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Galatians 6:9 – So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. (NSRV)
In the early 1900s, Wilfrid Huot and his young family relocated from Quebec, Canada, to the rugged, rural, unorganized township of Bigwood in northern Ontario, Canada. Around 1921, he fenced off a one-acre portion of his property from the rest of his large farm and became the sole proprietor of an unconsecrated burial ground on his land for the exclusive use of the farmers who lived in the area around his farm to bury their dead. They did this instead of travelling miles to the consecrated Catholic Church cemetery. After Wilfrid's death in 1941 at the age of 62, the burial ground was closed and became a secret to all but the local families.
Unbeknownst to me, the Holy Spirit selected me to finish the job for Wilfrid, who would have wanted to have the old, forgotten, burial ground to be remembered and respected. He assigned me, a stranger from southern Ontario, to travel over 200 miles from the big city to rural Ontario to finish the task.
In the winter of 1991, I bought the farm as a recreational summer property. Since the burial ground was never separated with its own deed from the rest of the farm, any buyer who bought the property purchased all of the land, including what was on it.
Colossians 3:23 – Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your masters. (NRSV)
Upon realizing the problem, I asked myself, "Why me?" The answer was, "Why not you!" This assignment was for the dear departed individuals who were buried in the burial ground and left forgotten.
We know that we must trust in Jesus and not fear the outcome of any situation, and we are reminded that "nothing will be impossible with God". (Luke 1:37 NRSV) So, I turned to Him for guidance and direction. This was going to be a task that I would have to do, because I couldn't get out of it. For the next five years, I spent a considerable amount of time, energy, and financial resources to get the burial ground recognized under the Cemeteries Act of Canada. Was it an easy task? No! At that time, I believe that I became unofficially the first female person to own a cemetery in Canada. Then, in December 2021, our faithful Father stepped in again and enabled me to gift the old cemetery (1921-2021) to the city in that location. For hundreds of years to come, this cemetery will be protected.
Are you ready for your assignment from God? Be willing to take it on and do whatever is necessary.
Prayer: Our heavenly Father, if there is something here on earth that we can do for You, then let us know what it is, and guide us through the process. We want to be ready, willing, and able to do Your will and to be an instrument for You. Amen.
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Tuesday, December 3, 2024 – In Canada — Pray for those in small or rural churches, many of whom are struggling without adequate leaders or funds to minister to their communities. Give them faith and courage to reach out to neighbours and those who are not involved in worship and fellowship. Pray for their dependence on God to grow as they trust him for guidance and provision.
Pray: "December 3, 2024: Asking prayers for a young man , Ben who is suffering with brain cancer —..." 
A wonderful gift, Yvonne.
Thank you for sharing a beautiful story.
AH!!
So you have other experiences in “Grave Matters” than just in my backyard!!!
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us and for your service to the community. Blessings.
What a story, Yvonne, and it is a perfect example of that scripture.
Thank you.
(Texas)
Amen Yvonne….indeed we CAN do all things through Him who strengthens us.
Blessings.
Good morning, Yvonne,
Thank you for your good words. You did a wonderful thing preserving the graves.
Blessings.
I am intrigued by the sacred burial sites. My wife and I enjoy walking through cemeteries because of the history of the village or area and stories the grave markers tell us. Thank you, Yvonne, for the vivid reminder. Blessing.
Yvonne – What an amazing assignment you accepted and carried through.
With God, all things are possible, even though our human imagination may falter at times.
Well done.
Yvonne, Thank you for your good example of leaning on God for strength and endurance for hard and long commitments to do the right thing. “He giveth more strength when the burdens grow greater” is one of my favorite lines from a popular song.
Dear Yvonne. Bless you for letting yourself be led by the Holy Spirit. This was a very timely read for me today. I so enjoy when the Lord opens up my eyes. Praise the Lord.
Have a wonderful day.
Thank you for preserving that cemetery. Our modern world tries to pretend death doesn’t happen – no service, no memorials, etc. I find old cemeteries a wonderful source of history and reflection and holiness.
Well done, you.
Good Morning
Thank you for your devotion.
On a personal note, I grew up north of Sudbury thus I know where Bigwood is.
Every blessing to you.
Thank you, Yvonne, for the courage, tenacity, and sensitivity in your actions regarding the cemetery. Thank you for sharing. I was choked with emotion with the respect you have shown for those “long-dead” but not forgotten.
Blessings on you and yours.
(ON)
Good morning, Yvonne,
Well this is definitely an unusual devotional and I admire your dedication to make this happen. I can understand you asking, “Why me?” I am sure you feel good having accomplished this feat.
Your message is a good one that God has plans for us and He will be there to help us fulfill them. Blessings.
Hi Yvonne, I found your devotion on Presbycan daily devotional dated Wednesday November 22nd very inspirational. I fell into the job at my church of organizing the worship teams for a few months until I finish hiring a new music director. I was charged with the responsibility of replacing our previous music director. So with very little musical experience I’m asking God, “why me?” He has been helping me every step of the way and I’m starting to embrace it. Your story is just another confirmation that we can take things on when we submit to God’s will and guidance. Thank you for your devotion.
Good morning, Yvonne,
We listened to your devotional this morning after breakfast. Good words indeed.
When we lived on 4 acres on the outskirts of town, I found out that there was a gravestone on the property next to ours. The very first settler on that property was buried there. As time went by, the property was sold and The new owner’s grandchildren destroyed the gravesite and we think threw the stone in the creek behind the house. Someone who used to live there came to me about the grave, he wanted to see it, but we couldn’t find it anymore. You did a good thing with the graves on your property.
Thank you for writing.
It’s been voiced before, but all I can say is “God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform.”
Thanks for your faithfulness,
(BC)
Dear Yvonne.
I loved reading your devotional, and I look after a fairly large cemetery where several generations of my family live.
I just wanted to let you know you are not the first woman to own a cemetery. My dear friend who turned 90 yesterday owns a Cemetery in Ontario. No one pays for plots, a few families are buried there, and their descendants just come in and pick a spot. The only money that comes in is on the day of their Memorial service.
Yes, we have been given a huge task and some days I do ask myself why, but then I remember those who went before and the work they did for our Lord, building churches which still stand and are being attended by 5th generations later.
We are here to serve and glorify His name.
Blessings.