Sitting down to reflect on this week, one of the first words I can think of is JOY.
Flo and I have just returned from a trip to Penticton. Enroute, we encountered car troubles. The car began to lose power. Through a friend in Kelowna, we were able to contact the VW Dealer.
JOY #1: The dealer advised if we could get into Kelowna before 4:30 they would take the car in and check it out. The result: a failed fuel injector. The bonus: the part was on site. They could work on it on Friday. We hoped for a late Friday pickup, but no luck. Then Saturday—still not ready. Now, we had to wait until Monday morning!
Monday morning, we were able to leave for home. We are filled with joy for the service and professionalism of Turner Volkswagen in Kelowna. Knowing we were travelling to the Island, they put two bottles of water in our hands!
JOY #2: When it was time to phone a friend: Kathy came to our rescue!
She helped us transfer all our luggage and gear into her truck. She drove us to our hotel in Penticton, where Flo would meet with the convention facility the next morning.
Friends are the joy of our lives in so many ways! This same friend also gathered us up on Sunday to drive us to another hotel in Kelowna, so we could be at Turner VW first thing the next morning!
JOY #3: Chance encounter: the Courtesy Car driver for Turner VW asked us ‘what brought us to Kelowna?’ Flo mentioned Order of the Eastern Star.
The driver immediately shared how his parents were part of the Eastern Star! We chatted on about the various charities that organization supports.
JOY #4: Unsure of our return time to the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, we had not made a reservation.
We let out a little cheer when we realized that we were first in line of the final 6 cars to get on the 5:45 ferry! How great it was to be home and to find a bouquet of welcome home flowers in the kitchen, compliments of our daughter!
At this in a time in history, when all you hear on the news is a litany of exhaustion, political chaos and injustice, climate anxiety, war and spiritual fatigue, it is easy to wonder, “Where is the joy?”
On Tuesday morning, I joined the clergy of the Diocese of British Columbia and Yukon in our annual conference. Our theme has been “feed my sheep”.
We have heard the stories of Generation X coming to mainline churches in search of authenticity, acceptance and the joy of not being judged.
We find ourselves midway through the post-resurrection period of the liturgical calendar. Our scriptures have been taking us on a journey of experiencing beauty and blessings of the living Spirit of God!
Our response is to search for, and see, the joy of this Spirit to the world. As I have shared several joys here, I can say, “The Spirit alive and well!”