We human beings naturally make judgements at a human level and forget that we were brought into existence by a supreme being’ who is not bound by human restrictions.
I have lost count of the number of the blessings I have received but for which I had no say in – I believe it was God’s providence at work.
I like to note when this happens to other people.
A poor Scottish farmer called Fleming heard cries for help from a nearby bog.
He rushed over and was able to save a terrified boy from a horrible death.
Next day an elegantly dressed nobleman got out of his carriage and offered to reward the farmer.
The farmer refused but at that moment his own son came up so the nobleman insisted that he pay for a good education for the boy.
Thus Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of penicillin, was educated.
Years later the nobleman’s son was stricken with pneumonia and his life was saved by penicillin – the son’s name was Sir Winston Churchill.
When we fulfil our part in God’s ongoing creation, we never know where the good will end, but God knows.
Marist Brother Terry Kane was a missionary in Papua New Guinea and provided education for indigenous children.
When cancer forced him back to Australia he came for treatment at the Mater Hospital in Brisbane and stayed with us in the Ashgrove community.
A PNG boy, Olaska Nunbon, was found to have cancer in his eyes.
Rotary and Catholic Missions united to cover treatment at the Mater in Brisbane.
His grandmother accompanied him but as neither spoke English it was a daunting challenge for everybody.
In desperation, the hospital staff contacted Br Terry who was only too happy to come and talk to Olaska in Pidgin English – they became close friends.
Once when Br Terry was not at the hospital, the doctors needed information and asked Terry to phone in.
Olaska had never seen a phone and visitors in the room said it was a delight to see him trying to work out what was going on.
He recognised the voice but could not find Terry, he looked up at the ceiling and under the bed, even searching behind the door and lifting the phone–all the time with a big, embarrassed grin showing rows of white teeth.
However Terry was able to get the information and allow the doctors to proceed.
The doctors were able to save one eye and Olaska is now back is his village in PNG, no doubt entertaining his mates with descriptions of the marvels he saw and the wonderful people who helped him.
Sad to say, Br Terry died not long after.
We all have a responsibility in God’s creation, we were created at the level of daughters and sons and not only is this a great honour, but it brings with it duties and responsibilities which give purpose to our lives.
How foolish it would be for us who only know the material world, whose intelligence is clouded and ignorant of the spirit world to ignore a God who has no limits and who is infinite.
That sort of thinking belongs to a comedy act. Thank heavens our God is a God of unconditional love.
We should put our trust in God and live out the ‘Good News’ way of life that Jesus bequeathed.
“God is love and those who live in love live in union with God and God lives in union with them.” (1John 4:16)
