Don't Wait

We are a vanishing mist.

Category: COVID-19

Yonder Breaks a New and Glorious Morn!

December 12, 2020 /

I’m currently doing a book study with a group of girls from church called “Advent: The Weary World Rejoices” by Lifeway Women which can be ordered HERE.  I was drawn in rather quickly by this book simply by the title which is, of course, a line from the well-known Christmas carol “O Holy Night.”

A thrill of hope

The weary world rejoices

Do you identify with that second line?  I know I certainly do, especially at the current time we’re living in.  During this year, I’ve seen more division than I’ve ever seen in my 44 years of life.  The Covid-19 pandemic alone has divided people on many levels.  Masks vs. No masks.  To quarantine or not to quarantine?  Vaccine or no vaccine?  Shut down businesses to protect people or let the virus run its course?

And then there’s the loneliness that is being experienced by nearly everyone.  Elderly people in nursing homes are unable to see their families, people who are housebound due to age or a disability are further isolated in order to protect them, and the immunocompromised have to be selective about with whom they have direct contact.

Some families have chosen not to get together to celebrate birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other holidays in order to slow the spread of the disease.  Children are confined to their homes the majority of the time and if they live in an area where they are allowed to attend school they are kept 6 feet away from their teachers and peers.  As I wrote in THIS post back when the pandemic first started, we were not created to be socially distant.

And how about the racial division?  I’m ready for the dissension to be behind us.  I hate to see people full of so much hatred and hurt lashing out at each other.  I long for peace on earth, but in my opinion I don’t think that is realistically attainable on this side of heaven.  

We’re weary, but yet we can rejoice.  Think of all of the years of waiting for the birth of Jesus.  Imagine not hearing from God for 400 years.  What FAITH it must have taken to trust that even though He was silent, the long awaited King would one day arrive.  Thankfully, He did indeed arrive and now here we are over 2,000 years past that sacred night awaiting His return.  We’re worn down by life as we know it and long for our heavenly home.  This is where our hope must lie.  The fact that this world will soon be behind us is the reason that we can rejoice.  

For yonder breaks, a new and glorious morn

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

As I was praying about this post, this next line popped in my head.  We can have confidence in knowing that no matter how hard this life gets, a new and glorious morn is in the distance.  We are to press forward toward the goal as Paul instructs us to do in Philippians 3.  If you are a Christ follower as I am, then you are just passing through.  Our 70-80 years here on earth are miniscule compared to eternity in the glorious home that we are headed towards.

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.  ~ Philippians 3:20-21

Our perspective should be an eternal one.  This world will pass away!  Our lives are but a mist (James 4:14).  I have never longed for heaven more than I do right now.  I have never identified more with what Paul said in Philippians 1:21-23:

For to me, living means opportunities for Christ, and dying—well, that’s better yet!  But if living will give me more opportunities to win people to Christ, then I really don’t know which is better, to live or die!  Sometimes I want to live, and at other times I don’t, for I long to go and be with Christ. How much happier for me than being here!

Oh how I feel this deep in my soul!  I can often feel an ache within as I yearn to be in my heavenly home where I will spend an eternity with my creator and lover of my soul.  But, for now, I am here which gives me more time to share Christ with those around me.  This brings me to one of my life verses.

But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.  ~ Acts 20:24

As Christ-followers, we have the hope that so many are longing for.  Our lives are pointless if we don’t share it with others.  We don’t have the time to wait.  Now is the time to share with them that a new and glorious morn is coming!  We are holding this gift in our hearts and we must share it.  

It’s easy to see that there are so many who are looking for hope and security in the wrong ways.  For some, it’s a vaccine.  For others, it’s national and state leaders.  And this list goes on indefinitely: money, job security, prestige, fame, house, spouse, pastor, government…there are countless ways that people try to fill themselves.  But, these things only bring temporary pleasure.

And let me add a little disclaimer here.  I am no better.  I certainly get swept up in the cares of the world and forget where my focus should be.  I get tired and overwhelmed and instead of looking to Jesus for answers, I try to do things myself.  I make things of this world my idol, often thinking these may fill me.  But, they don’t!  That’s when he brings me gently back in and reminds me that He is all I need.  If I have the answer to the unsettledness that I at times feel, why wouldn’t I share it with others?

Things are a bit tricky and it’s hard to reach out to people with the current pandemic, so you may have to get creative.  There are some who wouldn’t feel comfortable being over for dinner, but maybe you could drop off a plate of cookies.  Or who doesn’t love getting a card or letter in the mail?  A face to face conversation may not be possible, but a phone call would work, too.  Strive to build relationships so that you can share the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7) that so many people are longing for.

No matter how worn out you are, don’t lose heart.  Our eternal reward is on the horizon.  The greatest way to find complete peace is to focus first on Jesus, and then on others.  He tells us to first love Him with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength and then to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31).  Let’s get our eyes off of our own weariness and focus on serving others so that they can experience the promise that we have of a new and glorious morn.  Let’s rejoice even in our lassitude as we pass the reason for our thrill of hope to those around us.  And whatever you do, DON’T WAIT!!!

Strength for the 2020-2021 School Year

September 4, 2020 /

This will probably be a shorter post than most because I am currently busy preparing for our 17th year of homeschooling.  Even though I have been doing this for many years, I still get a bit anxious at the beginning of every school year.  Will I be able to meet the educational needs of each child?  Have I chosen the curriculum for each of them that suits their learning style best?  Is each child registered for enough extra curricular activities?  And then there are the little ones to consider that I babysit in order to be able to contribute financially to our family (and because I need a baby fix every single day).  Will I be able to give them the attention that they need?  Do I have enough educational activities planned for them to keep them engaged while I am teaching my children?  There’s so much to think about and plan!

