Overwhelmed at times in two different directions, and thoughts even about water!

First of all, not surprisingly, there have been times where I have been so sad and emotionally dragged down, even being reduced to tears realizing the things that my best friend and spouse had to struggle with in one way or another, for her entire life, much of it internally, which eventually was influential in her passing to her eternal life. I've described some of that in previous posts, but they just scratch the surface. As sad as it is, I am so, so thankful that God rescued her from the path the devil was taking her down. Yet all the while, she was a beautiful, wonderful spouse that brought so much joy in my life for the entire 47.5 years of our marriage, and still continues two years later. What a blessing!

July, 2018, at Serpent River

Then at many other times, I have been so overwhelmingly thankful that God has been with me throughout my life, even in my sorrows and challenges, as some of my earlier posts described. But since Marie’s passing, I have had such a steep learning curve in understanding what she was dealing with, and even more so having a stronger growth in my faith and knowledge of God. While being married, Marie and I spent a lot of time growing together in so many ways, which was the way God intended it to be. Sure, we weren’t always on the same page in everything, but we were for many things, and spending time growing together, doing things together, sharing thoughts, experiences, etc., was so amazing and fulfilling.  She was such a beautiful person to grow with! Of course now life is so lonely, without having a loving spouse to share it with. Do I wish/pray for another mate with which to spend this next stage of my earthly life journey for who knows how many years? Sure, the thought has crossed my mind as I am sure it does to most folks who have lost a mate, but it wouldn’t be without its own set of challenges! No one could ever replace Marie!! And someone would have to get used to me and vice versa!!! Hmmmm....Therefore without having someone else to grow with at this stage, I am spending so much more time in closer communion with my Creator and have grown so much in that area, recognizing blessings, exploring His creation, reading various Christian books, including near death experiences by so many to have a better idea of the love and beauty to expect in the afterlife, listening to inspirational Christian music, some of which definitely triggers various emotions. And perhaps most important, trying to be open to His Spirit speaking to me, and being open to what He wants me to do with my remaining years on earth. I know God has more blessings, and an ongoing purpose, and I am so thankful!

Wood Thrush

In addition, on a quite separate topic, I have recently been reminded of the role of water in our lives, and our dependence on it. A few days ago, I went to turn the water on in the morning. Nothing, not even a spurt. I waited a bit and tried again. Still nothing. Was it a problem with my system or something else? When the lack of water continued, I contacted the municipality and found out that there had been a water main break! Eventually, after about 7 hours, the water from the tap returned!

It was just a reminder that water is one of God's many, many creations, and we take so many of them for granted, instead of praising Him for numerous blessings even with the availability of water! 

Hogg's Falls

Up next, probably, is an update with some of the recently produced photos illustrating God's creation with various relevant Bible verses. It has been going well and is so rewarding! In addition, a future post will be referring to the book of Job, where God speaks to us in such elaborate detail and is by far the most in the Bible where He does speak to us. We all too often ignore it, unfortunately.

 

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Unexpected Growth and Blessings

(Apologies to those who have heard some of this before, but I know there will be folks who are just seeing this blog for the first time, and a little background hopefully will be helpful.)

There are many ways to be blessed. So often we think of them as the easy ways to receive things that we consider to be good. But just as often, at least in hindsight, some of the most significant blessings and growth are through the trials we go through. In reading various earlier blog posts in Life Is A Journey, you will be aware of some of the unexpected and unwanted challenges I had to deal with over the years. And then, in hindsight, many of them turned out to be amazing opportunities for growth and blessings, and ideally to glorify God by doing what He had planned for me. For example, having my Rondeau job taken away without warning, gave opportunity to be heavily involved in a good way for almost the entirety of my career in saving some of the best natural features of southwestern Ontario, such as Pelee Island, focusing on the needs of so many species at risk, and becoming very involved with Ontario’s Tallgrass Prairie in so many ways. I am totally convinced that this was God's preference for me, rather than just staying at Rondeau.

Endangered Blue Racer

Fish Point, Pelee Island

 

Dense Blazing-star, Walpole Is

Certainly the biggest challenge in my life was to watch my spouse and best friend, Marie, decline in her physical and spiritual health over many years. Not because of anything she did to cause it, but because she was a victim of the devil in her very early days, which just kept dragging her down. And since she passed, getting used to the emptiness in my life has been very much a challenge…many ups and downs since my exceptional life partner of almost 48 years is gone. Yet I have been blessed in certain ways as a result of God rescuing her.

Exploring Zion NP

Certainly believing in my heart that she is not anymore going down the path that the devil was taking her and now being more perfect than ever in the heavenly realm brings joy to me, and helps to overcome the grief. Also I have spent much more time reading about things that God brought into our paths, and a lot more time praying/praising/communicating with Him, knowing that He planned for all of this before either of us were born. In effect, He chose me for this purpose, and what greater honour is there than to be chosen by the Creator of the universe for a specific purpose.  Wow! Hallelujah!! And knowing that He planned for me to be using what I have learned for the unique purpose He created me for, for whatever years I have left on this earth. So amazing; I could never have imagined it, and it’s definitely not easy. Sharing about His creation, sharing about His eternal blessing, sharing about what I have learned regarding the struggles and trauma that Marie (and I) faced, and quite possibly that others who are reading this may have faced, are all very purposeful. I certainly pray that I am listening to the truth of His voice, and not the deceptive voice of the devil who would like me to downgrade any message to his liking. While there are a number of people who are getting this blog each time I post, I can tell there are sometimes at least a few others who are not on the distribution list who must be reading it as well. I always pray that God will direct the heart of those who He wants to hear the message of the individual posts to encounter it, and to hear the Holy Spirit speaking to them for whatever purpose He has in mind.

Dickcissel

An update on some of the canvas prints with Bible verses will probably be in the next blog.

If you would like to subscribe to Life Is A Journey, send an email to: prairietramper@gmail.com