Precious in my sight

Joyce Sasse

Joyce Sasse, Spiritual Gleanings - “Don’t be afraid” was the song of the Angels, according to the Biblical Story, sung at the time of Christ’s birth … a time when the Great God Almighty was seen to identify most closely with humankind.

At the beginning of Lent we remind ourselves of this basic understanding, especially in the face of those who preach about mortal sin and hellfire.

Ladies who serve

Joyce Sasse - If the book “Matrons and Madams” was being discussed by a group of Lethbridgites, I would like to ask where facts fade and fiction takes over? While the publisher of Sharon Johnston’s book states all characters in this story are fictitious, anyone familiar with Lethbridge, Alberta will find many familiar landmarks. And any reader of journalist James Gray’s “Red Lights on the Prairie” will see part of the history of the city at the time of World War I come to life. Also, Mrs. Johnston indicates in a post-script that her Grandmother actually did serve as Matron of the Galt Hospital in the time between the end of the Great War and the onset of the Great Depression.

Treasured recipes

Joyce Sasse, Spiritual Gleanings

It might be quickest to “Google” a recipe, but no screen-display carries the meaning we find in a recipe card marked “Aunt Clara’s Cocktail Crisps”.

That card brings with it special memories of the proud farmer and grandmother who expressed her best self through the food she served. I recall, having given a 5-year-old great granddaughter a blank paged “recipe book”, watching the younger pretend she was writing Granny’s recipe down while Granny was doing the baking. First class mentoring.

Re-setting relationships

Joyce Sasse, Spiritual Gleanings

While we were talking about how Canada’s Commission on Truth and Reconciliation touches us, our Zimbabwean minister related a story from South Africa.

At the “end” of apartheid, all South African citizens were invited to make confession of their involvement in racist activities.

One man, who worked for the Secret Service, killed another man because he was an activist. But it was actually because of the colour of the victim’s skin.