"Everything is Plastic"

   My mother tells a story about me as a young child visiting my aunt's house. On one of the tables was an appealing fruit basket. I took one of the apples and attempted to bite into it, only to be told it was "plastic." Some time later, I allegedly composed an original song with the repeated line, "Everything is plastic." My childish brain could not comprehend what benefit there was in setting out fruit that did not nourish.

   This week I was visiting somewhere else and came upon this tray of plastic fruit on a counter. I was not deceived this time.

   Plastic fruit is a fitting metaphor when so many of the things that surround us are not real. The voice on the other end of the telephone is not always a real person, but a recording or sounds generated by a computer.  The so-called candid photos on our social media feeds are curated and embellished. Computers having what seem like life-like conversations with people was tested out as early as the 1960's [1], and many chatbots appear on websites to "help" us. We have an obsession with the virtual world and its technology, but it does not nourish us. Loneliness has recently been called an epidemic, and a social worker named Jake Ernst "blames technology and social deterioration for this trend" [2].

   Discerning what's real and what's plastic/fake or at best a representation of reality is not just a problem that started with personal computers or smartphones. Projecting an image of ourselves that is better than reality has been a temptation humans have struggled with from the beginning. Societies do the same, rewriting history to cover up the unpleasant parts and to kindle greater loyalty. 

  So, how to we wade through the media and the messages to arrive at anything resembling reality?French mathematician René DesCartes in the 1600's proposed doubting everything. He then rebuilt a system of reality based on his own senses and rationality: "I think, therefore I am." Maybe I'm not the only one that finds this human-centred, individualistic approach less than satisfactory.

  I offer a few ideas that have helped me.

• Whenever possible, connect with people face to face. Real people are not just voices, faces, or the words they generate. Real people are embodied, complex beings with emotions and histories. We're able to take in more of this complexity when we meet in person. We're also more able to take in this complexity when we listen at least as much as we speak.

• Interact with the real, created world whenever possible. Yes, Alexa or Google can tell you what the weather is like, but stepping outside and experiencing it is more real than their descriptions. Looking at photographs of birds and butterflies can be enriching, but looking out your window or walking in your neighbourhood and focusing your eyes on 3-dimensional wonders will nourish you in a deeper way. Allowing children to watch someone else play Minecraft or to play Minecraft themselves may have a place, but building with tangible objects like blocks or LEGO widens their sensory inputs and horizons.

• Remind yourself that everything presented to you comes from a limited perspective. It can never give you the complete picture because reality is so complex. Pay attention to the bias of the source. Sometimes, it helps to look behind the bias to see if there is something to be gained for the source by including particular details or ignoring or downplaying others.

• As a person of faith, I'm finding it increasingly crucial to be humble and to admit when I'm not sure or don't know enough to be an authority on topics outside my expertise. Even when I might be considered an expert by being an eye-witness of an event or situation, I can't claim to be the only authority. I need to admit that others have experienced it differently. If we disagree about some aspect, I need to give others the benefit of the doubt, unless there's evidence of malice.

My simple musical composition "Everything is plastic," was a reaction to being tricked by fake fruit. Some things are indeed plastic imitations of a real thing, so I keep seeking to better understand the complexity of reality in the light of God's grace.

   [1] Between 1964 and 1967, Joseph Weizenbaum developed ELIZA. It was a computer program that could carry on a seemingly natural conversation with a therapy client, who typed in thoughts and responses to its prompts.

   [2]Global News article about increasing loneliness consulted social worker Jake Ernst among others.

Solid and Dynamic Faith

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." 

Colossians 2:6-7, New International Version

We are given some word pictures by the Apostle Paul that show us that our life of faith is both solid and dynamic [1].

Photo by Bruce Kee on Unsplash

We’ll start with the solid pieces. Paul says, “Continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught.” This first image talks about plant life. As we know, roots provide stability to a tree or plant so that it can remain intact when winds and storms come. When we are rooted in Christ, we have a solid base and receive our nourishment from him rather than other sources.

And Christ also builds us up. Christ is the sure foundation of our lives, much stronger than reinforced concrete, steel or titanium. We can fully trust Christ in every situation, and he will never leave or forsake us.

Then two other word pictures indicate that unlike a tree or a building, we are not meant to stand still. They are dynamic images. The encouragement to “continue to live your lives in him” contains a reference to walking in the Greek. The New King James Version translates this phrase as “walk in Him.” 

