Newfie June - Christmas Greetings 2003




We Christians are entering a very holy season, the celebration of the birth of Christ. We believe that He was given to the world to bring hope and save us from evil. Sometimes I think we need him now more than ever. With a war going on in the world and all the bad news we get bombarded with each day, it is easy to fall prey to hopelessness.

But, all is not lost! We are being trained to see only the bad…for that is what is sensational and sells newspapers and makes us tune in to the television and radio.

I do a lot of reflecting this time of year and some things I have remembered or witnessed lately, remind of the good in humankind.

We often hear of how many youths are run-aways, are addicted to drugs, are in our prisons, etc. To think that our future is going to be in the hands of these same youths is sometimes scary.

A couple of years back; I attended an awards ceremony for one of the biggest high schools in Alberta. The awards given out were for academic achievement. I sat and watched and listened that night. I am not so naive at my age to think that all children who are smart are also leading a pristine life. Rather, I was interested in what they were saying to each other when they thought no one was particularly listening. I watched how they interacted with each other, their own parents and the parents of friends and schoolmates. I came away so heartened that I was almost in tears. The vast majority of these young adults were kind, concerned and caring about others, their environment and the state of the world. If something can be done to improve this planet we share, by golly…they can do it!

More recently, I stared riding the commuter train and taking a bus to get home from work occasionally. My train stop is before downtown, so I usually get a seat. By the time we get through the several downtown stops, however, the train is packed and looks like a cattle car.

As a diehard people-watcher, it fascinated me. I would quietly sit and listen. Most people sit quietly and read a book, some chat with friends or co-workers. The teens and young adults, however, are the real ones to watch. You see some with designer clothes, hair just-so, some tattooed; almost all pierced to some degree or other. You hear them chattering around you. Some are using the rapper "hood speak" that can hardly be understood; they may as well be speaking Greek (in my day it was pig Latin).

About two weeks ago, I was riding the train through downtown Calgary. After the first two stops the car was jam-packed full. A couple of seats back, a group of teens were seated, chatting in their "own language".

A bit further on in the route, is a stop near a downtown clinic. A man of about thirty got on. A little girl was in his arms. She was obviously not feeling well and had her head lying on the man's shoulder. I had watched them come out of the clinic door so assumed she was the patient and he had taken her there to see a doctor.

The train was so full that I didn't think he would be able to squeeze on but it was obvious that he was determined to just get this child home as soon as possible. They managed to get into the "foyer section" of the train but you could see the man wondering how he was going to manage to hold on to a handrail while holding in to her at the same time. I was just trying to figure out how I could get out of my window seat and wiggle out to let him sit down, when I heard this young girl's voice from behind calling out to the man. She took control and while letting the young father know that she wanted to give him her seat, she also was directing the folks in the crowded aisle to move aside to let him pass.

I was so touched by her concern that I swelled with pride…even though I didn't know her. More than that, though, I was heartened that she accurately and quickly assessed the situation and took the appropriate action. She was not intimidated by the fact that this would not be an easy task (much easier to just ignore the situation) nor that she would have to direct several adults (some obviously young oil executives). She took charge and did the right thing. I wish I could have caught her eye to mouth my thank you to her. She deserved it!

If this doesn't give you hope and encouragement in the world…what will? My message is that kindness and caring of the human spirit is still out there. Look for it and don't be surprised if it is wrapped in a package that you wouldn't expect. Teach your children manners…they do appear when needed…trust me. Feel pride when our young do something kind or courageous…even if it's not your child. Most of all…don't despair. Don't let the bombardment of bad news we see and hear cloud the fact that there is every bit as much (if not more) goodness in the world than there is evil.

So, in this season of love and encouragement, let us take heart. God's love still shines though; often I the most unsuspecting ways.

From Newfie June and her family, have a safe and blessed holiday season.

© Newfie June




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