includes God.

March 15th

Lord, thanks for the unexpected, the little surprises that reveal your work through strangers. What a blessing it was to have received contributions for "Outreach for Hunger," that someone would realize that a church is a good place to turn when you want to help. I don't know who the people were, they didn't want any credit, but I do know that they are signs of your work in our community and hope for St. James. I pray that you will continue to bless us in those small, surprising ways, and that the folks at St. James will be such a blessing in our community that others can't help but notice the work that we do on your behalf. I also pray that we might grow through our service to others and that you will bless us with the strength to work hard and the patience to work without ceasing.

March 14th

Lord, it's been a day of work rather than rest, but it's still been a good day. I thank you for the productivity I was able to enjoy, and for the creativity that allows me to shape worship.
I also thank you for David and Anna, and for the way that their involvement in Cadets makes them better people. I pray that they may continue to grow and to be the great kids they are.

March 13th

God, thanks for another good day of worship and for all the blessings you provide.
Thanks as well for being able to spend some time with Lois, to be able to talk about our plans and dreams for the house, and just to be together.
Thanks, finally, for an opportunity to get out an exercise and enjoy the day. May the blessings you provide me help me to be a blessing to others in your Name.

March 12th

Loving God, it's tough to see folks getting old and becoming more frail, but it's a joy to be able to bring them a smile with something as simple as a visit and time spent together. I thank you for empowering me to do that ministry, and pray that you will help me continue to care for those that need little physically, but a lot emotionally.