Photo by Soroush Karimi on Unsplash

British theologian N.T. Wright comments that we need to move forward in this life with Christ. He says, “Being a Christian is like riding a bicycle; unless you go forward, you’ll fall off. And going forward as a Christian means, once more, nothing more nor less than going forward ‘in Christ,’ in the king” [2].

Finally, Paul adds, “and overflowing with thankfulness.” When something overflows, there’s movement and action. The storyline of Christ is enough to satisfy us, and we don’t seek anything in addition to Him. Our response is gratitude, which flows into good works and kind deeds. 

For further reflections on gratitude, you may enjoy the following posts:

Gratitude: Weakness or Strength

Easy Go, Easy Come

Give or Receive, Part 1

[1] Brian Walsh and Sylvia Keesmaat (2004) Colossians Remixed, page 135 says, "Paul frames metaphors of solidity and stability (rooted, built, established) with metaphors of growth and dynamic change."

[2] N. T. Wright (2002) Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters, p. 164.

Year End Book Reviews 2024

This year I met my goal of reading 60 books, just in time! Sometimes people ask me for top recommendations, so I've decided to organize short reviews for different categories.

Best Re-read

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, audiobook (1843; 2012)

This classic story of transformation from a heart of granite to a heart of kindness happens through showing Ebenezer Scrooge scenes from his past, present and future. Reflection about the trajectory of his life leads him to insight and renewed gratitude. The audiobook version read by Ralph Cosham brings the reader into the authentic world of the story.

Best Children's Book

Fred & Marjorie: A Doctor, A Dog and the Discovery of Insulin by Deborah Kerbel and illustrated by Angela Poon (2021)

This graphic novel for children tells about the relationship between Dr. Frederick Banting and the dog that was instrumental in the discovery of life saving treatment for those with diabetes. I am partial to the story of Frederick Banting partly because my hometown in Ontario, Canada was his birthplace and partly because of his perseverance on behalf of children and adults languishing due to an incurable condition. Pages at the back contain biographical details, photos, and a discussion of the use of animals in research.

Best Theology Book

Telling Stories in the Dark: Finding healing and hope in sharing our sadness, grief, trauma and pain by Jeff Munroe (2024).

The format of this book is unlike any I've previously read. Its uniqueness is in the story telling followed by caring analysis by a trained counselor or empathic soul. The narration is intimate because the author personally knows the people whose stories he relates. A weighty book that provides validation for the reader's own losses as well as assurance that pain can indeed be stewarded.

Best Novel

Children of My Heart by Gabrielle Roy (1977)

This novel is a series of vignettes told by a teacher at rural schools on the Canadian prairies during the days of the Great Depression. In this book, immigrants and their children are presented with dignity and respect. Furthermore, the author shows her vulnerability by including mistakes she made in her relationships with students and their parents.

Best "Window Book"

Opening the Road: Victor Hugo Green and his Green Book by Keila V. Dawson and illustrated by Alleanna Harris (2021)

First, I should explain what I mean by a "window book." Educator Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop used this expression to talk about a book that gives the reader insight into a world outside of the reader's personal experience. This often means that the book will include characters from a nationality or ethnicity different than that of the reader.

This is an informative and colorful book for children and older readers, too. It tells about a clever mailman who used his connections to make travel safer for African American families. His Green Book was a director of businesses and hotels that would welcome Black guests during the era of segregation. A fun feature is the road-shaped timeline at the back of the book.

Inspired Word for 2025: Ubuntu

It has been eight years since I've formally chosen a word to act as a guide for the upcoming year. For 2025, I've chosen a word that does not have an exact English equivalent. This word UBUNTU originates from South Africa, specifically the Nguni and Bantu languages. Statesman Nelson Mandela and Clergyman Desmond Tutu helped spread this word into more common speech.

Simply said, Ubuntu is defined as "I am because of who we all are" [1]. It's an acknowledgement of the reality that a human being is one in relationship with others. We are born into families and communities, and they are part of defining us. As a British poet has said, "No man is an island." When people become isolated or lonely, they lose some of their humanity. We see them become more suspicious, more bitter and less able to have simple, respectful conversations.

I've been thinking about ubuntu in an era of polarization.