I’ve noticed a similar anxiousness from many of my friends who have children in public or private school this year.  With COVID-19 hovering over the entire world, we are all facing uncharted territory for us all.  Parents are asking questions such as, “How will I work and help my children with their schoolwork all at the same time?  Should I send my children to school or keep them home to do school online?  How will my children fare as they are home day after day instead of at school with their friends?  If I decide to send my child, will they catch covid?”  There are just so many unknowns which have caused a sense of fear and unsettledness in many.

I was texting a friend last week and she was sharing with me her concerns for this next year.  She works from home and has 4 children under the age of 7.  When school starts back, she will be juggling the schoolwork of 2 school age children, her own work schedule, plus her 3 year old and baby.  She was expressing how incredibly stressed she was as I was processing my own upcoming school year.  I was feeling a bit overwhelmed for both of us when I came across a scripture that I have decided will be my Bible passage to focus on for the 2020-2021 school year.  I think it’s one that every parent should keep in mind as we face this next year of uncertainty.  

5  Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.  6  He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. 7  “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. 8  He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

~ Jeremiah 17:5-8

As usual, the Lord gave me exactly what I need to face this year through this scripture.  He reminded me that if I try to rely on my own strength, I will fail.  I will shrivel up and won’t have the strength to carry on.  Life will remain overwhelming because I can’t make it on my own.  WIthout trusting in Him, my mind and heart will be filled with trepidation.

But, when we trust in Him and read His Word daily, we are REFRESHED!  We don’t have to fear the year ahead, even when we know ahead of time that the days are going to be TOUGH.  We can rest in Him as we know for certain that He will daily give us what we need to make it through every single day.  And notice that we won’t just barely make it through.  The end of the last verse says, “for it does not cease to bear fruit.”  That means this tree is not wilted and barely hanging on, but it is very much healthy and alive!  So, not only will we survive, we will also continue to be productive, full of life and growth.  

While writing this post, I was also reminded of the Children of Israel as they wandered through the desert.  When they woke each morning, there was fresh manna on the ground to give them the strength for that day.  But, they couldn’t hoard it and save it until the next or it would spoil and be filled with worms.  They had to simply trust God to give them the new manna that they needed each and every morning.  Right now it’s easy to look and wonder if we will have what we need for each day that we are about to face.  When we climb into bed each night we can easily be weary from all that we’ve just had to juggle and wonder how we will make it through the next 24 hours.  But, when we go to Him each morning, He will give us new strength for that upcoming day.  And we can’t just read His Word occasionally and expect it to hold us over.  Remember, when the Israelites tried to use the manna from previous days, it wasn’t possible. Thus, we have to draw from Him daily.

One of my absolute favorite places to sit in Smoky Mountain National Park

Don’t fret about tomorrow.  Or next week.  Or the next year.   Trusting in yourself or man will cause you to be anxious and fear this coming year that we are facing. Jesus said in Matthew 6:34, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Instead, put your roots down in Him.  Drink daily from the water that only He can give and you will never thirst again (John 4:14).  You can trust in Him knowing that just as He gave the Israelites the manna that they needed each morning, He will give you exactly what you need to face each day.  Decide today to trust Him.  And whatever you do, DON’T WAIT!

Above All, Put on Love, Part 2

July 31, 2020 /

In my last post found HERE, we looked at Colossians 3:12 where we are told to put on compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience just as Jesus did. This is especially vital during this day and age where there is such division in our country. Today we will move on and look at Colossians 3:13 and the necessity of forgiveness.

“…bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other, as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”

Unforgiveness is something that I battled for ages. If someone offended me or treated me unfairly, I would hold onto the hurt and live as a victim. I kept myself in bondage unnecessarily, but thankfully the Lord wanted me to be free from this. He has had to work in me over the years and I’ve found that the journey of correction is often tough. I’d love to share the story of one such lesson that he taught me many years ago.

Several years ago, my husband worked for an organization that was Christian based. Our entire family was heavily involved in his work and much of our social circle was comprised of people involved in this particular organization. His job was our life. Unfortunately, things went sour and my husband was let go. It was determined that he was not a good fit for the position. After a few days, the shock wore off and bitterness and anger began creeping in.

How could this happen to our family? This decision did not just affect my husband. It affected our entire family. We had to give up friendships and a huge part of our lives. We had put so much time and energy in and sacrificed countless hours, only to be let go.

My reaction in this situation was anything but Christlike. I distanced myself from all Christians and “took a break” from church. I stewed in my resentment for several months but hated the way I felt. I began asking the Lord to help me to forgive because I was tired of feeling heavy and angry. I slowly began going back to church and on one particular Sunday, our pastor spoke on forgiveness. I was to the point in the process that I couldn’t even figure out how to move forward. I felt stuck. During the sermon, I began to realize what I needed to do.

The next day, I contacted the leader of the organization as well as a few others and we met for a chat. The only agenda for the meeting was for me to apologize for the way I handled things. I wasn’t there to point fingers or rehash any of the details. I was simply there with a repentant heart to confess my wrongdoing and to ask for forgiveness for my attitude. To be honest, they didn’t even know that I had held onto things as long as I had. Yet, I knew that I had to apologize.

That night, the Lord completely healed my heart. The hurt and bitterness were gone and I was able to look at the situation with a completely different perspective. I knew that the leader of this organization as well as everyone else involved (including us) were humans. We’re all broken people and none of us are perfect. The situation was two-sided and both sides no doubt contributed to the issue. We all learned valuable lessons from the situation as a whole and God has brought restoration to the relationships. As a matter of fact, I ran into a few of them within the last year and was able to hug them with genuine love and talk to them without one ounce of ill feelings.

Have any of you ever struggled with this? Is there anyone in your life that you need to forgive? How easy it is to get our feelings hurt and hold onto the grievances that we feel. We get upset when our Facebook friends don’t agree with us and then we hang onto our negative feelings. Or if receive hate just because of the color of our skin (and I am talking to all races here), we let that fester and influence our relationships. But, we are called to forgive!

