He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” (Matthew 13:31, 32)
When I was 10 and 11 or so, my family went and lived in England while my Dad was writing a book. It was a really remarkable experience that I’m not sure I fully appreciated at the time but I can say that I loved England. I even loved Birmingham, where we were living even though it’s a massive, industrial city. I mostly loved the outings that we had on the weekend to see the historic sites that were within driving distance of our home. We saw so many ancient churches, abbey ruins, and even small castles that were far far older than any Eastern Ontario historic site. Fort Henry would be new for England. Same with others of our fortifications like Fort Wellington. One of the things that my 10 year old self loved doing was climbing every tower I possibly could. Ancient stone towers with a stone spiral staircase that would wind its way up many feet in the air. And when you got to the top, it felt like you could see for miles and miles.
The staircases in the towers, the stone ones, had divots in the stair by centuries of feet wearing down the tread. I was so intrigued by the idea that people had been going up and down that arduous stone staircase for so many years that they had worn it that much. Once, when I remarked that to my dad, he said to me “And now you’ve contributed to that dip in the stairs. You can’t see it, but you are part of this wearing that means a hundred years from now, another kid is going to look at it and marvel at what has happened”.
Such an incredible image for a ten year old kid. That they had somehow contributed to something that would bring wonder to future children.
This past week, Bethel hosted a celebration to bless the 80 Izzy Dolls that we, along with other churches and other knitting groups had knit for the 80th anniversary at the Juno Beach Memorial. I’m so proud that Bethel is part of this Izzy Doll project. It is estimated that over the 30 years of this program, two million of these tiny knitted dolls have been distributed to children in need of comfort and support in their trauma. I was particularly touched to hear that Health Partners International is now packing their medical supplies with Izzy Dolls rather than Styrofoam peanuts, so that the dolls could be distributed to children along with medical supplies to hospitals and physicians.
We had pictures all over the hall of the Izzy Dolls being given to children all over the world. The dignitaries (and some pretty impressive ones; let me tell you!) told us story after story of how much impact these dolls have all over the world. One of our own knitters called it a “three hanky presentation”; and frankly, all of us were misty-eyed much of the afternoon. Person after person in their presentation (including the Major-General) spoke about the importance of ‘small things’; of little gestures of peace and comfort, of random acts of kindness and an acknowledgement of the humanity of others.
Just like the divots in the stone stairs of the towers in England, these small gestures of kindness can nudge our whole world into being a better place. Just like the tiny seeds of a mustard plant that grows into an enormous bush, these little, lovingly knit Izzy Dolls can move whole generations into a place that puts primacy on love and consolation of children who are traumatized by violence and terror.
I think our society has forgotten the truth that mustard seeds can uproot an entire field, that a single candle can dispel the darkness, and that a lovingly knitted doll can change a whole society. I think we expect that change can only come through grandness, glitz and glitter. And unfortunately, because of this, I think that those of us who are small, who can’t do grand, and who feel inadequate in the demands for more and bigger can give up in despair.
So all I can give you today, my dear Bethel Friends, is that you matter. That this matters (and here you need to picture me gesturing vaguely around the church – this!), and that all of us, along with all of the others doing small things, well
We can change the world.
Blessings today and remember you are loved,
~Rev Lynne
(link to the Izzy Doll broadcast on CTV that didn’t even mention Bethel by name, but we know who we are!)
https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/eastern-ont-knitters-make-80-peacekeeper-izzy-dolls-for-d-day-anniversary-1.6860622
Thank you for sharing these lovely words, and thank you to the Bethel Church community for their support of this important project. I too moved overseas (to France) as an 11 year old. My father was completing a masters degree at the University in Montpellier. In that one year, I remember visiting more than 100 different churches. Every time we went into a new church, my father would call out the year of construction… then remark that “this church was built before Canada was a country!”. I remember reflecting on how many feet had walked on the stone floors as I marvelled at the path that had been created by the congregations over centuries of use. I was part of something so much bigger. In playing a small part in the Izzy Doll project, I am proud to be part of something much bigger.
I remember climbing the stairs in Province House in Charlotte and noticing the worn away steps where so many had trod including the Father’s of Confederation in 1864. I felt like I was a tiny part of a great dream that became Canada. Small steps become giant strides. We need to remember that today with all the tensions in the world.
Thank you Lynn once again you’ve reminded us all that the small things can change the world …one act at a time
Interesting Lynn.
Unrelated but I spent 3 months working in Birmingham in 1976. Sampled the history of the area of course and experienced, like you the relative youth of our country relative to merry old. I was fascinated by the Roman presence, horse of the white vale etc.
Fred
Wish I had been able to help with this wonderful project. My mother had the ability to knit diamond socks while sound asleep and never missed a stitch. I unfortunatule can not stay awake. Congratulations ladies.
A number of years ago on our first trip to Ireland, we knocked on the door of our first guest Bed and Breakfast home. The owner opened the door and said, “Your Welcome” with a beautiful smile on her face. Now normally, we would only say your welcome when we’re thanking someone for something they said or did, so it struck me as unusual. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that this small greeting accompanied by the beautful smile meant that we really were truly welcome in their home with the peat fire going in the fireplace in the livingroom. So many small gestures can mean so much, even sometimes more than the spoken word and more than we realize…..a smile, a helping hand, a kind deed.
Bethel United Church is such a welcoming and caring home for our community. I want to thank you all for all the small….and big things that you did on Tuesday to make everyone coming through the door of our church truly at home, right up to the treats and refreshments following the event. You have made a such a positive difference in the lives of so many, including the children of the world and now connections with communities in France. Blessing to everyone and thank you.