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Let's rejoice

Linda's Lines: the Lord is with us in good times and in the not-so-good times
poppy (Small)
We can all be grateful for what the poppy stands for.

I don't know about you, but I'm tired of COVID, vaccines, stormy weather and rising food prices. This week I've been putting my thoughts and prayers into sharing some things we've got to celebrate. But this morning, preparing to head out to church, a powerful "boost" hit me in the heart.

Here's how it happened: I was pinning a poppy on my clothes to remind myself and others that this Thursday (at least for us Canadians) we're to celebrate Remembrance Day.

Because of that dreaded COVID word, we've been unable to gather for the past several years and sadly, that privilege is still restricted. Having said that, however, I am so grateful for what those poppies stand for. Here's a bit of our family history. Perhaps you heard me refer to this before, but I never tire of giving thanks and of celebrating the freedom that so many men and women provided for us. I never met my father-in-law, mother-in-law or my husband's youngest brother. Starvation, beatings and diverse kinds of escape from what is now Poland robbed us of the joys of growing old together.

Then, we live in such a beautiful town; an approximate five-minute walk takes me to the shores of the Pacific Ocean. What makes me even more grateful, however, is that I have truly loved every place we've lived. For example, Saskatchewan (part of Canada's Prairies) will always hold a special place in my heart!

I'm also grateful for my family, both immediate and church family. One from each category came by this afternoon to lend a helping hand. Clocks were amended to display that evening's "fall back" time event.

As I sit and pen these words, our car is being cleaned by a young man from our church. Ed’s new health realities make it almost impossible for him to do and folks have stepped in to help. Not everyone enjoys those kinds of blessings.

Above all, though, I rejoice in knowing that the Lord is with us in good times and in the not-so-good times. Like the Psalmist David we can rest securely in God.