The world news media these days is a constant diet of war, violence, cruelty and greed. For dessert, the menu offers environmental disaster, flood or wildfires caused by weather. All of it is based on truth. These events are happening. People I love assure me I need to know all this every day. Over and over again, I hear the world is heading downward to “Hell,” whatever that is. How could there possibly be any hope?
I recently received this Good News Story of kindness, caring and generosity in my inbox. I want to pass it on. You see, I believe our world is wonderful. I believe that the number of people walking a loving and caring path increases as fast as the world’s population. We just don’t hear about them. Here is the story from the United Church’s Philanthropy Unit about Rock Lake Pastoral Charge in Manitoba.
“Please find enclosed our cheque for $_____. The great-grandchildren of one of our members rolled loose coins they found around the house. The three children, ages 12, 9, and 7, were told if they rolled the coins, they could use the money however they wanted…. They brought the money to Rock Lake Pastoral Charge and asked to have it sent through The United Church of Canada for Emergency Response―Ukraine. They wanted it to go through the church because their great-grandmother loved the church.
“The children could have gone and bought something for themselves. Instead, they chose to help the people of Ukraine…”
This story is not unique. People of all ages care about housing and food insecurity here in Canada. As a small example we have 28 volunteers working at our Food Bank at Bridgenorth United Church. People everywhere care about our environment, about wars in Ukraine, in Palestine, in Sudan. They not only care they are taking action. Because what bleeds, leads, we rarely hear any good news stories in the news media. The only exceptions are the small community newspapers. They bring us many Good News stories. Check out the stories in this paper today.
Yes, our population is growing and with it grows need. The problem is that most of us keep quiet about the acts of caring and kindness we do. We keep quiet about the miracle. The miracle that the number of generous, loving people grows with the population.
Let’s spread the news. Kindness, love, caring, giving, happen each and every day, everywhere. There is hope. We are on the road to a world full of caring and love. Through the internet, as we talk to one another, in so many ways, WE CAN spread this good news.
Miracles happen every day in little acts of kindness. A friend or family member tells his story and receives a much-needed hug. A motorist drops a coin into a cup for a man on a street corner. A committed young person carries a sign in support of gay rights. A soldier in a strange country stops to help a child. Goodness abounds.
May we all open our eyes and see. May we all tell the stories. There are lights of love, generosity and kindness glowing everywhere. Spread the Good News.
THERE IS HOPE! YES!!!
Today’s Faith by Rev. Janet Stobie