Today is Sept. 6,2012
I am sitting at Brighton beach on the shore of Lake Superior, in Duluth.
This beach is one of my favorite spots to come and hang out.
I am here in Duluth because my mom is having a breast biopsy tomorrow.

As I sit at the beach, longing for peace and quite...time to mourn Elias, and time to pray for my mom. Well, this older gentleman comes along, lays on a rock at the water's edge(the rock in the picture above.) to cool his face off with the cold lake water. I found myself irritated at his presence. Then the Lord reminded me of a time when I was a child, that I washed my face off at that very same spot while laying across that very same rock!

I looked at the man, greeted him, then  and told him my rememberance.. He proceeded to share his memories of playing here as a child as well. Then he told me his mom passed away a month ago. He read her journals she left for him. In those journals she shared on how lonely she was iin her grieving after her husband died. How she had allot of friends, but at night and alone the grief overwhelmed her.

The gentelman then asked why I was here. I told him of my mom. I was not able to mention my anguished heart over the loss of Elias and the fear that the end may be near for my mom. I was afraid that the tears would be as deep as the Lake was.

Thank you for using that man to know that our grieving is universal and that You Lord, know my thoughts. I was surprised that the gentleman shared his heart so openly and in just a moments time, he was remembering his dear mom. I know I was there for that moment for that man, and that he was there for me. God knew we both needed to share our grief. I didn't even ask his name, nor did he ask me mine. I pray for this man...Lord make yourself know to him and please comfort him in his grief.

I am reminded of the scripture that says, "He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.