Be Silent and Remember
Tomorrow is Remembrance day. We need to spend at least 2 minutes in silence listening to the Lord’s voice about this day. What are His thoughts? What does He want you to remember?
Today is 5-minute Friday. The clock is set and I am ready to write for 5 minutes. 5-Minute Friday is the only time that I write directly into my computer. I always write in a notebook and then transfer my thoughts to my blog. So no editing..
Timer set: GO
I remember as a child having Remembrance Day services in our school. Very hushed. We filed in as quietly as we could and sat down. There were readings and some music (sometimes bagpipes). We were told about what war was and how and why our country fought for the freedom of all mankind.
My Dad was a captain in the World War II. He landed on Juno Beach in the first wave across the sea. I can’t imagine the feeling – sea sickness, terror. My dad never felt sick. I believe he rested all his thoughts on Jesus. He went from one minute to the next.
But he returned home. Found my Mom. Got married and had 2 daughters. He didn’t talk much about that day.
But I am sure that silence was a welcome reprieve from all the gun fire.
I believe that he found peace in that silence and knew God was there with them.
God was there. Crying with them. Struggling with them.
I always get teary eyed at this time of year. I remember all that those men did. I think of the wives, and mothers at home – waiting.
The silence of waiting – not knowing.
That must have been awful. But I do believe that God brought peace to those women. If He could bring peace to my Dad – then peace can be found in any situation.
Do you take time to have silence before God? It is essential to finding peace. Try it.
……
Timer went. Lots more to have said.
But sometimes silence is better.
Remember tomorrow to take a moment and be quiet before God for all those who served before and serve now for our freedom.
As a child we recited In Flanders Fields by Major John McCrae. I can still say this from memory.
Here it is for you now:
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Let us remember. Let us never forget.
My pictures today are done in watercolour pencil crayons. I am taking a course in pencil crayons and need to buy some. But I tried it with watercolour pencils. My background was an old piece of watercolour – background, on 140 pound watercolour paper. It is not smooth. It’s supposed to be smooth for pencil crayons. But I learned a lot. Pencil crayons is all about LAYERS. More on that in another post.
Here are the first 2 versions before I used the water on the last one.
Have you tried pencil crayons? Which version of this poppy do you like?
May you remember on November 11 to stop for 2 minutes of silence.
Here are a few other posts about the Poppy.
How to Remember Remembrance Day
Blessings
Janis
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BEautiful watercolurs, Janice, and I LOVE the photos of your parents. your dad was so brave. What a time to live through.
Michael,
It was quite the time to live through. And all the talk about trust, faith and just taking it day by day, must have come into play during that time. I love old photos and think I will be using more of them in the days ahead.
Blessings
Janis
Aw. Your dad’s amazing. A hero.
Thanks for sharing your story. Beautiful tribute to this occasion.
Lux,
Thank you. Sorry I am so late replying.
Blessings
Janis
This is beautiful! My thoughts on the FMF prompt were along the same lines today. Thanks for sharing part of your dad’s story!
Thanks Lesley,
I visited your site too. Great to see you here. I popped a picture of my Mom and Dad on the post after you saw it if you wanted to pop back.
Blessings
Janis