Sunday, April 26, 2020

Thriving Midst the Uncertainty


Not Survive –Thrive 

Those of us alive now will always remember when our world turned inside out and upside down. Normality ended and, even worse, we began to wonder if it would ever return. We are forced to look at everything in new ways. Human proximity is now a danger. Can it be? 

The family events that sometimes seem to have been inconvenient we long for. The jobs, the income, the sometimes annoying work settings, the tedious commutes, gone in a flash. We long for what once we carelessly took for granted. The church services we now attend online and often watch more than one even if it’s not our usual denomination. 

What of weddings and showers? Think of all the months, sometimes years, of planning – poof – not to be for now and maybe never in the future, at least not as originally planned. 
How about the spring travelers? The “I’ll go where and when I want - don’t tell me what to do”  - sadly these go-ers and do-ers are powerless.

For funerals we no longer worry about ceremonies. Instead there are very humble endings and simple burials, slipping off into eternity without much fanfare. Perhaps, it is the best way after all, I know it sounds good to me.

Sometimes I step back and observe. Does the way we’re living seem as absurd to you as to me? Like a Twilight Zone episode? And then the biggest unknown of all - what shall we open to? There’s much to consider here. I realize life with these economic  setbacks will be hard. Few have escaped unharmed, but then perhaps it’s been more of a focus than it should’ve been in all our pasts.

The inner message we all hear is that we are not as much in control over our own lives as we once thought. Did government alone stop our life? I wonder. It seems to me God allowed this. Why? To get our attention. Have we been neglectful in obeying His commands to love Him with all our hearts and obey His commandments? That’s something for each of us to ponder.

Nevertheless, I enter each day with hope. Why? Because it’s our daily inheritance as a Christian - hope and joy, as well. What God has allowed we will endure with his grace. Grace? It’s not just a word but an empowerment to lift our heads and expect good ahead. 

I’m doing some things I’d long intended to do. My newest work is creating YouTube video presentations of some of the talks I’ve given over the years and using some of the helpful material from my marriage and parenting books and even mystery novels. For this I’ve launched my own You-Tube channel of inspiration for family life. Check it out at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXIRtQGmA77eHR9ZWHi50Cw/videos You’d bless me by liking it and subscribing. I’ll have a new video each week.

Something else I’ve been doing, like many of you, is sorting the “treasures” I’ve stored for years in my attic, garage, and under-the-bed boxes. As I do, I’m sweetly savoring the memories they represent. I’ve organized my shopping to once a week, quick in and out with a list,  no running to the store for this and that. I happily re-organized my neglected pantry and drawers to hold more supplies. I doubt if any of these activities would’ve occurred had we never had this shelter- in-place opportunity.

Now simply walking down the street with a family member while social distancing is my favorite form of entertainment. Getting carry-out food from a restaurant is a risky privilege and huge treat. We have a new norm not as good as what once was but enjoyable and in some ways even a little better. Again clearly reminding us over and over we’re not in charge. God is. 

Some change of mind and heart has helped us all cope. Have you noticed arrogance has largely evaporated? Humility has emerged. As for equality we’re all on the same level rich and poor. NOT one of us can leave home without sufficient reason and thought. Love and kindness have multiplied exponentially. We now have time and focus to see the real needs of others and use our gifts to be of help. These are the news stories that give us joy despite the death counts at the end of each day. 

I pray we won’t all simply survive but thrive in multiple ways. Again we see more clearly… God‘s unconditional love for each of us is a forever thing and how rich we are when we realize this! Whatever happens, victory is His and ours always!

“Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed.” John 14:27 AMP

Saturday, April 11, 2020

A Most Unusual Easter 


Blessed Easter dear family and friends. This Easter  churches are closed, but fortunately the presence of God still pervades our universe on this day and forever.

In the past I've taken attending church services for granted and now I'm truly missing being there. Ever  wonder why so many people typically attend and why worshipping God means so much?  I believe devout churchgoers experience an invisible but certain refreshment to their souls. It's called grace.

I know this to be true: A breath of Jesus and your breathing changes forever. The Spirit called Holy, the joygiver, patience-maker, wisdom worker, will change you within, in wondrous ways you know you couldn’t do alone. 

You experience an awesome life-giving immersion in the love of God and the love of brothers and sisters. And really encounter in one another, with heart eyes, this Jesus all the fuss is over - this God plus Man reaching out and reaching within to transform us into HIs image through community.

That's why church matters. I pray when the doors reopen churches will be flooded with people. In the meantime, quiet contemplation, candles and songs and Zoom with our precious loved ones will have to do.

We wish you a most joyous unusual Easter! 

                    

Thoughts about Crosses

Crosses, crosses everywhere.
Metal crosses with clean, sharp lines,
Wooden crosses with carved, intricate symbols,
Crosses of ceramic, collectors of dust on walls,
Whose owners have ceased to see them.
Ornamental crosses hanging around necks
Filled with meaning or meaningless?
Invisible crosses carried throughout lives
With dignity and determination.
Holy crosses that serve as reminders
Of one sacred cross carried
And a precious life sacrificed --
The cross that made kingdom dwellers
Of common people like you and me
Because God was glorified upon it
This Calvary cross brings grace to us -
Redemption and Resurrection.

(c) from Breathless 2012


BLESSED EASTER!