“The RoseBouquet”

On Saturday, our country is celebrating it’s national birthday. The Americans will have theirs next Tuesday.

We Canadians are known for our lack of political involvement. I’ve got a theory about how that came about. I also have some opinions on political matters - I might even persuade myself to share them before I’m done here.

Why are so many Canadians reserved about their political leanings?

A lot of us are the offspring of Mennonite immigrants of the waves since the late 1800s. Most are no longer with the same church their grandparents were, but we still have this “attitude” that politics is dirty and secular, and we should stay out of it. We should be the “quiet in the land,” a phrase that has been used many times about Mennonites.

Other ethnic groups such as the Hutterites, Doukabours, Quakers, maybe the Asian groups too - all have a similar “attitude.” Some of these have a history of having martyrs for their faith in past European history. They really don’t want to antagonize authority figures. Oh yes, we’ve got a modern education, and many of our people have risen up to be teachers, university professors, business owners, and even government workers. Yet there’s this undercurrent in our souls that says, tread carefully. Don’t stir up trouble.

So what exactly are my political leanings, and opinions?

Hey, somebody asked!! At last.

1. I’m glad I live in Canada. It isn’t perfect, but it still strikes me as a great place to live. it is wonderfully beautiful and diverse in it’s range of beauty. It goes from coastal seascapes, to big modern cities, to flat prairie parklands that look like vast manicured lawns as far as the eye can see, to rugged high mountain ranges, and pristine ice flows up north. No other country can boast all that. I am grateful.

2. I am - if you haven’t guessed it - conservative by nature. Naturally, I’ll choose to vote for Conservative politicians, but even among them, I look for higher standards. I want to see evidence of good ethics, faithfulness to promises, and a life and manner that shows the person lives by Biblical principles. Particularly in respect for life, and financial truthfulness. We have been fortunate in our area to have Conservative candidates to vote for that seemed to measure up in these regards. I am grateful.

3. Personally, I believe it is God that raises up governments, or puts some down. Often He uses one to do that to the other. We’ve had decades of a Liberal party in power, and very secular politics. I think they’ve made some serious mistakes, such as legalizing abortion, and same sex marriages, doing away with the Lord’s Day Act, and many other little things, that will make us subject to God’s judgment one day. God recognizes individuals who have a different mindset, however, and will not toss out the righteous with the tares (unrighteous). I am grateful.

4. I have tried to listen thoughtfully and vote at each election since I finished high school. I have been active in pro-life, mainly in fund-raising and one-on-one advocacy. I have even been a volunteer scrutineer at the federal election a year ago. I have prayed for various levels of government, but realize that there is room for more.

Even though we usually don’t do much differently on Canada Day to celebrate what we have, I’m going to pledge to spend some time this Saturday just to sit down and count my blessings, and ask myself, “what else can I do to prove I’m grateful for my Canadian blessings?”