One of my favourite Sunday afternoon routines is listening to the CBC’s Cross Country Check-up. Callers from across the nation are invited to phone or email and offer their thoughts on a weekly topic, usually selected from among current matters of interest to the nation. Occasionally, and also welcomed, are calls that come from our neighbours to the south.
This week’s topics were twofold: comments on a weekend political convention and the second, suggestions for women who qualify to be featured on our currency. Although I found both subjects most interesting, it was the second that prompted this article. As people called in or wrote, a sense of gratitude welled up for so many women who gave so much.
Although I made no attempt to write down names and categories, some I most remember include women who contributed to furthering art, language and medicine. In our own town, Elder Elsie Paul, was recently honoured for her work in reviving the language and culture of the local Tla’amin people.
Moving beyond gender recognition, however, I thought of the men who also have contributed to our well being, both as individuals and as a nation and world. Men and women who dared to stand for right, no matter what the cost. Men and women who risked their lives to protect our country and our dignity. And, not to be forgotten, those men and women who have followed the call of God to serve in pastoral ministry. Across the continent and indeed, the world, so many have given freely of their time, resources and strength to bless others. Though they may never be recognized publicly, their names are proclaimed in the annals of heaven. The writer of the book of Hebrews records their sacrifices then proclaims: “of whom the world was not worthy.”