St. Augustine said, “Resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.” 9 times out of 10 when you are carrying around bitterness, anger, and resentment, the other person has gone on living their life without a thought of you. Carrying this baggage around hurts no one except you. When my husband was let go of his job, I put myself in prison. His employer went on living while I sat feeling sorry for my husband and our family. That was so much time wasted!

We are often so quick to judge others without looking at ourselves first and realizing that we are no better. Nor do we look at the consequences of our judgment. Jesus gave us a clear illustration of this in Matthew 7:1-5. The first 2 verses say this:

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

These verses get me every time I read them. The way I judge others is the way I will be judged. I don’t know about you, but I have no desire to be judged harshly. If I want to be shown mercy, I must first show mercy to others. I remind my children all the time that when someone lashes out at them it’s important to look at the entire situation. More than likely, the person who has hurt them has been hurt by someone else. Or maybe they have reacted out of fear. It’s easy to see that the social unrest and division that our country is experiencing stems largely from fear and pain. Many are terrified of COVID, so they are angry when they see people unmasked or not following guidelines. There are those who have been hurt by other races, so they are projecting their pain onto others. And then there are individuals who are anxious about the upcoming election results. They can’t understand why anyone would be a Trump or Biden supporter. They are terrified of the direction our country is heading, so they loudly voice their opinions. Grace should be shown in each of these situations.

And then Jesus uses a hyperbole to further drive home His point:

3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

The first time I read these verses I was somewhere around middle school age. I remember how strongly these words affected me. Could Jesus have made this any clearer? It’s easy to look at the little speck in the eyes of those around us without looking at ourselves first. Just a quick glance at ourselves will allow us to see the large, splintery plank hanging out of our own eye. So, we have a choice. We can judge others and let bitterness and resentment consume us in our day to day interactions, or we can offer unmerited grace just as Jesus offers to each of us and forgive those who have wronged us (or those with whom we do not agree).

Colossians 3:14, the last verse of the passage that this 2 part post began with, ties all of this up beautifully.

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Christ’s love is what will bind all of us together, no matter our differences. Without love, we cannot exhibit compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience which were discussed in my previous post. And without love, we cannot forgive.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. ~ 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

It’s easy to see that the qualities of love are the opposite of unforgiveness. We need to be patient and kind to each other, even when we disagree. Let’s work to honor others and put them above ourselves even when they hurt us. Fight against being easily angered and resist keeping a record of wrongs even when we feel our family has been treated unjustly. Instead, let’s make every effort to protect each other and persevere through our differences and disagreements. It’s what Jesus calls us to do. And always remember, DON’T WAIT!

Above All Put on Love, Part 1

July 23, 2020 /

Back in June, my husband encouraged me to take a 2-week social media break because I was so burdened by the things I was consistently reading. My anxiety was through the roof as I continuously felt as though I had an elephant sitting on my chest and that I had been kicked in the stomach. It’s common for me to carry other people’s burdens around even though that is not my job. I am so bothered by all that is going on around us, but not for the reason that you may think. I do not fear the election results or the direction our country is headed in because I know God is at the helm. I am not even fearful of the virus. I may get it. I may even die. But, that doesn’t bother me. I know Who holds my future and He has written every day He has for me in His book. Instead, I am grieved by the response of all humanity, especially the Church, to all that is going on. The racial division, the political disputes, the nasty comments and posts, the bickering back and forth, and the lack of compassion are disheartening.

4 weeks later, I am still on my 2-week social media break 😉 and I’m definitely feeling better. I’ve had to make a conscious effort to focus on God’s truth instead of the bitter vitriol that is being spewed among strangers, neighbors, friends, and even family.

It is vital, especially during these times in which we are living, for us to exhibit the very essence of who Jesus is. Truth has been so distorted that people no longer know which way is up. So many have lost their way and are consumed with self and what makes them feel good. Fear has gripped the hearts and minds of many throughout the entire world. The only answer to all of the turmoil going on around us is Jesus, so we must show them who He is by both our actions as well as our reactions.

As I was praying through all of this, I came across Colossians 3:12-14. These verses hold so much truth and I think we all need to dig deep into what they say. Let’s start with verse 12:

Put on then as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.

Let’s break this verse down. First, we are to put on compassion. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary says that compassion is the sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it. Wow! So, we aren’t supposed to just feel sympathy, but we are to have a desire to alleviate their distress. This makes me think of the racial division we are currently witnessing in our society. So, how can we show compassion? Perhaps with hearts to serve one another and by trying to understand one another. Let’s look for ways to alleviate the distress of our brothers and sisters (no matter the color of their skin) by serving them.

Next is kindness. Consider the kindness of Jesus. He touched the untouchable and healed the lepers. There was also the woman with an issue of blood who had a hemorrhage for 12 years and was legally deemed unclean. When she reached out just to touch the hem of His garment so that no one knew she was around, He not only healed her, but He stopped to acknowledge her. Jesus showed kindness to the unlovable. We are surrounded by many these days who feel unlovable, especially when they loudly voice their opinions that do not line up with ours. It’s easy to turn our backs and write them off because they are unreachable in our minds. But, perhaps showing kindness will soften their hearts. If they see anger from us instead of kindness, they will want no part of Jesus and all He has to offer.

Humility. I can think of no one as humble as Jesus. I cannot fathom being the creator of the universe, the savior of the world, and taking the form of a servant here on earth. Yet, He did. Just prior to His death, Jesus humbled Himself and washed the feet of His disciples. Their feet were no doubt caked in dirt and manure since roads were made of dirt and they wore sandals back in those times. What a symbol of love and humility! Even Judas who would betray Him, Peter who would deny Him not just once but 3 times, and Thomas who would doubt Him received this loving gesture.

