In Remembrance

My first memories of Remembrance Day come from when I was in grade 3. My teacher Mrs Pitner invited us to cut out poppies from red construction paper.  We were allowed to decorate our poppies however we liked, while Mrs. Pitner shared with us the importance of remembering the men and women who have served, and continue to serve Canada during times of war, conflict and peace.  After decorating our poppy we glued them onto a larger circle creating a wreath.  It was beautiful, all of our individual poppies together creating a masterpiece!

The next day on November 11th the entire school met in the gymnasium, where we listened to someone from the legion speak of the war.  I was selected, with another student to bring our class wreath to the front of the gymnasium for the whole school to see.  Then, I remember having to endure two minutes of silence. (Two minutes is a long time to be quiet!)  And of course one of the kids, in the older grade, played Taps and Last Post.  This Remembrance Day assembly happened every year.  (It wasn’t until I was much older that I heard what Taps and Last Post was really supposed to sound like ;)

On March 1, 2018 Remembrance Day became a national Canadian holiday, unlike when I was younger.  And unlike when I was younger there are many more ways of participating in the act of remembering.

Canadians recognize Remembrance Day, originally called Armistice Day, every November 11th at 11 a.m. It marks the end of hostilities during the First World War and an opportunity to recall all those who have served in the nation's defence.

Today my involvement with Remembrance Day gives me a sense of participation in something real and historical. For me, it isn't just about vets and wars. It's also about me remembering my Remembrance Days of the past. And stepping back to reflect on those, is one way to never forget what it’s all about.

In Scripture we are told to remember the Lord's death until He comes (1 Corinthians 11:17-34).

On Sunday we gathered around the table to participate in the sacrament of communion. You might recall that I read the words taken directly from scripture:

“This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

“This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

Participating in the act of remembering this actual historical event helps make and keep it real to us. The bread and wine/juice are real—we can see, taste, touch, and smell them. That's so important because we are prone to forget things. That is why the Lord wants us to do it regularly—in remembrance of Him. I pray we never forget what it’s all about either!

De-light-ful

For those of you who know me, you know that empty nesting has been hard.  Coupled with the last two+ years of Covid, I hit a new loneliness low.  So what did we do?

We did the very thing my dear hubby vowed would never ever happen again… we got a puppy.

Luna has only been with for 10 months and I can not imagine life without her. She lets me snuggle her and pat her head and kiss her in ways that my children have long since allowed.

She has been a light for me… thus her name, LUNA. She is de-light-ful!And even Brian will admit that this new addition has brought us great joy.

No one ever gets as excited to see me then Luna. For example, yesterday I went to take the garbage to the curb and when I returned 2 minutes later I was greeted with such exuberance. Luna ran towards me, rubbing against my leg with her tail going a mile a minute. She then dropped to the floor and rolled onto her back waiting for a belly rub.  It was adorable. After the initial excitement subdued she ran to find her toy and began chewing at my feet.  I read somewhere that “chewing a favourite chew brings dogs joy, and doing so on top of their humans makes it all the better.”  Double delight!

And honestly, isn’t that joy?  Being with someone who delights in being with you?

Throughout scripture we are told how God delights in us (Zephaniah 3:17; Psalm 147:11; 1 Peter 1:6-7; Romans 2:29), so much more than any pet or person.

God delighted in being with us from the beginning of time. After God finished creating everything, God declared it not just good, but VERY good. God was delighted.  God delights in each of us and God desires to be with us. Even in those times when we may feel like no one could possibly delight in us… know that God does.

When we understand this, I mean really believe this, we can live with an unwavering sense of joy.

I receive such joy in Luna’s joy because joy is contagious. So let others know we delight in being with them. We may not wag our tail or chew at their feet (highly recommend not doing either) but we can be intentional about letting those we love know we delight in being with them!

Then we will see everything!

I remember when my daughter, Emily, first got glasses.  She was around 11 or 12.  I noticed she had been squinting while watching television so I asked her if she was have trouble seeing.

She said that she wasn’t.

“Are you having trouble seeing the black board at school?”  I asked.

“No, I can see fine.”

This went on for sometime until I decided it was time to make an appointment for an eye exam and sure enough, she needed glasses for distance.

There is a moment that has been etched in my mind and heart.  We were driving home from the optometrist. Emily was wearing her new glasses.  As we made a turn onto the 401, Emily said,  “I can see the leaves on the trees! Oh, those are bricks on that bridge!” She was so excited.

To this day every time I pass that spot I think of that moment.  She was so excited and I felt like the worst mom ever for not catching it sooner.  The thing is, she didn’t know what she didn’t know. She didn’t know what she wasn’t seeing. When she put on her new glasses, everything became clear and in focus. It was as though she was seeing for the first time!

In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, Paul speaks of our hazy, unclear human perspective compared with a heavenly perspective: “Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.” (1 Corinthians 13:12 NLT).

Paul’s illustration of a mirror was appropriate for an audience of Corinthians, as bronze mirrors were manufactured in the city of Corinth. Those ancient mirrors reflected less clearly than modern-day mirrors, but even modern mirrors reflect backward images that aren’t as clear as direct sight.

The Greek word Paul uses for “reflection,” αἰνίγματι, translates to “in a riddle” and is where we get the English word “enigma.” An enigma is something puzzling or hard to understand.

When we walk through the confusing times of our lives, we often long to understand the whys and hows and whens. Life can be an enigma. Yet the peace we seek from these answers can’t be found in the partial, earthly understanding we have available to us now. Paul speaks of a greater, perfect perspective we’ll hold in eternity, assuring us that one day the incomprehensible times of our lives will make sense, complete in purpose and perception.  It will be like Emily seeing through her glasses!

Until that time, how do we reconcile this with our spirits today, while we’re still in the throes of questions and confusion?

I believe the answer is to know and trust God’s character. We talked about 6 of God’s attributes in our most recent sermon series:

• God is merciful

• God is trustworthy

• God is loving

• God is Holy

• God is constant and,

• God is the God who sees me

As we spend time with God our confidence is God’s character will grow and strengthen. Day by day, hour by hour— we can release each confusing piece of our lives into the able hands of God, who is also Peace (Judges 6:24) knowing that the eternal God who sees you and sees the end from the beginning, does nothing without purpose! (Isaiah 46:10)

Live in confidence that you are loved by a loving God!