Stewardship Sunday

God has a dream!

 

The Stewardship Sunday sermon started with ‘God has a dream for all creation’ and we are stewards of our specific part in the Creator's dream.

Where do I go to find out what my part is?

What are the clues, signs that have been left for me to know my place in God's dream?

What exactly am I steward of – my life?

My first clue came from the Disney movie Frozen.  Disney movies do not normally come to mind when I am struggling with a spiritual matters, nonetheless, Elsa the princess and then Queen of Arendelle is where I found my first clue. 

 

Click here for Frozen Official Website Disney Movie

Elsa was born with many talents one of which scared both her and her parents.   So unusual was her talent that they conspired to keep it a secret.  The price of hiding her talent was that she shut herself off from friends and family.

When her talent could no longer be hidden it burst from her and caused great harm.  Only when Elsa was confronted with the power of selfless and sacrificing love did she understand the true nature of her talent - she experienced herself through love rather than fear. 

At one point in my life some 31 years ago, the dream that I had for my future was taken away very violently and abruptly.  I was angry, frightened and at a loss as to what I should do next. 

I hate platitudes, yet in this case it was true – as one door closed another door presented itself.  This door lead to two years of voluntary service through Mennonite Central Committee.  I walked through this door because at the time it seemed easier then struggling to rebuild what was lost.

In reality I found myself within God’s dream.  I was not generating an income, I was not building a career, I was the closest I have ever been to my creator.  All I had to work with was my skills and talents and the resources that God through others provided me. 

Do we have to lose everything to be part of God's dream –no I don’t think so, however the more we have the harder it is – the eye of needle. 

My talents, skills and resources show me my place in God's dream.  At 57 I am now challenged to take stock of my life and like Elsa find the talent, skill, resource that I have attempted to hide - that I have withheld from God and from those I love.

The question is what I am not prepared to lose - what am I hoarding?  By concealing these, what has been the impact on me, family, neighbours and especially on God's dream?

I believe I need to be mindful that all I am and have is needed for God's dream to be realized.   On this stewardship Sunday I have come to understand stewardship not just in terms of what I put in the offering plate, I am also a steward of my life – the talent, skills and resources that I have cultivated and accumulated.

As a grandparent this life lesson has come just in time for me to gently and tenaciously influence my children and grandchildren to be mindful of how they spend their time and talents – to build a family culture of personal stewardship and social justice.

Grandma Snyder

©2013-2014 twosnydergirls

Good Food Box

January’s Good Food Box

It is that time of the month again, the Good Food Box has arrived.  This is our 5^th Good Food Box, supporting our local Public Health in bringing fresh fruits and vegetables to families at an affordable price:

• December 20, 2013 we explored Foodlink Grey Bruce
• November 16, 2013 Sweet Potatoes Fact
• October 19, 2013 Pumpkin Fact
• September 24, 2013 Kale Potatoe Soup

This month the Good Food Box came with nutritional facts about Carrots and two great recipes

Source

Honey Roasted Carrots

Ingredients (4 servings)

8 medium carrots

3 tbsp. olive oil

¼ cup honey

Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions:

Clean your carrots and cut off the stem end

Preheat the oven to 350 F

Line a baking dish with foil.  Place the whole carrots into the baking dish and drizzle with olive oil.  Mix until carrots are completely covered with olive oil.

Pour on the honey, then season to taste with salt and pepper.  Mix until evenly coated.

Bake in preheated oven until just tender, or cooked to your desired degree of doneness, 40 minutes to 1 hour.

Source

Balsamic Glazed Carrots

Ingredients (4 servings)

6 medium carrots

1 tbsp. olive oil

1 ½ tbsp. balsamic vinegar

1 tbsp. brown sugar

Directions:

Wash and scrub carrots clean, then cut in to slices about ¼ inch in thickness

Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat.

Sauté carrots in oil until tender

Stir in balsamic vinegar and brown sugar, mix to coat and serve.

Enjoy

Grandma Snyder

©2013-2014 twosnydergirls

Thyroid Disease Awareness Month

 Muriel's Story

 

In January of 2007 I was diagnosed as having thyroid cancer and had my thyroid removed in March of 2007.  I also had radioactive iodine therapy for good measure as well.  I remember the nurse advising me about the side effects from the radioactive iodine which can cause drooling to occur if the iodine remains in the Saliva Glands.  I immediately asked her to wait just a minute as I hurried outside to where my husband was waiting.  I informed him that I might just drool after this treatment.   My husband is a great guy, he smiled and said - it's okay, I would love you anyway - hence I continued with the procedure.  Looking back, I realized I would have done so anyway because I had two children anxiously waiting for me at home.

In my case, it took four years to get this Cancer diagnosis which allowed time for the cancer to grow and spread. I remember attending physiotherapy sessions and being told to stand up straighter against the wall because my severe neck and head pain was thought to be caused from poor posture.   

When my thyroid was removed, I commenced the journey of finding the correct dose of medication that would eliminate my constant fatigued state.  I was also prescribed steroids which resulted in an immediate 35 pound weight gain.  

In January of 2007, I was still very ill.  A scan revealed that some of the cancer still remained and had spread towards my larynx.  I remember the Specialist in London advising me that my Larynx might have to be removed.  I was in shock and asked him if I would still be able to sing?  He replied, "Not like you used to" and he realized that I didn't quite understand the ramifications of one losing their larynx. 

I left the hospital and remained determined that my cup of life was still going to be half full.  I pulled off the road and called the music store in Owen Sound.  I explained my problem and the fact that I might be speech impaired and how important it was for me to make a recording so that my children could still hear me sing. 

I made the recording, commenced more treatment and I am happy to report that I only have to go to London for further follow-up once a year.

I am a Thyroid Cancer Survivor.  I will add that I now travel more, it reinforced the fact that life can change in one half- a moment, I wear my passion and I am grateful to my co-workers, husband and girls for seeing me through this journey.  

Life is grand.

 2015 Update Muriel is once again finds her fighting thyroid cancer and she remain positive and focused on living her life with optimism and joy. 

Muriel posted her story in the comments sections of January 14, 2014 blog post on Thyroid Disease.  She graciously agree to allow me to share it more widely.

Thyroid Foundation of Canada

and

American Thyroid Association

Grandma Snyder

©2013-2015 twosnydergirls