And then there is meekness, which I believe is often misunderstood. This does not mean that we become timid doormats who let others walk all over us. The article “Who are the Meek? Why did Jesus say “Blessed are the Meek”? says this, “Meekness is not weakness. Sometimes we confuse the two. But the difference between a meek person and a weak person is this: a weak person can’t do anything. A meek person, on the other hand, can do something but chooses not to.” I love this so much! Jesus demonstrated this perfectly in Matthew 27:12-14 as He was brought before Pilate just hours before His crucifixion. “12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, ‘Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?’ 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.” If I am on social media or talking in person to someone that I do not agree with, I can show restraint. This doesn’t show weakness. It actually shows that I recognize that voicing my opinion can just cause more division. It’s ok if others don’t agree with me. I don’t have to always prove my point and I don’t need to defend my stand on the latest hot topic.

Lastly, we have patience. Paul says in 1 Timothy 1:15-16 that even though he was the “foremost” sinner, he was shown “perfect patience” by Jesus. Paul (formerly known as Saul before his conversion) was “ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison” (Acts 8:3). Even with this extreme persecution of Christians, Jesus chose to convert Saul. He didn’t lose His patience or write him off. He didn’t punish him or strike him down permanently. Instead, He showed Saul great mercy and chose him to carry His name. Paul went on to write 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament. Even those around us who are tearing down our faith and ridiculing us for our beliefs should be shown patience.

In my next post, we will move on to the next verse(s) in this passage. Until then, let’s really focus on striving to be like Jesus. When we see friends arguing over political matters or Christians vehemently disagreeing with each other, fight hard against participating in the division and instead show compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Showing these virtues may just be what pulls someone from the grip of fear that has them bound. Let’s show them the hope that can come from Jesus and Jesus alone. And whatever you do, Don’t Wait!

A Prayer of Protection For Your Family

April 23, 2020 /

I absolutely hate the damage that I see happenng to so many around me.  No matter how much people are trying to stay in touch, disconnection is happening.  Online church services are great.  Zoom meetings are serving their purpose (sort of).  Facetime calls allow some connection.  But, face to face, human interaction can never be replaced.  I’m still so bothered at the thought of people dying alone.  I’m sad for parents who have to send their children into hospitals all by themselves (this happened to a friend and it wasn’t even COVID-19 related).  I hurt for families who are unable to visit sick loved ones.  I personally know of people who have recently died from natural causes (totally unrelated to the virus) and friends and families are unable to grieve together due to social distancing. Instead, meals, cards, and flowers are being left on porches as they talk to and cry with their loved ones from at least 6 feet away. Those who live alone are desperately lonely.  People are feeling desperate because they’ve lost their job and have no clue how they’ll feed their families.  Suicides are beginning to occur because people are scared, lonely, and feel hopeless.  I recently heard the story of a 99 year old man who committed suicide because he felt our current circumstances signified the end of time and he couldn’t bear to see the end result.  Imagine that.  He lived NINETY-NINE YEARS.  NINETY-NINE!!!  Can you imagine the things he had lived through and the things he had seen?  Yet, fear overtook him.  I’m afraid we will see more and more of this in the days and months to come.  I’m fearful of the psychological damage that is being done to people all across the world.

So, what can we do to combat this?  How can we protect our children?  How can we fight back against the fear, depression, anxiety, and hopelessness?  For my family, I’ve been using Psalm 91.  I think many people have been reading this Psalm as a cry for physical protection which is great.  The Lord has impressed on me, though, to pray this for my family for spiritual protection.  Ephesians 6:12 (NIV) says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”  We have an enemy who is on the prowl.  He is walking around like a roaring lion seeking to devour us (1 Peter 5:8).  He WANTS us to feel despair.  He WANTS us to be depressed.  He enjoys watching us suffer.  He loves the hopelessness that many people are feeling presently.  We MUST be on guard.  Mommas, pray for your husbands and babies (no matter how old they are).  Daddies, pray for your wife and children.  Personalize Psalm 91 and pray this over your household.  

1 We who dwell in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 We will say to you Lord, “Our refuge and our fortress, our God in whom we trust.”

3 For you will deliver us from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.

Let me stop right there.  With all that our world is facing right now, we, of course, read “deadly pestilence” and think coronavirus.  But, can I tell you something?  Yes, God CAN protect us from earthly things such as disease.  He never promised that He will, though.  Instead, the deadly pestilence I think of here is Satan’s schemes, spiritual harm.  God will absolutely protect us and deliver us from the things that can harm us spiritually.  And THAT’S what matters.  That’s where our hope lies.  

4 You will cover us with your pinions, and under your wings we will find refuge; and your faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

5 We will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

We will not fear the pestilence.  I was looking at the commentary “Barnes’ Notes on the Bible,” and this is what he said about the phrase “the pestilence that stalks in darkness” (Psalm 91:6)  (think of the coronavirus as you read this).  “Not that it particularly comes in the night, but that it seems to creep along as if in the night; that is, where one cannot mark its progress, or anticipate when or whom it will strike. The laws of its movements are unknown, and it comes upon people as an enemy that suddenly attacks us in the night.”  Sound familiar?  I’ve heard countless people say that this virus can be anywhere at any time and we will obviously have no clue because we cannot see it.  We have no clue whom it will strike next.  But, we cannot fear it because it cannot take our souls.  Our souls are what matter and spiritually, God has us covered with His wings.  

7 A thousand may fall at our side, ten thousand at our right hand, but it will not come near us.

8 We will only look and see the recompense of the wicked.

Think of that!  Satan is hurling thoughts of fear at our families.  He’s heaving the idea of hopelessness at us.  But, through God’s protection, he cannot come near us.  We will only look and see what he’s trying, but he will simply fall by our side.

9 Because we have made you, Lord, our dwelling place – the Most High, who is our refuge – 

10 no evil shall be allowed to befall us, no plague come near our tent.

Once again, this is not saying that we will never suffer physical harm.  A relationship with God does not ensure us an easy, pain free life.  It’s actually quite the opposite.   Though He loves us,  adores us, He allows pain.  Actually, BECAUSE he loves and adores us, He allows pain.  This pain perfects us, refines us, makes us more like Christ.  Instead, the plague that will not come near our tent is Satan.  The next time he tries to whisper lies to you, remember that when we dwell in the shelter of God and call Him our refuge, our fortress, our God, he cannot befall us.

