Dear Friends,    

"Hope has two beautiful daughters: their names are anger and courage. Anger that things are the way they are. Courage to make them the way they ought to be."

--- St Augustine.

It’s a thought provoking insight, a frame through which we can view different situations we will face in 2009. As we face various pressures, we draw upon our personal values to inform our response. The pressure could be the economy or a personal relationship.  It could be a health concern or an issue to do with our future.  Whatever the case – Augustine’s insights seem applicable. Are we going to dwell in anger, blaming someone or something for our state of affairs? Or, are we going to use that emotion to fuel our courageousness, as we try to make things “the way they ought to be”?

I was struck by a story in the Vancouver Sun Editorial back in March. A drug crazed homeless man named Darcy, who had been on the streets since dropping out of school in grade 6, attacked and robbed a retired 81-year-old doctor. The attack was videotaped inside the Holy Rosary Cathedral, a downtown church. The victim was a kind gentleman who had often given money to Darcy, a vulnerable individual who was known by many in the congregation because he hung around the building

At this point the doctor and the church had a choice – they could direct their anger at Darcy (and justifiably so!). Prosecuting this chap would be met with great public agreement. The other option (and the one the church members took) was to channel their anger in to a search for understanding and ultimately a constructive way to help this person.  They connected him with a Catholic transition home, Luke 15 House, located in Surrey. By the time of his court appearance, Darcy had been clean for 6 months and was preparing to join the church of the very member he had robbed.

Anger evolved in to courageous choices. The church community stepped up to offer forgiveness and aid to Darcy. But Darcy also had to make a choice to dwell or move forward. Coming from whatever place of pain and dysfunction he resided in, he had the courage to take the opportunity to become healthy and begin the road to “make things as they ought to be.”

It’s a perfect model for us as we face issues in 2009 where we are at a crossroads. Like Holy Rosary Cathedral we may need to choose forgiveness. While like Darcy, many of us may need help to move forward. Whatever our situation is, the important thing is that our anger is not just venting but indignation that propels us to courage. Our frustrations at how things are needs to be a mere stop-over, a motivation point for change.

Scripture reminds us why those who follow Jesus should pick the daughter courageous.

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:5 (NIV)

How are you going to use Hope’s two daughters this year?

Blessings,
                                                                                                                     

Tom

Announcements and Upcoming Events:
If you haven’t seen our new website www.cityinfocus.ca, please stop by where you will find Tom’s new blog. The CIF annual report is also posted for those of you that are interested.
CIF Breakfast 7:30am at the Vancouver Club (915 W Hastings St) February 6th: Yvonne Douma, “I would have given anything to have known” Q&A with Yvonne Douma immediately following the CIF Breakfast on Feb 6th.
Mission Fest – Leadership Luncheon with Tony Campolo on January 30th, 2009 11:45am at the Vancouver Convention Centre
The Vancouver Outreach Lunch – March 6th, 2009 - with guest speaker Esther DeWolde
To RSVP call 604-687-7292 or email events@cityinfocus.ca.