Firetrucks
Darrell Belrose of Port Elgin, Ontario, Canada
The Lord is exalted, he dwells on high; he filled Zion with justice and righteousness; he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure. -Isaiah 33:5-6
Gord Currie was always a welcome sight to all who knew him. He was always busy, helping wherever he could, running here and there. Gord loved the children, and they were drawn to him. He always had a smile and time to stop and say, “Howdy!” I would periodically take Gord with me on some of my speaking engagements, initially for company. But very quickly I realized that he was always willing to share a testimony, read a poem he wrote, sing a solo, or set up my AV equipment and take it down without being asked. When we had potlucks in the home congregation or “on the road,” Gord frequently volunteered to be in charge of the dishwashing. In his own humble way he touched more lives than he could ever have imagined.
Each time he saw or heard a firetruck, he’d point it out to me to remind me how proud he was of his dad who was a fireman. In one of his impromptu testimonies, he shared the most powerful testimony I have ever heard. He took a large geode and allowed the congregation to witness its gnarly surface and ugly, plain appearance. Gordie cracked open the rock exposing its interior and spoke of the inner beauty within all of God’s creation, full of radiance and sparkle. God’s beauty and radiance is always with us but may be hidden due to life’s circumstances. We sometimes have to listen deeply and develop friendships. Then the rough exteriors become internal images of beauty. Gordie encouraged the congregation to always look to the inner beauty of all people and find the potential that resides in all and not to be fooled by the outward appearances. My heart soared with admiration that such a humble child of God could come up with such an amazing testimony of God’s love for humankind.
Gord passed away several years ago, and I am forever appreciative of Gordie’s witness to me that life doesn’t have to be complicated. All we need to do is to reach out and listen to those hidden stories that reside all around us.
Prayer Phrase
I am about to do a new thing, now it springs forth… (Isaiah 43:19).
Spiritual Practice
A New Thing
Breathe deeply and listen within. Where is the Spirit doing a new thing in you? How do you feel about the new thing that might be emerging? Are you excited, resistant, fearful, hopeful? Take whatever you are experiencing to prayer. Breathe deeply and listen around you. Where is the Spirit doing a new thing in your community? Pay attention to how it feels to discern the Spirit’s activity and presence within and around you.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