11 For you will command your angels concerning us to guard us in all our ways.

12 On their hands they will bear us up, lest we strike our foot against a stone.

13 We will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent we will trample underfoot.

14 Because we hold fast to you in love, you will deliver us; You will protect us because you know our name.

He knows your name!  The creator of the universe knows your name.  He commands His angels to guard your thoughts and your mind.  Pray this for your family that you will be protected from that which can harm you spiritually.

15 When we call to you, you will answer us; You will be with us in trouble; You will rescue us and honor us.

16 With long life you will satisfy us and show us your salvation.

Think about the long life He will give us.  Once again, we aren’t looking with our human eyes, but instead with our spiritual eyes.  My dad was an amazing Christian man and the Lord saw fit to take him at the age of 37.  He didn’t live a long life here on earth.  The long life He will give us is in our heavenly home.  We are just passing through here.  The burdens of this world are only momentary when compared to eternity.

I copied this Psalm in my journal and have been praying it over our family every single day.  Here is the prayer I wrote at the bottom of the page:

“Lord, please hear us.  Protect us.  And not necessarily physically.   Pray we’ll all have our eyes on you and only you.  We can’t look at everything around us.  

Protect us spiritually.  I’m not concerned with physical – no matter what happens, I know eternity is all that matters.  I pray that all six of us plus future spouses and generations to come will follow you and YOU ALONE.  I do not fear physical threats.  Protect us, though, from spiritual threats.”

God’s desire is to cover us with His feathers. He wants to be our shield and buckler.  I encourage you to pray against the possible psychological effects that this period in history can have on your family.  Fear, despair, depression, and hopelessness are what Satan wants us to feel.  But, we have the HOPE and PROMISE of our God who will use all things for our good and who will answer us and be with us in trouble.  Keep your eyes on Him.  Don’t look to the right or to the left.  Ask Him to protect your family both spiritually and mentally.  And whatever you do, DON’T WAIT!

Today I Cried

April 7, 2020 /

Written Sunday, April 5

I’ve been handling the tragedy that our world is facing pretty well.  I’ve been keeping positive, spending time with Jesus everyday, and simply trusting that He is in control.  But, today, I cried. I’m not a crier. I probably have a good cry MAYBE 5 times a year. It takes a lot to get me there and usually it’s hormones that push me over the edge.  Today, though, I had a cry that was not hormone-related and was several weeks coming.   

This morning, my husband and I got up early and arrived at Target right as it opened.  We knew that was the only way we’d get some of the items that we needed. The number of people in masks and gloves, the red circles that were 6 feet apart indicating where to stand at the check-out, the sneeze guards that are now between the cashier and the customer, and the weird dance we constantly had to do in order to reach products on the shelves without getting into other people’s 6 feet of personal space made me feel so heavy.  We then headed to Aldi which pushed me beyond what I thought I could handle. But, let me say this loud and clear. My faith still runs deep. I in no way doubt God or question His control. What I’m feeling, instead, is something that my Uncle Jim summed up perfectly in his comment on THIS blog post. I’m feeling sorrow.

Sorrow:  a feeling of deep distress caused by loss, disappointment, or other misfortune suffered by oneself or others. ~ dictionary.com

Read that definition again.  I think sorrow is something that every single person in the world has felt in the last few months.  I’m honestly not feeling sorrow for me. I’m feeling sorrow for the people of the world. Being out in public today brought all of the feelings deep within me to the surface and they emerged as soon as I sat down in my van.  My thoughts were a jumbled mess, so my husband took the extra long way home and listened as I sobbed and worked through all of my thoughts.  

Today I cried for all of the coronavirus victims that are in the hospital fighting for their lives all by themselves because their family members can’t stay with them.  I know a nurse who is working the front lines in a COVID hospital directly with patients who have the virus. She has talked about the fear in people’s eyes as they are being dropped off at the door.  These people are terrified as they have no idea what their next few days will hold and they have no family with them to comfort them.  

Today I cried for everyone who has had to drop a family member off at the hospital and couldn’t stay because of the risk of being infected themselves.  I can’t imagine dropping my mom, husband, or anyone else for that matter off at a hospital and then leaving. All I can think is, “God be with them.”

Today I cried for the people who have to die alone.  I’ve heard stories of families who have had to say goodbye through FaceTime or over the phone.  I truly have nothing else to say about that. It’s beyond heartbreaking. 

Today I cried for family members who can’t be with their loved ones during their final hours.  I had the privilege of being with my mother-in-law as she was transitioning from this life to heaven and there was no place I would have rather been.  Holding her hand and comforting her during her last hours did my heart so much good. It brought closure. I can’t imagine thinking of her dying alone.  So many people are not able to have this closure and the peace that comes from comforting their dying loved one during their final moments of life.

Today I cried for the people who have lost friends or family members (and not just from coronavirus) and are unable to grieve among family members due to social distancing. When we lose someone dear to us, the only tiny bit of comfort we are often able to find is within our family and friends who are experiencing the same emotions.  Being with loved ones who are also grieving brings a small sense of peace. I know of people who are currently grieving alone. Wives who have lost husbands, parents who have lost children, daughters who have lost fathers, sisters who have lost brothers. Can you imagine the loneliness and despair they must feel?   

Today I cried for the people who are having to watch the funerals of their loved one that lives states away over FaceTime and other platforms because unnecessary travel is forbidden.  There are funerals that are taking place with only a handful of people because groups of 10 or more are forbidden.  So much comfort can be found during visitations/wakes and funerals as people file through expressing their condolences and sharing fond memories and kind words about your loved one.  I can think of no greater way to honor someone’s life. But, that just isn’t possible at this time.

Today I cried for small business owners.  These people have put their heart and soul into their businesses.  They’ve invested their life savings into their companies. This is their livelihood and now they have no clue what will happen.  They’ve had to close shop and just hope and pray they can survive. They have family members and employees depending on them, but their hands are tied.   

