Sunset and Evening Star Ruth Smith Meyer

“From them will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of rejoicing. (NIV)
 Thanksgivings will pour out of the windows; laughter will spill through the doors.” (CV))   Jeremiah 30:19

Someone in close proximity to the cottage where our family has spent the last seventeen Thanksgiving weekends, could well testify to the truth of this statement. There was much rejoicing and happy laughter.  

The tradition of spending such a weekend together began when my husband and their dad and grandpa died on Thanksgiving weekend in 1999. We tried out a few different locations before we found this gem near Bayfield on Lake Huron, and we have returned ever since. From Friday night to Monday we live and laugh and love together.

The weekend always includes some reminiscing.  In the beginning, we often looked at family slides and pictures and read the little booklet of memories Norman had shared before his death.  In 2005, a few months before we married, Paul joined us and got a close look at the family of which he was anticipating become a part. It went well, for we never left a weekend that he didn’t say with a contented sigh on the way home, “I love spending time with your family!”

This year, even though my second grandson couldn’t be with us we were especially thankful for him.  Seven weeks ago, he suffered an accident that could so easily have killed him.  Although the accommodations weren’t adequate for his needs, he was at home recuperating quite well. We kept in close contact, texting him often.

We of course, missed Paul too, but I rejoiced to have my family around me and felt delight and gratitude bubbling up inside so often during the time we were together. 

Psalm 107:8-9 says “He put your feet on a wonderful road that took you straight to a good place to live. So thank God for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves”

Sometimes, from my perspective, it has appeared less than a straight path, but often on what I perceived as detours of difficulty, his miracle mercy has been evident.

Our family always make sure we have our evening meal early enough to be at the lakeside to see the sunset.  Saturday night was nice. Sunday night I breathed a prayer of thanksgiving and added a small request that God would let me know that he will be with me as I go on my life journey without a spouse to share my life.  It looked as though the sunset may be less than spectacular, but I was content. 

Ten minutes later, the clouds burst into radiance.  The whole sky from side to side, and even to the east, put on a breath-taking display that lasted for some time. The colours were so varied and gorgeous. Each  minute bought its own hues.  It felt like a direct answer to my prayer and filled me with assurance and heartfelt praise.     

 Apparently that sunset wasn’t just for me.  I saw many pictures of it on Facebook this week.  It was seen by many people from quite an area.  I hope it blessed those other photographers as much as it did me.

In the days since, my heart says with the Psalmist, “I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.”  Psalm 9:1