PAGE SIX The Community News, Friday, August 9, 2013
By Rev. Rosemary Godin, Minister, Moorefield-Rothsay United Church
There’s a right and a wrong time to golf Once, there was a preacher who loved to golf. Every chance he could get away, he was on the golf course swinging away. It was an obsession he had. One Sunday, after days and days of rain, the weather turned out to be just perfect for golfing. The sun was out, no clouds were in the sky, and the temperature was just right. The preacher was tempted! After much thought and struggle, eventually the urge to play golf overcame him. He called an assistant to tell him that he was sick and could not possibly be at church that morning. Then he packed the car up,
and drove three hours away to a golf course where no one would recognize him. Happily, he began to play the course. An angel up above was watching the preacher and was quite upset. He went to God and said: “Look at that preacher. He should be punished for what he is doing.” God nodded in agreement. The preacher teed up on the first hole. He swung at the ball, and it sailed effortlessly through the air and landed right in the cup 250 yards away. A picture-perfect holein-one! He was amazed and excited. The angel was a little shocked. He turned to God and said, “I beg your pardon, but I thought you were going to punish him!”
God smiled. “Think about it ... who can he ever tell?” That’s a cute story and very appropriate for this summer when so many people would rather be golfing and playing than working. Do you ever get yourself in a situation like that? The moral of that little story is instantly obvious – it’s never good to lie. We all know that. Studies show that all of us will tell a little fib now and then just to make our day more simple or to spare someone else’s feelings. It doesn’t mean it’s right, but at times it’s done with good intentions. But there are other teachings in the story. The main one I get out of it is a continuation of the promise that the Creator will take care of things in the Creator’s own way.
The preacher has messed up and will suffer for it. He will never ever be able to tell anyone else about his great prowess on the golf course. For if he does, he has to admit that he let his congregation and church down – and most of all, he let God down. So does God hit him with a bolt of lightning? No. God has a great sense of humour. The preacher gets what he wants: the best game of golf he’s ever had in his life or ever will have. But he’s going to have to carry that joy inside until it dissipates quite quickly from the loneliness of never being shared. My faith tells me, however, that one day that preacher will again be in right relationship with God. That’s the way of God’s world. God heals all ills.
With many things in life, we’d all be better off if we just let God take care of it. When we feel hurt; when we are angry and bitter; when we are frustrated and disappointed; when we are confused and uncertain – we have a Great One we can turn all our bad stuff over to who can guide us and strengthen us and ultimately heal us. There’s an energy of goodness in this world that God created. We all live within it and can draw strength from it. We have to trust that within the chaos of a universe that is still expanding, there are threads of order and righteousness that always come to pass. I am not saying that God will punish us when we do wrong. My God is not a pun-
ishing God. Our wrongs take care of their own justice, don’t they? Life’s just like that. Our God will find ways to guide us back to the right path – not with fear, but with love. I know you’ve all heard the following prayer, but it bears repeating to remind us that we are just human and our power to get through the day comes from someone greater than we are: Dear God, So far today I’ve done well....I haven’t gossiped, I haven’t lost my temper, I haven’t been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish or overindulgent. I’m very thankful for that. But in a few minutes, Lord, I’m going to get out of bed, and from then on I’m probably going to need a lot more help from you. Amen
Mapleton Preschool Licenced Childcare Facility Ages 2-5 years
Limited spaces still available for morning preschool classes (Mon-Thu) 35 High Street, Drayton Call the Preschool at 519-638-3331 or contact our registrar Heather Clemmer 519.638.5001 Volunteers needed for fall session
Celebrations k you A Big Than
70-year pin - Dora Smith of Moorefield was presented with a 70-year Golden Star Pin at the Maryborough Terrace on July 31. Smith has been a member of the Eastern Star, Drayton Chapter 38, since 1943 and is the first member in the Drayton Chapter to reach the milestone. Over the years Smith filled many posts within the chapter, including serving as Worthy Matron from 1978 to 1979. A $100 donation was made by the Palmerston Peace Chapter 5 to the Grand Chapter of Ontario in honour of Smith’s service. The Drayton Chapter is currently consolidated with the Palmerston Chapter. Presenting Dora with her pin is Linda Brimblecombe of the Palmerston Peace Chapter. submitted photo
Coaches & Trainers Wanted
to all who sent cards and wished us well on the occasion of our 50th Wedding Anniversary! Jack & Joanne Koetsier
Social
on Saturday, August 24th to celebrate the upcoming marriage of
Rachel Reinders and Josh Eschlboeck Food served from 7-8pm Live Music Tickets: $15/person Call Nicole 519-546-4891 or Joan 519-546-4892 for tickets
Pig Roast
&
to celebrate the upcoming marriage of
Kevin Post Jessie Van Loo August 10, 2013 6pm-1am At Allen & Crystal Huberts
Concession 6, F#8329 RR#3 Moorefield Tickets: $10.00. For tickets/info email acakhuba@hotmail.com Please bring your own lawn chair.
P.M.D Drayton Defenders Minor Hockey Registration for the 2013-2014 season (First time players & new players Please bring a copy of your birth certificate) &
Thursday, August 15, 2013, 7:00pm-9:00pm Saturday, September 7, 2013, 9:00am-Noon P.M.D Arena, Drayton
If you are unable to attend these dates, contact Paul Armstrong at 519-638-2538 or email ptarmstrong@sympatico.ca. TEAM MITES/TYKES NOVICE ATOM PEEWEE BANTAM MIDGET JUVENILE
BORN 2007-2008-2009 2005-2006 2003-2004 2001-2002 1999-2000 1996-1997-1998 1993-1994-1995
REGISTRATION $200 $390 $410 $430 $430 $440 $440
Registration fees can be made in two installments. One at registration and one in Nov. Please bring 2 chq’s at registration. AGM attendance fee. A $20 fee is required at registration. If you attend the Spring AGM, your $20 will be refunded at that time. Power skating is included in the fee for Novice up to Bantam levels.
Also available at registration • Power Skating Information • Player/Parent Handbooks
• Family Season Pass $60.00 (Does not include playoffs)
For more information visit: www.draytonminorhockey.com
On patrol - Auxiliary constable Alida Hesselink, a Mapleton resident, was part of the Wellington County OPP’s mounted patrol at the recent Fergus Truck Show on July 27. photo by Patrick Raftis
Ice time, hall rental rates rise at Mapleton facilities MAPLETON - Rental rates for arena ice time and hall rentals at township facilities will be going up by five per cent for the 2013-14 season. Council passed a bylaw
amendment on July 23 to implement the increases, which were previously approved by resolution in June of 2012. Rates also went up by 5% for the 2012-13 season.
519-638-3418 Adam Cosens
R.R. 2, Moorefield, ON N0G 2K0
Christian Reformed Church Sharing God’s Grace and Hope 88 Main Street East, Drayton www.draytoncrc.org
Sunday, August 11 10:00am: Pastor Les will lead worship Exodus 25:1ff The House that God Built 7:30pm: Pastor Les will lead worship Habakkuk 1:1ff Habakkuk: Why? Oh, Why?
A SPECIAL INVITATION Please join us for evening worship every 2nd, 4th, & 5th Sundays.