I've been thinking about ubuntu when I see more signs posted in retail and service industry spaces letting people know that abusive and harassing language and behavior will not be tolerated. Apparently, customers and clients are letting loose with verbal volleys.

I've been thinking about ubuntu because of what American physician Sheryl Heron has written about social determinants of health [2]. She says that every individual needs three things and five communities to thrive and experience physical and mental wellbeing. She says the three things are something meaningful to do, someone to love, and something to look forward to. Furthermore, the five stable communities needed include one's family of origin, one's work or volunteer community, one's neighborhood, one's faith community, and one's current family or household.

And yet we see social ties eroding on every front .There are people we don't or won't talk to anymore. We perceive others as hostile if they are not "like us."

I've been thinking about ubuntu because it is compatible with the second great commandment that Jesus highlighted. Answering the call to self-giving love will help build and rebuild community and relationships.

During my year of ubuntu, I will endeavor to be more intentional about fostering community and respect with the people I encounter, day after day. And I'm not waiting until January 1st.

------------

[1] This definition is given on the website of an open source software initiative of the same name: https://ubuntu.com/about

[2] To read her full article, see https://harvardmacy.org/blog/the-heron-8

[3] Photo by Shane Rounce on Unsplash

Not a Waste: The Short Life of Joseph Merrick

 In 2014-2015, I wrote a series of nine posts about ten individuals who had short life spans but who ought to be remembered for more than the fact that they died young. Each life has a purpose, and with that, I will bring another person to our remembrance. Joseph Carey Merrick lived 27 years, from 1862 to 1890, in Europe.

We have much to learn from the life of Joseph Merrick, though you may never have heard his name. He is better known for an epithet that compared him to an animal, but I will not mention it in this short biography [1]. Joseph had a physical disability that manifested during his days as a five year old boy; it changed the appearance of his skin and affected the structure of his bones, breathing and speech. After his mother died, none of his relatives was invested in his well being. As a result, Joseph ended up in a workhouse. Later, people exploited him and placed him on exhibit at carnivals in Europe. He was mistreated by his handlers to the point that Joseph lost self-esteem and his health became severely compromised. He thought this degraded life was all he could hope for.

According to the records left by Dr. Frederick Treves, Joseph began to receive treatment at the London Hospital in 1886. At this time, by talking with Joseph, the doctor discovered that he could speak and read. Furthermore, he could recite Psalm 23 from memory, having read it from the Book of Common Prayer. He was polite and loved to learn. A remarkable part of Joseph's story is that his mother (who gave him the middle name Carey after the pioneering missionary to India named William Carey) gave him a foundation of faith and taught him to love Jesus. Joseph continued to practice his faith once he was out of the clutches of hawkers.

After years of misery experienced by Joseph due to the cruelty of humans, some people of goodwill ensured that his remaining years would be comfortable. They also made it possible for Joseph to have a safe apartment within the hospital, to experience social interactions and outings, and to have opportunities for craftsmanship (basket weaving and making paper models of buildings). 

Joseph Merrick was created in the image of God, but those who only looked on the outward appearence made him out to be a monster. The Victorian era is associated with church going and traditional beliefs, but examples of the dehumanization of people who did not fit the categories of "normal" span the British Empire. Such "others" were given degrading names and were treated as subhuman. 

Learning of the story of Joseph Merrick has led to my own soul searching. I leave you with this question: How do we (people who say we love Jesus) still dehumanize certain individuals and groups of people today because we don't take the time to talk to them or understand them? 

[1] Through a simple internet search, you can find the name of a film about Joseph Merrick's experiences and the book by Frederick Treves, on which it was based.

Little Prayer for Unity

Merciful Father in Heaven, when it can be so easy to let words, issues and misunderstandings divide us, help us to remember that we are all people trying to live out your calling on our lives. Let us be gentle with each other.

Jesus, you prayed for us in the garden, asking that all believers may be brought to complete unity, to let the world know that you were sent by the Father and that we are loved with an everlasting love.

Holy Spirit, fill us with love, patience and kindness, that we may reflect your glory as we were designed to do in the beginning.

Amen

Finding Kinship in Unexpected Places

I am an admitted introvert. There's a stereotype that many of those who blog are not the most social people around. But introverts do like people, if not crowds of people at once. As a child, I could not believe my father's ability to make conversation with strangers in elevators and sometimes find an unexpected connection.