Today I cried for the people who have lost their jobs or who will lose their jobs.  I have heard people continuously say they have been calling to apply for unemployment benefits for weeks, but they can’t get through because the Department of Labor’s system is overloaded.  I know we have a long road ahead of us and it’s going to take our economy a very long time to recover from this.  

Once my tears were dry, I began processing what had just happened.  “I really do trust you, God. Please don’t mistake my tears as mistrust.”  He gently reminded me of when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. He had received word that his good friend Lazarus was sick and had died.  So, Jesus, along with his disciples, headed to Judea so that He could heal Lazarus and raise him back up. As He was getting closer to the tomb, Mary, the sister of Lazarus, ran out to meet Him.  She was crying, no doubt sobbing, as she fell at the feet of Jesus. When He saw Mary and the Jews that were with her crying, “he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled,” (John 11:33). Jesus then began to weep himself.  But why? He knew He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead. He cried because He felt sorrow for His friends. He experienced that deep distress caused by loss and misfortune. Even though He knew the outcome, He was moved deeply in His spirit and felt troubled.  As this story came to mind, I went to www.biblehub.com and looked at a commentary to find out more about why Jesus cried.  Barnes Notes on the Bible says this, “It is right, it is natural, it is indispensable for the Christian to sympathize with others in their afflictions. Romans 12:15; “rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”  

If you are feeling sorrow during this time in our world’s history, do not feel bad about shedding tears.  Jesus himself did as He saw the grief that His friends were experiencing. On March 23, Max Lucado posted a simple sentence on his Facebook page.  It said this, “Grant yourself a good meltdown.” It’s ok to cry. It’s ok to feel sorrow. It does not show a lack of faith. It shows compassion, just as Jesus had.   Don’t Wait to let your emotions out. It’s normal. It’s biblical. It’s healing.

Social Distancing: We Were Not Created For This

March 23, 2020 /

Social Distancing:  the practice of maintaining a greater than usual physical distance from other people or of avoiding direct contact with people or objects in public places during the outbreak of a contagious disease in order to minimize exposure and reduce the transmission of infection.  ~ Mirriam Webster Dictionary

I’m really struggling with this whole social distancing thing.  This is not how we are wired. We were created for community. The Godhead Himself exists in community.  God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. When God created Adam,  “The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’” Genesis 2:18 (NIV).  God then brought all of the animals He had created to Adam to see what he would name them. When he was finished, no suitable helper was found.  I had never noticed this before. Out of everything God had already created, there was nothing fit for Adam. Another human being was the only creation that could meet Adam’s needs.  We were made for human interaction. 

I thought I was handling things well until yesterday morning.  We watched our church’s live stream which happened thanks to a very small handful of people.  Just seeing our pastors and worship team and reading comments from our church family affected me way more than I thought it would.  I miss the feeling of community. I miss the deep relationships. I miss the physical contact. I just miss them.

And it’s not just church that I miss.  I miss going for walks and passing people without having to move 6 feet from them.  I miss going to the grocery store and seeing people who are relaxed and are ok with a little chit-chat.  Instead, I see people with fear in their eyes wearing masks and having to wait in line behind pieces of tape at the register so they don’t get too close to the person in front of them.  I miss meeting friends for lunch or coffee at a restaurant. I wish my kids could invite their friends over as we normally do, but we just can’t take any chances. I want my kids to be able to go for walks without having to worry about people yelling out their car windows because they shouldn’t be walking close together (this actually happened to a family in our neighborhood).  I don’t know when life will be normal again and it just makes me sad.  

Trust me, I get it.  I really do. For the sake of our older generation as well as people who are immunocompromised, this is the safest way.  As I shared in last week’s post, my mom and stepdad are in their 70’s. My father-in-law and his wife are in the same age bracket.  My grandfather is 91. All 5 of these people whom I love very much have had health scares in the last few years. Thoughts of them are what remind me of why we’re socially distant at this time.  We must protect the generations ahead of us as well as friends and family with underlying health issues. These are the people that will keep me going.

So, how do we get through the next several weeks like this?  After watching church online yesterday morning and decided to take a walk.  I bundled up (because it’s still pretty cold up here in the northeast) and my husband decided to go with me.  I have to tell you, the deep, uninterrupted conversation as well as the fresh air and sunshine did my heart and mind good.  During these long days, I have decided that I MUST connect with my husband alone every day. That will give us time to vent, talk through the latest scary news, share how we feel our kids are handling things, and talk about anything else that comes up, no matter how big or small. This way, we are not bogging down our children with our own feelings.  If you are a parent, I would encourage you to do the same. Our kids are a bit older, so it’s easy for us to go for a walk or ride without them. But, if you have little ones, set aside time at night or in the morning. It’s easy to get caught up in the craziness around us and neglect that all-important time with our husbands/wives. If you are a single parent, find a friend that you can talk to.  I feel this is vital at this time.

I would also encourage you to find time to get outside when the weather allows and also exercise in some way, even if it’s just for 10-15 minutes.  We have 3 days of rain forecasted for this week, so I’m going to have to get creative. I see Wii Sports, Just Dance, or an online workout in my near future.

Until life returns to our new normal (because I’m sure this experience will change us all in some way), I will remember that God sees us.  And though I am separated from most human contact, I am not separated from the love of Christ.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulations, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?  For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ~ Romans 8:36, 38-39

This is what I’m hanging onto today.  No matter how distant I am from people, God is not distant from me.  I’m sorry if this post seems dark and gloomy, but it’s just where I am with all of this.  My faith is not shaken and I will continue to say that God is good, no matter the outcome.  But, it’s ok for us to feel a wide range of emotions through this. I will continue to stay at His feet as I cling to Him and to His Word.  It’s the only thing that’s going to get me through. I would encourage you to do the same. I fully believe that making it through this in a healthy way is going to take being intentional about connecting with people in any way we can. DON’T WAIT to do this!  Check on your elderly neighbors. Call them or knock on their door to assess how they are. Of course, stand back if they answer, but I’m sure human interaction will make all the difference for both of you. Facetime, Google Duo, or Skype with friends or family members.  Tomorrow evening we are using Zoom to check in with our Journey Group from church. We typically meet on Tuesday evenings, so Zoom will have to do for now.

