SUNNY. It’s a name that suits my friend well. Her easy, friendly manner encourages smiling responses in those she meets. » Her patient, open acceptance of others, her loving nature and prace blesses those who encounter her. She brings sunshine in ‘her very step. Yes, Sunny is well named. Each time I encounter Sunny, | find myself learning some- - thing, for Sunny isa gifted zeacher wi ho, by example, teaches a simple lesson: Take each day as it comes, and appreciate it as gift. Sunny embodies the saying of the Jewish Rabbi, Joshua _. Heschel, who wrote thar “Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is © holy” and she points te the truth of the saying that “Yesterday “was the past. ‘lomorrow is the future. Today is a gift, and that is w hy it is called the present.” (author unknown) . Sunny is right. Each day is a gift, a new beginning, an oppor-— tunity to fook at the worid with new eyes. When T meet Sunny, f can’t help but look at the world in a new way, for she reminds me to slow down, relax, be aware of ‘the sacredness of all that is around me, feel joy at an indeserib- able part of may spirit, and appreciate all of lite. “Yesterday, Sunny came to visit. She seemed curious about my little outdoor garden so I invited her to have a look-see. When she returned, her attention remained focused on something that was outdoors. She watched, and was at peace. In thar moment, she taught me, She taught me to sce beauty in the familiar, won- ‘der in the everyday things of life, joy in simply being — not “always doing. Sunny reminded me that mortals are called “human beings; not human 1 doings.”.. Pane "As I type these words, it’s che nd ofa fon; day —a day that .. begaa very early, before the light came throu; ended very. fate. While 1 am physically tired, becaus¢ of Sunny’s gentle reminder of yesterday, I am spiri ally renewed, for it’s been 2 day where [ touched the face of God in'so many hum-". my curtains, and bling ways. Tn the quiet moments of sitting beside a beloved parishioner whose life hangs on fragile threads due to renal failure — holding his hand, praying for him, anointing and preparing him for the journey ahead, bringing hima pe | message from a grandson unable tu say his last good-byes in person due to geographical distance, } met Gods compassion. In the j jovous laughter of children at play i in the Queen Marv's schoolyard, F met God's spontaneity, - In the business of the church office where phones rang, peo- pie dropped by, e-mails and phone messages needed replying, let- ters needed writing and bulletins needed photocopying and told- ing, | met God’s patience. - In the sanctity of my morning devotional time and the quick- ly offered arrow-prayers during the day, I met God’s peace. In the tcars shed by a woman whose marriage is tenuous and who cried for solace and comfort in our time together, I met God’s mercy. In the phone cal! from my son who walked me through the repair of a computer problem which was delaying completion of the design of a special upcoming liturgy, I met God’s thoughtful- ness. .- In the wonder of the baby born at Lions Gate Hospital after a :- protracted labour and unexpected live birth, I met God’s love. In the youth holding opena door to an elderly woman, i met - God's kindness. In the poignant sharing of e- mail prayer requests by people : (who have never met in person and yet who are committed to” praying for needs brought to their attention, 1 met God’s humili- “In the delight of the child w ho gleefully shouted to her moth- er “Look! It’s a butterfly — on my hand!” T met God’s joy. - "In the unsolicited smile by a stranger on the street as I quickly. ; made. my way to the hospi - met God's § goodness, : ‘wish you all a Blessed Advent, Merry : Epiphany. as you encounter and delight i in the Suninys of your. In the quiet of my home wi hich shelters me from the cold at day’s end, | met God's solitude. And in the gentle lessen from Sunny that no matter how busy cach day may seem; spiritual renewal comes in taking each moment as it comes, f met, and continue to meet, God's grace. Sunny’s visit was a gentle reminder from God that spintual ’ renewal doesn’t come in “dreading the future.” Spiritual renewal devesn’t come in “regretting the past.” Spirirual renewal comes in accepting, entering inte and being grateful for the gift of the moment, be that a moment of struggle, a moment of accoin- Plishment, 2 time of bereavement or loneliness or fear or trustra- tion or anger or anxiety or laughter or joy or wonder — or what- ever! Spiritual renewal comes in “simply being. Today, I coatinue to remember Svnny’s visit with humble: ° gratitude. : Who will God use to be your “Sunny” in the days and weeks — “to come? Who will God bring to you to offer spiritual guidance : and soul nourishment? Sometimes, we can’t Fecognize our ‘Sunnys and need help to. - see them for who they are. North Shore faith groups have clergy: trained to offer spiritual direction, leaders capable of being soul friends. They welcome and invite yau to worship with them and explore opportunities for spiritual ‘renewal — Contemplative’: prayer groups, Silent Retreats, Alpha weekends; Quiet Days, - . Cursillo weekends, Celtic firargies, spirinual direction sessions etc Oh, [alroost forgot. In case you were thinking that Sunny is 2 human being, she’s not. Sunny is 2 delightful four-legged crea- ture, a pomeraniapoo (is that what you call a cross between a Pomeranian and poodle?) who was used by, God ir in a very pro: found way. - : Gad uses all sorts of uaiqué ways to encourage us on our. spiritual j journeys and I, for one, ‘am gratefial. May the hope, peace; joy and love which comes at this Festi : time of the year, be abundant in your life in the coming year.’ I Christinas and Enlightened (= The Reverend: Dr June Magjin, Se. Jobn the Evangelist An, nplican Church, 0 can be con wcted ag