The last time I wrote, less than a week ago, it was still reasonably safe to go to the grocery store. Groups of 50 or less were allowed to meet, and all restaurants were still open.
Today, everyone is being urged to stay home, groups of 10 or less can gather, but even that is considered inadvisable. All restaurants are closed to dining in, but you can still order take-out. How much difference 5 days can make in this quickly changing, virus-avoiding world we find ourselves in.
Our new normal, for now anyway.
I watched my church service online this morning, as I'm sure many of you did. I enjoyed it so much more than I thought I would. I was concerned that it wouldn't feel like being at church, watching it on YouTube. However, I've been at home since my school office shut down Tuesday afternoon, so I found that it was nice to see people I know, even if I wasn't in the same room with them.
This introvert apparently does enjoy some human interaction now and then and I kind of miss the small amount I have found I need.
I hadn't planned to write again until a week had passed, but everything is happening so fast. I have been thinking (I find I have lots of time to do that now) and reflecting on things that I would like to share.
I am thankful for some things, and I just can't keep it to myself.
First thing, I am SO THANKFUL for the internet! If this pandemic had occurred even 15 or 20 years ago, even though we had the internet then, the technology had not evolved enough to allow us to function as well as I'm finding we can. Today I attended church online, FaceTimed with grandkids, and chatted with people through texts and Facebook. Yes, the virus is still a threat, but thank GOD we have the technology we do today.
Second, I'm thankful for the kindness that my co-workers and friends have shown me. I was venting on Facebook this afternoon (I should never do that!) and lamenting that the grocery pick-up was next to impossible because the store was out of stock on so many items. Since I'm 65, making me technically in the high risk group (although I am one of the youngest of the senior group), several people offered to go to the store for me. I almost cried, it was so sweet! I am touched and encouraged for the kindness that people are displaying toward each other during this crisis. So I am thankful and so grateful to all those who reached out to me this afternoon. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, if some of you who offered to help me are reading this.
Finally, I am so thankful to God for His word. He is always looking out for us. He never leaves or forsakes those who have accepted Him as Savior, and He always makes a way to take care of us.
He gives us this scripture in Philippians 4:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
Philippians 4:6-8
There is always something to be thankful for. It's a dire situation, but the blessings are there, you just have to look for them. When you do, turn your eyes heavenward, and thank God!
We are all in this together. Stay safe, take this situation seriously, but remember to be thankful to God for taking care of you.
We are going to be ok.
I've been absent for a while now. I hope there is still someone who wants to read this blog, because it's not going away. I just had to be silent for a while.
So a lot is going on in the world now. You can't turn on any TV without hearing "Corona Virus" or "COVID-19" within a few minutes. People are stockpiling everything. Everything. The store was out of toilet paper, dishwashing soap, butter, ground beef, and most of the eggs when I was in there a couple of days ago.
I've never seen anything like this in my life.
This is downright panic we are seeing here. People are grasping at what they feel like they will need, and getting a little extra just to be sure. What causes this kind of behavior? I'll tell you my opinion:
FEAR.
People are fearful, because, no one really knows what is going to happen next. They want to be prepared for anything, so they are buying everything.
I'll admit, it's a little scary and unsettling. It's natural to be a little scared of the unknown. I've been afraid many times in the many years that I have been on my own. Experience has taught me: when I'm afraid, run to my Father. He alone has the answers to my problems; He alone can calm my fears by reminding me of His promises. I go to His Word and read some of those promises:
When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. Psalm 56:3
I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4
Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. Psalm 55:22
Ok, I like the Psalms. I had a problem with fear when I first became single again, and I camped out there for a while. I recommend you read three chapters of Psalms a day if you have a problem with fear. It really helped me when I did that.
There are also scriptures dealing with fear in the New Testament.
Perhaps the most well known one is:
God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV
There are the words of Jesus in John, telling us to not be fearful:
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled; or let it be fearful. John 14:27
These
things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the
world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the
world.
John 16:33
The bottom line is this: the answers are in the Bible. If you are afraid and trembling with uncertainty (no judgment here; I've done it) then go get your Bible and read it. Pray, of course, pour out your heart to God, and then read His word. That's where the answers are.
I have too many scriptures on fear to include them all here. I plan to put one every night on my Facebook page over the next couple of weeks, so check back for more.
Take heart. This too shall pass. The main thing is, do you trust God? He is your hope and your answer. He will take care of you if you give Him your heart and turn to Him.
As David says in one of his Psalms:
Be
gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, For my soul takes refuge in
You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge until
destruction passes by. Psalm 57:1
He is my refuge, my safe place. I trust in Him to get me through this troublesome time.
Be blessed, my friends. <3
