Canada

Canada-One day, I was thinking what a blessing it is to live in a country
like Canada. Unfortunately, too often, we take it for granted. I know that I
do. This blog, then, is primarily just to express my appreciation for the
truly wonderful country that God has given us.

First, I am very thankful for the freedoms that we have in this country.
Never having lived in any other country but Canada, I know I can't really
understand what it must be like to live in a country that doesn't have the
freedoms that we, as Canadians, take for granted. What must it be like to to
live where you have to be so careful what you say for fear of being
arrested? Or not to be able to openly go to church to praise God?

I thank God that Canada is a peaceful country. Again, I have no concept of
what it would be like to live in a place that is at war and constantly being
bombed. When I was a small child, I remember my parents talking about WW II.
No doubt, they had certain privations to endure but it still wouldn't be the
same as actually living in a place under attack or occupied by the enemy.
But I am also thankful not to live in an aggressive nation that gets
involved in a lot of conflicts. With the high-powered equipment that they now
have for war, it is scary that young men from any country have to be
thrown into combat.

Canada is a prosperous nation. That is for sure. Unfortunately, I think
that, too often, we get caught up in comparing ourselves to other Canadians
who have more than we do and forget the many people in poorer countries who
have a whole lot less. We have an abundance of and a large variety of foods.
Contrast this with people who eat rice, rice and more rice. Still, too
often, nothing satisfies us . Too often, I find myself complaining about the
hospital food. Then I have to remind myself that there are lots of people in
this world who would think they had died and gone to heaven if they ever had
food like I get. Same with clothing and shelter. By Canadian standards, it
may not be the best. But, in the eyes of so many people in this world, we
are incredibly wealthy.

On a personal note, I am thankful for our health care system. Of course it
has flaws but, I sometimes think, if I had been born in a less developed
country, there is a good chance that I would not have even survived the
stroke.

I am glad to live in a country that supports Israel. I have read the Bible
enough to know that God is on the side of Israel. I figure that it is like
this. If God backs Israel and Canada backs Israel, doesn't it mean that God
backs Canada as well? Just a thought. Anyway, hopefully, Canada continues to
support Israel until Jesus returns!

In conclusion, I have no idea how God choses who will live where. I am just
awfully glad that He chose to put me in Canada!