 I’d love to hear how you are handling all of this.  Please don’t hesitate to comment on this post or head over to the Don’t Wait FACEBOOK PAGE and post there.  We may not have been created for this, but together with God’s grace and mercy, we will be stronger when all is said and done!  In the upcoming days, make a point to connect with your family, friends, and neighbors. Most importantly, spend time daily with Jesus. He alone can fill you. He will sustain you and keep you in the coming weeks or months.   And whatever you do, DON’T WAIT!!!

An Open Letter to COVID-19 Homeschool Parents From a Seasoned Homeschool Mom

March 18, 2020 /

I’ve gotten some texts today from friends telling me that after homeschooling their children for 2 days, they think I’m amazing and don’t know how I’ve homeschooled my children for the last 16 years.  While the compliments are kind, let me assure you that YOU are the ones that are amazing. I’ll tell you why.

1.  As a homeschool mom, I have all summer and every weekend to look over my children’s work for the year.  I can review, look over lessons, do my research, and plan for the year in a way that works for our family.  You, on the other hand, found out on Sunday that your children’s school was closed and on Monday morning your schooling at home began.  You had no time to plan and prepare.

2.  In a normal homeschool scenario, your child would have tons of classes to pick from at various places such as museums, churches, the zoo, and learning centers.  They could take classes in photography, engineering, writing, or science courses. They could play sports and take cooking, music, and art classes. They could go on field trips, play dates, and join chess clubs.  The sky’s the limit for these guys and we typically have to set a limit on outside activities or we’d never be home. But, you’ve been thrown into a situation where you are pretty much quarantined to your house, so you have no outlet during the day or in the evenings. You can’t take your kids to their usual dance classes or sports practices.  You. Are. Home. Period.

3.  We homeschool moms have had all year to learn along with our kids.  We’ve worked through all of the steps needed to solve that math problem and we know exactly how their curriculum is laid out.  You have not had that advantage. You are jumping into the middle of the school year and have missed the 6 ½ months leading up to this.  So, you’re scrambling to figure everything out.

4.  When I order my curriculum in the summer, I have the advantage of ordering a teacher’s edition if I so desire.  This way, I can teach the lesson (or at least refer to the lesson) and actually have the answers once my kids are finished with their work.  You, on the other hand, do not have that. You probably feel as if you’ve been thrown to the wolves as you try to remember what a prepositional phrase or gerund is.

5.  While homeschooling can be stressful, on any normal day, it’s nothing compared to the level of stress you are all facing.  Currently, our country is in a state that has everyone feeling like their life is upside down. You are dealing with your own emotions along with your children’s and that’s a lot to handle.

In other words, your circumstances are way different than mine.  You are at a serious disadvantage. So, if you’ve made it the last 2 days, you’re amazing!  I’ve seen several Facebook posts from moms who are scrambling to figure all of this out. Let me pass on a few tips that may help.

  1.  I’ve heard several of you say that your kids want to stick to their normal school schedule and get upset if a subject doesn’t take as long as it does at school.  Your homeschool day should not take as long as a regular school day because there are several things you are cutting out. You don’t have to wait for the entire class to line up, bathroom breaks, water breaks, changing classes, and so on.  Most importantly, they are no longer having to wait for an entire class of students to finish work. Once your child is finished and you know they understand, you can move on.  
  2. Our first few weeks of school are always rough.  It takes us a while to get into a groove and figure out exactly how our day should go.  If you or your child have been super emotional or frustrated, that’s totally normal. Give yourself a few weeks to figure things out and to find the schedule that works the best for you.  And if you lose your cool, apologize and move on. We all lash out at times.
  3. Make sure you are taking care of yourself.  Get up a little early for some quiet time before the busyness of the day begins.  Go for a run or walk after school. Put an educational show on for the kids and rest on the couch.  Get everyone in bed on time so you can get a halfway decent night of sleep (if there is such a thing for parents).  
  4. Take breaks!!!  Don’t try to sit for hours on end as you work your way through each child’s work.  You’ll burn out quickly. A ten-minute break can do everyone some good.
  5.  Your doubts are normal.  Am I covering everything with my children that I need to?  Do they fully understand? Are they going to get behind? How will they transition back into school?  All you can do is your best! Pray for strength and don’t put too much pressure on yourself.
  6. Help your child work through their emotions.  This is probably your most important role right now.  I’ve loved having my children at home during emotional times in life such as the loss of grandparents.  I can stop what we’re doing and answer questions or console them as they work through their feelings. I know that most teachers are AMAZING at helping their students work through tough times in life.  But, no one knows your child like you. And can you imagine trying to help 20 students work through the emotions that they’re feeling right now? I’ve definitely seen a difference in some of my kids in the last few days.  Children often don’t know how to verbalize their feelings, so they may act out in weird ways. Your children are right where they need to be in the place they feel the safest and that’s right with you.
  7. I was asked today how I get anything else done during the day.  My answer? I don’t. I may get a few dishes in the dishwasher or one load of laundry put in the washing machine, but that’s about it.  My laundry piles up, the bathroom is never spotless, and my countertops are cluttered. I’ve learned to let some stuff go and give chores to my kids so my head stays above water.  They come first right now. In a few years, they will be gone and I’ll have plenty of time to clean.

As you navigate the next several weeks, just know that you have been assigned a huge undertaking.  Don’t judge homeschooling based on this experience. You have it much harder than those of us who homeschool on a regular basis.  I feel for you because our school days are pretty normal right now. Yours are not. Ask God for strength. He will give you exactly what you need.  And whatever you do, DON’T WAIT!!!

COVID-19: Where is God in All of This?

