As a writer, I have been thinking of so much I could say. As a mom, I’ve been overwhelmed, and not sure how down deep and personal to be.
As A Citizen…
As most of you are well aware, this nation-wide, and pretty much world-wide quarantine is less than ideal. No one could have anticipated this happening in our world today.
Our world has technology, several have access to medical care, and the ability to travel anywhere in the world in record time.
Why would a pandemic be a problem?
As a Christian, I truly believe God is using this time of uncertainty and chaos, to bring peace, hope, and strengthen our faith.
We are most secure when we dwell in the safety of our shelter and fortress, our Almighty God.
As A Mom…
For me and my family, this period of isolation has been both a blessing and a curse.
Right before this virus disrupted our lives, I had confessed to my husband a specific concern.
I was so worried we would be sucked into the busyness that comes with each spring season. Sports, drama, graduations, concerts, outdoor activities, and whatever else you can think of.
Blessing #1
However, because of the Corona virus and the mandatory quarantine, our schedules are wiped clean from last week, until the foreseeable future. I never imagined my prayer would be answered like this.
Blessing #2
In addition, I have been struggling with maintaining my relationship with my school-age kids. For so long, I have been home with them, and having all the time in the world.
Deep in my heart, I miss that so much, but God has not led me to homeschool at this time.
Now, I again have all the time in the world with all of my children, this side of Heaven.
I am thankful God has heard the desires of my heart, and is redeeming this time with my kids.
So I choose to see this time as a gift from God.
Curse #1
To be transparent, I am not going to sit here and pretend this time in our world is not scary, unsettling, and discouraging.
Yet, I never imagined it would be a grief trigger, for my son in Heaven.
For me, the mere suggestion or possibility I could lose any of my children, or my husband, took my breath away. This fear caught me dead in my tracks, and I wept with sorrow.
I have no more control now over life and death, than I did almost four years ago.
Defining Moment
Our pastor’s sermon this morning really challenged my heart. Storing up possessions doesn’t provide security, only God can do that for us. True peace can only come from the God of peace Himself.
I can’t stop our family from getting sick.
I can’t prevent my family from dying from the virus, let alone any other cause.
I can’t make toilet paper appear out of thin air, just because we ran out! (Yes, a little humor to lighten the mood.)
Resolution
God is God, not me. God is in charge, not me. God has everything under control, and I have nothing under control, in my own power and strength.
Everything we have is God’s, but He loves us so much, He gives us everything we need.
Yes, I said NEED not WANT really bad or WANT because someone else has it.
As a Christian, as a citizen, as a wife, as a mom, and as a writer, I urge you to take a stand in your heart and mind.
Choose peace. Choose to trust God will take care of you. Choose to find joy in the blessings of today, not live in fear of tomorrow.
Choose Jesus Christ as your Savior, and you will never regret it, for eternity!
PRAY, PRAY, PRAY church! Don’t lose hope! We serve an all-powerful, mighty, loving God.
Encouraging Scriptures
Ephesians 3:14-21 ESV
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith–that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Hebrews 2:1 ESV
“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.”
2 Chronicles 7:11-16 ESV
“Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD and the king’s house. All that Solomon had planned to do in the house of the LORD and in his own house he successfully accomplished.
Then the LORD appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him: “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice. When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people,
if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,
then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time.”
Proverbs 3:5-12 ESV
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
My son (to King Solomon from his dad, King David), do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.”