Another Crisis?

Charts of neighboring counties with Corona virus cases and deaths flashed on the screen. A colored US map displayed states with increasing numbers of Covid. 

            As if that wasn’t bad enough, stations provided continuous coverage of a possible hurricane for Florida. For days, maps of the Caribbean and the southern United States displayed possible tracks for the named storm. They fixated on a storm that vascillated from a tropical storm to a category 1 hurricane and back again. The tracks moved back and forth. 

            Viewers were urged to stock up on water and batteries. Get papers in order. Fill cars with gas. During hurricane season those things should be done normally. 

            However, every time I heard the weather forecast, it sounded like we were going to be hit with a category 5 hurricane. Stations vied for viewers with constant, frantic predictions. 

            I brought outside potted plants inside and pushed patio furniture away from the screens. I filled my car with gas and was off to my granddaughter’s softball tournament. 

            For two days, I watched teen girls play softball and enjoyed time with my family. Just being outside with people and away from the gloomy news made me happy. 

            The last day of the tournament my brother, Joe, texted me to see how I was doing and asked about the storm. When I told him I didn’t know where it was, he told me I should check its status. 

            After arriving home, I finally did turn on the news to more hype. Supposedly, it was headed my way but winds might only be 30 to 40 mph. Our normal summer storms could be worse than that.  

            Of course, I should be prepared but not obsessed with either crisis the media projects. 

            Instead, early each morning I read the Bible and pray. That is more beneficial than becoming hysterical and anxious from media reports. Comfort, strength and direction from God’s Word gets me through every day. Jesus is my focus instead of the Covid 19 and a tropical storm that might become a hurricane and might come my way. 

            I am not totally ignoring the world but don’t want to get entangled in the rampant agitation, panic and terror. 

            When I read posts and listen to various people, I keep wondering. “Would Jesus say that? Would he do that? “

            He admonished us to love God and love others. He did that even when He didn’t agree with them. I can’t change the world nor the opinions of those who believe differently from me but I can make a difference in my little part of the world by trying to be more like Jesus. 

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another. (Matthew 13:34 NKJ)

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (Matthew 14:27 NKJ)

Jesus, turn hearts toward you and show us how to love others. Give us peace in this unsettled world. Amen.

             

Limp and Lifeless

Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1-2 WEB)

As the beginning of isolation, cool temperatures and low humidity greeted me for my daily walks and bike rides. By 8 am, I would be on my way and enjoyed meeting people around the neighborhood. 

            As the shutdown continued into late spring and summer, things changed. I left my house earlier to escape the intense heat and high humidity. Few people ventured out at dawn so I often had the streets and sidewalks to myself. 

            On my excursions, I dropped off pages from daily devotionals at my friends’ homes. A few widows were regulars on my route. Other friends received them occasionally. On special holidays like Mother’s Day and Easter, my outreach grew to include more neighbors and even some residents I didn’t know. 

            As I read devotionals each morning, I decided who would benefit from each one. On other days, I prayed for the best one for each friend and left it up to God and. Often, friends told me they really needed the writings I left for them. 

            During the heat and high humidity of summer, I left home with crisp papers in my hand. At the first couple of stops, the pages remained firm and dry. Minutes later, my hand clutched limp, damp devotionals which looked like they had been left in the rain. 

            Likewise, lives during the pandemic have become limp and lifeless. Isolation, illness and uncertainty have sapped energy and decreased motivation. 

            Even though isolation has kept me home for months, I don’t want to become limp and lethargic. My solution was to find creative ways to interact with people. My daily deliveries of uplifting readings encourage friends and give me happiness. When I reach out to other people, I find joy in sharing about Jesus. 

Lord, give us strength, peace and joy as we navigate through the pandemic. Amen

An Urgent, Monotonous Din

Sunlight poked through the trees and illuminated the lake and my garden. Bees buzzed around my orange flowers. Calmness enveloped me during my morning devotional time. A symphony of birds sang delightful melodies. 

            Then a bird hidden in a tree near my patio produced a loud noise. From across the lake, another bird answered with the same tone and rhythm. As soon as one finished, the other one repeated the urgent, monotonous din and disturbed my serenity. No longer could I enjoy the music of the songbirds. 

            The racket reminded me of the constant clamor on TV, radio and the Internet. People decide which ones to parrot and keep repeating what they hear. Back and forth they go. Louder and louder. Each side trying to overtake the opposing views while overtaking pleasant conversations and peaceful situations. 