March 16, 2020 /

I think we are all feeling like we are living in a world that is not our own.  My husband, Earl, and I were saying yesterday that we feel like we are in a poorly written movie.  This doesn’t even feel like my life. I honestly never thought I would see anything like this in my lifetime.  As a matter of fact, 2 weeks ago, Earl started telling me that we should perhaps start buying just a little extra when we go grocery shopping.  You know, just a few extra cans of beans and vegetables. I told him that I didn’t think that was necessary and that everything was going to be fine.  Boy, was I wrong. He called this one way before I saw it coming.

During times like this, it’s easy to become consumed with fear. “ What will the outcome of all of this be?  Will anyone in my family catch COVID-19? Will I lose any of my friends or loved ones to this monster? What if I can’t get food for my family?  What if I can’t find the cleaning supplies that I need to keep my family safe? What if…” Our minds could continuously run and run and run. It’s fear of the unknown that can grab hold of you during this time.  While we have NO IDEA what the next hour, day, or week will hold, our Creator knows the ending. Psalm 119:16b says, “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Think about that.  He knew what every one of your days would be like before you were even conceived. He saw this virus coming when he created the world. I don’t know about you, but that brings me much comfort. He knows exactly what these days ahead will entail.

And that’s why we must trust Him.  We can tell Him our fears. We can tell Him how unsettled we feel.  In Psalm 62:5, 6 & 8, David says, “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”  We can rest in Him. We don’t have to be fearful because our hope is in Him. I love when David tells us to pour out our hearts to him. God desires to have a relationship with us and wants to hear our fears and concerns.  

Some of you may have wondered why God would allow something like this to happen.  To that I say we may never know. I mentioned in my LAST POST that I went through a year of fear 20 years ago.  For the first several years of my life, I was a worrier.  In 1998, I begged God to make me closer to him because I was tired of my lack of trust.  It was the very next year that the fear began to set in and for a solid year I was consumed by fear and torment.  I couldn’t eat. I weighed a mere 106 pounds at the height of that period in my life. I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t be alone because my thoughts would not stop.  My husband worked 3 twelve hour days a week and worked the evening shift (7p-7a). He was the supervisor of the shift, so that meant he was really gone from 6 pm – 8 am. He would then come home and sleep all day leaving me alone in a quiet house.  It was the loneliest time of my life. I had a brand new baby whom I was trying to take care of in the midst of this darkness. Earl would walk out the door in the evening and I would fall apart even more so than I had been during the day. I could not stand to be alone with my thoughts during the dark, quiet times of the night.  I’d call my mom or my grandmother and they would come and stay the night with me. There were many nights that I wouldn’t sleep for even a few minutes, so my mom would lay and read Psalms to me for hours on end.  

I slowly began to see that depression, fear, and anxiety were thorns in my flesh.  In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul mentions that he has a thorn in his flesh that he asked the Lord to remove 3 times.  But, this is what God said to him in verses 9-10. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  Paul then continued in that same verse, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  That is why for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”  I now consider depression and anxiety one of my most prized possessions because it keeps me dependent on Christ. If I don’t stay in His Word and keep myself tethered, chained, tied, and bound to His feet, I am an absolute mess.  My cry of, “Lord make me closer to you” in 1998 was answered in the most difficult, but beautiful way.  

So, to answer the question that I started 2 paragraphs ago with, “Why would God allow something like this to happen?”  I come to the same conclusion. I don’t know. BUT, I do know that while we are weak and scared right now, He is not. He is strong and will continuously give us strength through this time if we allow Him to.  In the book “Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God,” Francis Chan says this, “Not being able to fully understand God is frustrating, but it is ridiculous for us to think we have the right to limit God to something we are capable of comprehending.  What a stunted, insignificant god that would be!  If my mind were the size of a soda can and God is the size of all the oceans, it would be stupid for me to say He is only the small amount of water I can scoop into my little can. God is so much bigger, so far beyond our time-encased, air/food/sleep-dependent lives.”  I don’t know why things are unfolding the way they are, but I know that my complete and total trust must be on my Lord.

No matter what the outcome of all of this is, I will declare until I breathe my last breath that God is good.  And I don’t say that naively or flippantly. I watched my dad waste away to nothing as cancer consumed his earthly body.  I lived through the news of a high school boyfriend committing suicide. I heard my mother’s hyperventilating cries as she called to tell me that she had discovered that my 2nd dad had died in his sleep when she came home from work that evening.  I have watched my mother-in-law take her last breath as glioblastoma took over her body. I was witness to my grandmother’s mind being taken over by Alzheimer’s disease. But, I will continue to say, “GOD IS GOOD.” I don’t say those things for morbidity’s sake or for sympathy.  I say them to give credibility to what I am saying. I’m not a person who has never experienced pain and is blindly saying God is good. I am proof that even through the mess of life, He takes every single circumstance and uses them for His purpose. I have multiple stories of each of these circumstances that I’ve mentioned that prove God is good, even in the pain and uncertainty. 

I have no clue how all of this will turn out.  I’m sure most of us have people in our lives that are more susceptible to COVID-19.  My mom and stepdad, as well as my husband’s dad and stepmom, are in their 70’s. While they are all in good health, all 4 of them have had health scares in the last few years.  My grandfather is 91 years old. We all know that the elderly are severely impacted by this. BUT, I can’t let my mind go there. My mind will rest on God and His promises.  

You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.  ~ Psalm 26:3

Don’t Wait to set your mind on Him.  Ask Him to give you an eternal perspective.  Trust that even in the midst of the chaos we are living in, He sees it all and longs for us to cling to Him.  As you are going about your day, whether you are at work or socially distancing yourself and your children as they are out of school, check on your neighbors.  Now is the time to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Watch for elderly people in the grocery store and give up a few of your cans of beans or Clorox wipes for them.  Just as Jesus came to earth to serve, so we are called to do the same. Reach out to others. Love them as you love yourself. And whatever you do, DON’T WAIT!

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