Don't you believe It

Written and Shared by: Chaplain Chris Belfield
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April showers bring May flowers.  If that’s the case then there’s been so much rain that we will have enough May flowers to open our own business. The signs are all about us that Spring has finally sprung on the North Shore.  The temperatures have finally warmed up to a tolerable level.  This was reaffirmed by the local electric cooperative bill which significantly went down from the previous month’s bill. Then there’s the fauna which is starting to abound in green.  Small perennials planted last year are making their presence known.  And let’s not forget the local wildlife.  The deer are scampering about, porcupines have been noted, and skunks still have not figured out how to safely cross the local roadways.  However, perhaps the greatest indicator is the traffic increase in just the past week – weather notwithstanding. Once again travelers are abounding to take in the beauty that is unique to this part of the country.  Ah, Spring.  Then there was this morning.

True to form, while transforming to the delights of seasonal change, is a stark reminder that anything is possible up here.  We woke to find ourselves in a nice little snow event.  I mean it was coming down pretty
good and was sticking to the ground and vehicles.  Not to worry.  The snowblower is all tuned up, gassed, and ready to go.  Bring it on. Not really.  So, when someone says Winter is done, don't you believe it.  But then again, this is all just part of living here and adjusting to the slow changing of the seasons.  I looked at the Weather Channel forecast for next week, and sure enough, there is still a possibility of snow showers.  A month from now who will even remember?

Then there was another change that no one was anticipating and that was last month's heating bill for those living in Two Harbors.  Due to the unexpected severe cold down in Texas, prices were up to four times, or more, higher than usual.  This could not have happened at the worst time with so many already financially impacted by COVID-19. This increase affected all the residents of the city.  Of course, there was a great deal of concern, and some expressions of anger over what had happened, but this is the North Shore and problems are taken care of a bit differently than in other areas.  There were no protests, no riots, and no demands for public officials to resign.  There were rumors to be sure, but don't believe everything you hear.  Questions were asked and answered.  Most concerning was what happened, and why?  A local reporter for the North Shore Journal went to the city administrator and got the information everyone needed. The city understood the impact on the residents and immediately affected
means to have the payments spread over 12 months to alleviate the immediate financial hardship.  When we hear something that doesn't sound quite right, we are always free to ask questions.

I had heard that my favorite eatery location had been sold and that there was a massive corporate conglomerate that would change everything to pursue profit.  Well, I had a chance to speak to the owner and ask if the rumor was true.  I was informed that yes, the business had been sold, but that the same family-friendly atmosphere was to be maintained.  Also, the new owners will be doing structural changes the current owner had been planning to do for several years.  I was assured that this was indeed a win-win
situation for the community, patrons, and staff. 

Now we are in the midst of one of the most acrimonious times in our nation’s recent history.  Rumors are abounding and we are being inundated with news items meant to influence rather than inform.  I pause here to reiterate – don't you believe it.  Granted, some will be true, but it is incumbent on us to ask the questions directly and check the facts rather than relying on someone else to do it for us.

I would like to offer for your consideration a Biblical example – the Bereans.  Take a look at Acts chapter  17, verses 10-15, and study the background.  Biblical wisdom is sound wisdom.

Our encouragement verse for this week is:  Acts 17:11  (NIV)

“ Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”

May you be blessed by God's word.     

Chris