            The continual blasting wears me out. I now only watch a small amount of the news and bypass much of what is posted online. 

            Instead of getting caught up in the battles, I try to focus on Jesus and follow His teachings. Love God and love others. 

            I can pray for our leaders from local to national whether I like them or not. Jesus loves them. I can pray for those in the media to speak the truth. I can pray that our country heals and comes together. I can pray for revival. 

            God answers prayers but not always the way I want or in the time I desire. I can’t personally reach everyone I pray for but God can. 

            As a Christian, my purpose is to show His love and glorify Him. Each day, I can look for opportunities to make a difference in someone’s life. Often it is something small that has a huge impact. 

            One thing I did today was to give a bottle of cold water to the young man mowing my lawn. We didn’t speak the same language but his smile told me thank you. 

            I wonder what opportunity I will have tomorrow? How about you?

And anyone who has given so much as a cup of cold water to one of the little ones, because he is My disciple, I tell you, that person will be well rewarded.

 (Matthew 10:42 KJV)

Loving Father, help me to ignore the conflicts and embrace your love. Open my eyes to opportunities each day. Amen

Pressing Toward the Goal

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3: 12-14 NIV)

Perched on my bright, pink bike, I pulled out of my garage for an early morning ride. A slightly cooler temperature than normal welcomed me as rode in the sunshine. 

            A tiny breeze ruffled my hair while I went up and down vacant streets around the neighborhood. In my area trees shaded the street. 

            But in the newer sections, spindly oaks offered little cover. Only a few empty lots remained in the vast region. When we moved into our home, a forest of towering trees filled with wildlife occupied that space. 

            Frequently, I looked down at my Apple watch to see my distance and time. Two miles and then three miles. Watching the mileage motivated me to try completing four miles. 

            My legs pumped with renewed strength. I surpassed my goal of four miles and made it to four and a half. My heart rate increased but I kept pedaling past my home. I circled a lake beyond my house a few times to get to five miles. 

            When I pulled into my driveway, I checked the mileage and stopped the watch at five and three tenths miles. 

            For me, that was a huge accomplishment. As the pandemic began, bronchitis kept me down for two weeks. Gradually, strength returned little by little. Walks and bike rides brought on extreme shortness of breath. Going one half mile wore me out. 

            The doctor prescribed an inhaler. The first one did little to alleviate my difficult breathing. The second one helped but didn’t eliminate the problem. I persisted and alternated walking and biking almost every day. 

            Early exercise brought cooler temperatures. I talked to neighbors who passed by. On walks, I listened to podcasts of sermons which propelled me to continue. Improvements in distance and time motivated me to not quit. 

            Daily exercises produced more energy and awakened my sense of thankfulness for God’s creation as I noticed it around my neighborhood. Podcasts of Christian speakers fed my soul and kept me moving spiritually and physically. 

            In the midst of the pandemic with all of its horrible consequences, positive outcomes occur too. 

Father, thank you for meeting us during tough times. You appear in unexpected circumstances and strengthen us despite our trials. Amen

Waiting on my Bread

Rain shortened my early morning walk. All day, I watched drops hit the lake. Clouds covered the sky like a heavy quilt. 

            Although rain continued and kept me inside, I found plenty of tasks to accomplish. Dreariness produced a sense of comfort so I snuggled on my couch with a book. 

            A little while later, my mom’s bread machine called to me. Ingredients for oat bread lined my counter. Each one went into the metal container. Then I pushed buttons to begin the process. Kneading began with a hum and then a time of rest.  

            Three hours later, the aroma of freshly baked bread filled my home. Because the machine hadn’t been used in several years, I didn’t trust the timer. Twice, I opened the lid to see if it was done. Over and over, I looked through the glass on the top to see if it looked done. Reluctantly, I waited to hear the beep that baking was finished. 

            Although the smell called me to eat a piece of bread immediately, I remembered details from the instruction booklet. Take bread out of machine. Turn it over onto a wire rack. Let it cool before slicing. 

            Anxiously, I waited and watched the lightly browned loaf while I tried to keep myself busy with household tasks. The bread enticed me but I resisted. 

            Finally, I cut a small piece of the delicious looking goodie. With a touch of butter and berry jelly from a friend, I savored the warm bread. Later in the day, I enjoyed another slice before sharing part of the loaf with friends. 

