Clean the Earth

Everyone wants to live in a peaceful, orderly and clean community.  Who doesn’t?

I live in an inner street named “Danube Lane” that turns pinkish during spring as cherry blossoms bloom.  For years, we’ve not heard of reports on crimes as people of different ethnicities live in harmony with one another.  There is just one tricky issue – tidiness.

Generally the road is clean; but there are a few areas that are noticeable unkempt.  Every Wednesday, the rubbish and recycling trucks collect the organic and non-organic wastes and as they leave, a few unwanted items are left at the roadside.

Enter our little family program, “Clean the Earth”.  During Thursday or Friday, my grandchildren (aged 2 and 7) join me as we pick up litters and place these in plastic containers.  Our usual harvest includes fuzzy drink cans; beer bottles; advert papers; and other sundries.  We place these as part of our home rubbish that are collected on Wednesdays. On days that I announce that we are going to “clean the earth”, Emjey, the younger grandchild, would speedily wear her boots, put on her jacket and ask for gloves. The exercise has become more of a fun activity than a task.

Usually, we show our love for the earth when we participate in ‘Clean Up” drives or Tree-Planting excursions.  One time we pursued a clean-up drive in one of the beautiful beaches in Auckland where we collected so few rubbish, as the area had no residents.  That experience made me think about doing something in my neighborhood where many people lived, and where trash at times are left uncollected until the arrival of the garbage collectors.  The result: the little program, “Clean the Earth”.

Danube Lane is clean most often.  I’d like to think of the place as my Garden of Eden that I work on and keep. “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” (Genesis 2:15) 

Unexpected

It is always best to plan out things in advance to ascertain better outcome.  But then there are times that our plans are not realized; as the unexpected happens.

Two servant leaders of TawagAwit and their spouses had been gifted by God with children as they had prayed for.  But the Lord had more to give. 

Bro Peter and Sis Jamelle had two little girls as they had planned, and they thought that was enough. 

Bro Cyril and Sis Rose had longed for a child for years and God answered their prayer with the birth of a baby girl. Thankful for the child, they not only showered her with love, but also offered their services to the Lord in two ministries, TawagAwit and Couples for Christ.

Then the unexpected happened.  Sis Jamelle and Sis Rose became pregnant. Both were overwhelmed with joy. And the fathers? They were ecstatic when their newborns turned out to be boys!

Zachary could not believe that his wife, Elizabeth who was beyond child-bearing age, could conceive of a child who would become John the Baptist.   Doubting God’s plan, Zachary was struck dumb.

While we may think we have the best plan; we must surrender to God’s plan that is better than our best. “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” (Proverbs 19:21)

When I met both Bro Peter and Bro Cyril during the christening celebration, I could feel the immense happiness in their spirits for they had accepted God’s plan. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11) (Bro Mel B Libre)

Long Distance

It is incredible how people make sacrifices to be present in special occasions, if not see important persons. One of the activities that Pope Francis attended in the United States during his visit in September was the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia.

The Walker family from Argentina travelled 11,000 miles in their Volkswagen camper van, passing through 13 countries in 194 days reaching Philadelphia in time for the special event for families.  Little did they know that the Pope had learned of their journey and wanted to meet them. 

When they met, the Holy Father asked them, “Are you the family who travelled from Buenos Aires? You’re crazy,” then laughed.   When told by the family that they really wanted to greet him, he responded, “(W)hen I found out that you were here I said I wanted to meet you, I was following (your travels). It’s great we got to meet each other!”

The Pontiff was then overheard saying in Italian, “This is really important: a young family who had the courage to take off in a camper van and live life with joy comes out to meet other families.”

In many instances during the ministry of Jesus Christ, people traveled long distances to hear his words or to seek healing.  And Christ, like a shepherd to his lambs, responded with Godly teachings and wondrous miracles. “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” (Isaiah 40:11)

Yet we must realize that we need not travel thousands of miles to find refuge in God. There was this sickly woman who longed for healing in Medjugorje; but could not afford the trip. She sought the intercession of Mary; and to her amazement, she was healed.

God is omnipresent; he knows our needs; and if we have the courage and humility to seek him, he responds with his power and goodness. What God measures is not the distance of travel in seeking him, rather it is the depth of our faith in him. “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3) (Bro Mel B Libre)