I've been reflecting on some of the times that this has happened to me, in spite of my reserved nature. Yes, in our current society where people are zooming around in cars and wearing earbuds while walking in the neighbourhood, it's harder to make a connection. We may also need to overcome cultural hurdles as our towns and cities become more ethnically diverse. In such situations, even a head nod or a smile or a simple greeting can remind ourselves and others that strangers are human just like us. I share these brief anecdotes to spur you on to seizing the moments to connect with people you don't know. You might just find kinship in an unexpected place.

Teacher's College

After more than a decade of attending schools where everyone came from a family that believed the same basic tenets of Christianity, I went to a university far from home to begin my teacher training. I sat in classes with others who wanted to make a difference with young people, and we explored different pedagogies and discussed topics in groups.

I noticed for the first month that not one of my cohort of about 25 budding educators said one word about church, God or faith. In a rare moment of boldness, I made low-key mention of attending church on the weekend. Suddenly, I found out that a significant contingent of my class had a church affliliation. One classmate decided to organize a time when anyone interested could visit the parish he attended in the town of Callender. Three of us were given the honor of carrying what were called "the gifts" to the front table.

At a Longhouse

After I had children, our family took a trip to a reconstructed Indigenous village and were been guided by an Indigenous woman through a longhouse. One of my younger children, age 4 or 5, in a moment of silence blurted out a spontaneous word of praise, "I really do love Jesus." I was taken aback when the guide responded in kind. Despite all that her people had suffered at the hands of those who bore this name, she said, "So do I."

Letters from Prison

About twelve years ago, I joined a ministry that writes letters of encouragement to inmates across Canada. As I receive Bible studies from women and men, I'm able to make small connections to each one of them. Things that gave us kinship were sometimes geographical, where I had previously travelled to that province or was familiar with something historical to that place. Other times, we were drawn together by the fact that we were both parents and had concerns about our children and caring for them well. For still others, the common human experiences of rejection, disappointment, loneliness and desire for hope and forgiveness, made it possible to write heart-felt letters to precious individuals I had never met.

Engineering

Freelance copyediting dropped into my lap many years ago when a friend asked me to read an engineering paper for a friend, who was not a native English speaker. Happy to help out, I gave feedback about the grammar and sentence structure, even when I had no grasp of the academic content. One thing led to another, and I helped a number of engineering students in my city with the form and style of their Master's and PhD theses.

One of these students went on to start a business, and he consulted with me to check over press releases or web content from time to time. After returning some material to him in the springtime, I dared to add a personal connection in my email by tentatively saying, "If you celebrate Easter, I hope you have a blessed weekend. If not, I hope you enjoy extra time off with your family."

To my surprise, he replied that he did celebrate Easter. A year or two later, he asked me to collaborate on two faith-based writing projects on behalf of his friend, a Lebanese-born Maronite priest living in France.

Nurse

My mother lives in a retirement home, which provides a level of nursing oversight for its residents. A few months ago, one of the nurses had a conversation with her, during which it came up that my mom is a follower of Jesus. This nurse, born in Ghana, explained that he also shared this faith. In fact, he now often reads some Scripture or prays with my mother while checking on her or after taking her blood pressure.

Church Guest

I'm as guilty as most in that I gravitate to those I already know before and after a church service. One Sunday recently, though, I went up to a guest and introduced myself. In our short but meaningful conversation, we had a geographical connection because I had attended a conference in the town where he lives. Then, we discovered that we each either translate or edit sermons for Korean speakers in North America. Finally, he was related to someone who would be working with me in the fall.

Front Yard Concert

In our city, one Saturday in June has been set aside for one-hour outdoor concerts. These concerts are organized and financed by the city, but homeowners are invited to offer a power source and space on their porch or front lawn or driveway for the musicians and spectators. 

This year we offered our driveway, and for that hour we had dozens of guests stop by to listen and to enjoy a frozen treat. The vehicle of live music was a way to bring together people of different ages and walks of life. One neighbor commented, "We should do this every month!" because it created a sense of belonging for all those who attended.

I encourage you to look beyond the external things that make someone you meet "different" in your eyes. Humans have become experts in putting each other into categories and groups, taking just split seconds to determine if someone should be classified with "us" or with "them." However, human kinship is real. Seek it, and you will find it, even in unexpected places.