#WarOnGrumbling Day 27

I'm grateful for a few of my favorite things on a really bad day.

My usual Friday in Gimli turned out a bit brutal. After I sat and prayed with my mother in her hospital room and then further disassembled her apartment, I felt a wave of profound sadness wash over me. 

At times like this I have found deep solace in the fact that Emmanuel is God with us (meaning me) and that He hears my most basic cry: "Helper, help." 

And there's my favourite things. Thankfully I got a few of those today. 

My brother and I stopped at Ponemah Beach to gaze on my Lake Winnipeg on a brisk but bright afternoon.

Ponemah Beach

And on our way home on Highway 8, we caught the last gasp of a superb pink-ribboned sunset. 

Sunset on Highway 8

After my dad died, I lost my of joy of cooking for a while. Thankfully, at the same time I became obsessed with the #58 spicy coconut chicken vermicelli soup at Pho No. 1. I ordered it at least once a week and you should've seen my conniption fit the week the restaurant closed for holidays. Tonight as I contemplated my weariness, I knew that only #58 would do.

Spicy coconut chicken vermicelli soup at Pho No. 1

When I left Pho No. 1, I noticed a stand of lovely perfectly bloomed purple flowers in front of my parking spot. In November... If you're not from Winnipeg, you just won't understand.

Flowers in November

Look at the way the flowers bloom for You //
They want to show You their beauty Lord //
Running waters dance, You and I romance //
Unto You be all the glory.

WarOnGrumbling #40DaysOfThanksgiving

#WarOnGrumbling Day 20

I'm grateful that God is so beautiful.

I'm not grumbling but it just was an emotional and tough day visting my mom in Gimli Hospital. On the drive out, with the temperatures hovering near 15C, I stopped to gape at Lake Winnipeg in Matlock just as a float plane hovered overhead. Honestly, it was hard to believe it was November.

When I drove home it was dusk on highway 8, which can be a bit boring. However I felt God beckoning me to gaze on His beauty. And then He rolled out splendor and colors and cloud formations that are almost indescribably beauteous. 

I was listening to Davy Flowers sing "Wounded One" and couldn't help be moved by the lyrics
We lift our gaze, we lift our gaze //
You are higher

Once again, His beauty wrecked me and I wept like a baby all the way home. And for that I'm extremely thankful.

#WarOnGrumbling #40DaysOfThanksgiving

#WarOnGrumbling Day 5

I am thankful that God really knows me.

Today was one of those incomparably bad days. We found out my mom's cancer had spread to her brain, kidneys and vertebrae. It's not likely she will make it through the year. This, after my father passing in April. Argh.

I knew it was going to be a bit of a grueling day, so I asked God to make Himself known in the midst of everything. I'm well aware He is with me, but I just needed a little more closeness than usual.

The drive through the Interlake -- known as the land of inland oceans and infinite possibilities -- was lovely as always.

After meeting with mom's nurse and realizing the full impact of what was going down, I made some phone calls and asked my friends for prayer. 

I wandered over to Gimli's trademark breakwater for a stroll and I let Abba console me with a vista of Lake Winnipeg, a place so close to my heart.

Then I popped over to the new Alycia's and was thrilled to discover they had pyrizhky, tasty Ukrainian buns filled with sauerkraut. A family favourite, they were a great snack for mom and an easy dinner for myself (one thing I've learned in this grief journey is sometimes you just have to eat out). 

During my drive home, the sky was mostly overcast, but somehow most of the horizon was beautifully lit in a ribbon of peach and gold.

Later, on my way to my regular Thursday evening evangelism outreach, I walked through Portage Place and what was playing? "The Heart of the Matter" by Don Henley, a song that has spoken to me in so many difficult situations throughout my life.

So what's my takeaway? It's that the God I serve knew exactly what I needed in the midst of such a trying day. 

He knows I love driving on the prairies. He knows I needed time by the lake. He knows I'm a foodie and how munching on one of my childhood delicacies would soothe the hurt. He knows I needed beauty on the way home. And He knows exactly how much that song means to me.

He knows me. And knowing that makes me want to know Him more.

I've been tryin' to get down //
To the heart of the matter //
But my will gets weak //
And my thoughts seem to scatter //
But I think it's about forgiveness //
Forgiveness //
Even if, even if you don't love me anymore

#WarOnGrumbling #40DaysOfThanksgiving