Each day that we live we have the same 24 hours available to use.
This labour day many will be with family or friends, some of us will be enjoying a day before work starts again and some of us will be working not having the time off.
We can choose to develop our character, and build trust or we can choose to not invest in that.
I was talking to a friend about my journey in Canada. She always asks me is there no one there that can help open doors for you. You have such good qualifications and skills especially now with the COVID crises you could help people with mental health. I tell her that I do ask and I ask people to pray for me but it is always I have not seen anything or I will keep you in mind. The Bible says hope deferred makes the heart grow sick, but a wish fulfilled brings joy. It is in Proverbs 13:12 When hope is crushed, the heart is crushed, but a wish come true fills you with joy.
You have to do it on your own in Canada. Invest in your education take courses use the internet to look for jobs. Although my parish priest asks people for me, he too does not get the support he would like me to have to move into a good paying job, it is always minimum wage and short term work.
What steps I take I take because there is nothing else I can do. I invest my time and effort today, in the hope that not giving up will lead to doors opening. No one wants to feel like they are a burden, not welcomed and excluded when plans are made. I may not do that to others but I know what it is like to have it done to me. To be told we are doing our own thing, you make your own plans. I remember my Mother's birthday it was one of the big ones. I wanted to have a party for her, she said no her and the man she was in a relationship were going away. I told her I could do it later and invite everyone she refused. That hurt me . but I accepted it. Then when she was getting married I wanted to go spend the night before with the family so we could be together as my brother had come down from the UK. Again she said no. I was very hurt. I wanted to be with the family but I went to her wedding and supported her. I missed my class on Compress for my training and am still waiting to make it up. Well, I though we can have lunch together the next day. I asked my Mum and my sister, to join my brother and I , and they refused. So you see a pattern here. There comes a time when you start to realize who appreciates you and who does not. When my Mother came I researched all the volunteer places near by, all the things we could do together as she told me she would live with me but when she arrived in Canada she made a choice to stay with my sister. Over the years she has told me that I do not look after her, that I am the problem and source of all her problems and that my sister does everything for her. Now that is not true. I have been good to my Mum. I have sponsored her. I have helped her. Accommodated her when her health was bad, and asked very little in return but when I have needed her, she has not been there for me when friends have died and when she lived with my sister told me that they do not appreciate me and I should not give them gifts or make time for them. I found it strange that she should think that way and argued with her that I would be left alone and wanted to build relationships with my niece and nephew. I told her you all enjoy yourselves together and leave me out of everything and yet my sister has me tracked and you do not tell me why. Once she got married and I found out through the police they were working with people to put me into psychiatry care I told my Mother the police gave me instructions to call them if they contact me again. It was all coordinated behind my back without me knowing. At the end of the day my family will always know the truth. I worked hard, I took the jobs I could and I did my best whether they see it or not. Now my mother will tell me I did not do anything wrong, but she refuses to tell the police the truth. That she was with me when people were calling the people harassing me, she refuses to make a call to confirm that my Aunt and Uncle told her not to come to the meetings. That my Uncle hurt me by telling me he told my Dad to go to his final operation in South Africa that he did not want. So it all makes me look like I have no consideration for anyone but myself but is not true. Whenever there are birthdays or Christmas events even with no money I made the effort, I went. When my Mother was alone I was there for her. I never treated her badly or allowed people to think that she was a liar. I always guided her to do the right thing.
When my Mother or sister travel they do not tell me their plans. Not even when they move. You can forgive and forget but not when it comes to your life being put into jeopardy. They say they were worried yet when I was reported missing there was no concern. They never spent any time with me or called to see how I was. It shakes you up when you get a call from police to say you are missing.
It is outsiders who vouched for me with the police. Who stood by me and helped me and spoke up for me, not the family in North America.
When I got my John Maxwell license I let my friends know. The ones who message me, stay in touch and encourage me. The ones who wish me good luck and pray for me.
You can pray for your family, and friends, even if there is nothing else that you can do.
What are you doing today to develop your character?