            If I had taken the bread out of the machine early because of my impatience, it would have been doughy and inedible. Before cooling, the knife would have squashed the bread into a lumpy mess. Although waiting was difficult for me, the final product brought a wonderful outcome.

            During the pandemic, waiting has become normal. Impatience and anxiety increased. But remembering that God is in control helps reduce nervousness. 

            His timetable is usually not the same as mine. I need to wait on Him and read His instruction book, the Bible, for the best results.

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:5-8 NKJ)

Father, waiting on you produces patience and better outcomes than when I try to take over. Amen

Glimmers of Hope in the Pandemic

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.(Proverbs 3:5-7 KJV)

A cloak of black wrapped the sky when I stepped onto my patio. Twinkling stars and bright planets created a wondrous display. The largest and brightest object in the inky sky was a slice of moon which glowed through a gap between the trees. 

            A chorus of crickets droned before dawn. Traffic hummed on a highway outside my community. 

            Normally, I stay inside until the sun appears since I enjoy the sunrises and wakening of the morning. But the darkness seemed appropriate during my time of isolation. Beyond the patio light, I only saw a few stars, a planet and sliver of the moon. 

            Blackness concealed bears, armadillos, coyotes, eagles, cranes, turkeys and other wildlife. All have been spotted in my neighborhood. They could have been waiting in my yard just outside my patio and ready to pounce, rip or attack me. 

            In the daylight, I love watching a variety of birds, deer, turtles, butterflies and other creatures. They provide enjoyment. However in the darkness, my mind speculates about what dangers lurk outside my screen. 

            In the uncertainty of the pandemic, the mind conjures all sorts of horrible scenarios. What ifs can fill days and take over sleepless nights. Fear and distress replace peace and reason. 

            As the sky turned from black to a pale blue, birds awoke and sang a cheery welcome. 

            Just as dawn comes each day, we will come out of it. 

Gradually, our turbulent world will emerge from the pandemic with glimmers of hope.

            Each day, we can choose how to respond to the difficulties. Every morning I spend time reading the Bible, praying and delighting in the beauty of God’s creation. 

            Instead of constantly watching stories of doom on the news, I find uplifting shows and books. I think of creative ways to reach out during social distancing. 

            The books of Psalms and Proverbs provide wisdom, hope and encouragement instead of imagined stories of destruction.  

Loving Father, hold us in your arms as we navigate an uncertain pandemic. Show us your love and strength. Give us hope in the despair of the world. Amen

  

Small but Powerful

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good. In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate to one another; in honor preferring one another; not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer; contributing to the needs of the saints; given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don’t curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Don’t set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don’t be wise in your own conceits.(Romans 12:9-16 WEB)

A string of tiny solar lights wrapped a wooden plant stand on my patio. At night, they twinkled in the dark. But during the day, nothing about the plain, green strands stood out. They dangled from the top to the bottom of the four-foot pole. 

            Sunlight streamed through the trees and onto my patio. A glittering surprise caught my attention. Spider webs filled in spaces between the lights. Intricate designs created a silky masterpiece. 

            A busy spider or group of them wove webs from one plant to another. Crisscrossing strands joined pots of aloe to the stand and down to herbs at the base with lovely lacework. Diligent workers must have taken days, weeks or even months to produce the artistic designs.

            Day after day, I sat in my chair next to the plant stand to read the Bible, pray and read devotionals. Each morning the lake beyond my yard greeted me with wonderful wildlife. Often, egrets, bald eagles, turkeys, sand hill cranes, and deer visited. 

            Although I loved the beauty outside my patio, I missed the marvelous creations next to me. I searched for what was far away but ignored what was near

. 

            During uncertainty of Covid 19, unrest of the protests, and turbulence of the riots, I searched on TV, the radio and the Internet for glimpses of hope. I wanted to see what important people could do to alleviate world tragedies.

            I felt helpless and wondered what one person could do. God spoke to me through His Word and a dear friend. Looking backwards doesn’t solve problems. We need to look ahead and make positive changes.

            Within my world, I can pray for peaceful change and understanding. I can offer hope to those in turmoil near me. Give words of encouragement. Thank those who help me. Listen more than I speak. Instead of waiting for someone more prominent than me to solve the difficulties, I can make a difference in those in front of me. 

            The wee spiders did what they were made to do in a small way but with a powerful impact. If everyone did that, what a difference we could collectively make. 

Loving Father, help us contribute to peace and understanding in our part of your world. With your instructions and obedience, we can affect change. Amen