Message of the Day from Rev. Mary White
Good Day and Blessings.
It seems to me that young people having been raised with social media/internet lack the concept of privacy. This is in comparison to those of us raised without the benefit of cell phones and computers.
If you want to know about someone, just go onto their Facebook or Instagram account. There seems to be no holding back about their life information that can go worldwide instantly.
Compare this to neighbours having coffee to compare notes about those who missed the morning event. Or my grandmother and her sister parked on Main Street every Friday evening to watch and gossip about people passing by. And there is the concept that we should never talk about family matters outside the family.
And let’s not forget about “Alexa” that little electronic device that hears and responds to almost everything said within the home. At one point, the only electronic device that one could listen in on to get information was the telephone party line.
We do not own an “Alexa” but the other day, while Grant and I were having a discussion, my ipad said ‘I’m sorry, I did not understand that.”
Yes, some information being shared can put us in dangerous situations. We can be easily taken advantage of or hurt in some way.
But, in many respects, I do believe that sharing information is very important. There are many positive results from being able to communicate instantaneously. Changes concerning racism are happening worldwide as this newsletter is being shared.
Ever since the beginning of my memory, I have had a sense that there is with me a presence. Like Psalm 139, I feel known and somehow protected by the Spirit. And like those young people sharing their information with complete strangers, being known has never really concerned me. In many ways, it is comforting to be known so well and still be loved and accepted.
Rev. Mary
PSALM 139:7-12 (NIV)
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
Gracious Creator • Prayer of the Day
You have gifted us with a desire to be socially connected in relationships. We tend to favour those who are familiar to us. Sometimes we forget that through love, we are called to be accepting of others whether they are known to us or not. Help us, even during these times of physical isolation, to be compassionate, and full of loving-kindness toward others. Support us in bringing to mind that we can connect more lovingly with a smile.
We pray this in the name of the One who welcomed all with Love.
Amen