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THE TICKING OF THE CLOCK

Does it seem to you that time flies by? Next week, I will have been off of work for two months. When I do go back, will I be able to remember things associated with my job? Will I even be able to clock into my computer? These last two months seem like they have flown by. I accomplished a lot of things around the house that I had been putting off. I was able to do one of my passions, to read. When I am working, I do not have time to read or accomplish large tasks around my home. I plan to retire in the next couple of years. I am sure time will go slowly, at least in my mind, when I get closer to that milestone.

When all is quiet in my home, I can hear the ticking of all the clocks around me. Each tick is one more second, one more minute that has gone by. One of the tasks I have gotten done is to clean in my garage. (My neighbors probably think I am a hoarder by the way it has looking!) I found a box that had my grandmother’s cuckoo clock in it. She was so proud of that clock and took really good care of it. I remember that when I would call her, I would hear that clock in the background. Somehow it made me feel like home. I love the clock but do not have anyplace in my house that it fits in with my décor. My brother, when hanging it in my grandmother’s new apartment, has a different feeling about that clock. As he was hanging it up, it fell on his nose several times. He definitely did not want to keep it. Even though the clock is in a box in my garage, I just cannot seem to let it go.

Isn’t that the same way with time from the past? We just cannot let it go. We dwell on events of the past that cause us to live in the past instead of the present. As I have said before, I have some of my parents black and white photos and am still in the process of organizing them and putting them in an album. When I am able to work on them, I get drawn into the past. I am so centered on a memory; I sometimes feel like I am in a tunnel going back in time. There are some flashbacks of memories from the pictures, that I wish I could change. But of course, I cannot. There are also pictures that I wonder, what was I thinking with that outfit or hairstyle. Where did all that time go?

During this pandemic, I have had more time to think. The events of the past, have helped shape me to be who I am today. The people I have come in contact with in the past, have also helped to shape me today. Some of these events or people, have affected me negatively. Some of them have been positive. I am a big believer in looking at the glass half full instead of empty. I feel I have been blessed to have mostly positive influences from my past. But there are so many who cannot say that. Many who have had so much sadness and lose when they look at their past. They have had parents who have not been a good influence. One lady I knew, had a very abusive father, physically and mentally. She struggled with being able to understand who our Father God should be in our hearts because she had never been shown that human type of love from a father.

Many years ago, when my husband was preaching in a little congregation, we went to a lady in her 80’s, home for lunch. She held onto something from her past and could not let it go. She confided to him that when she was a teenager, she had an abortion. Besides being very dangerous physically during that time; she had held that event from her past and had not ever let it go. She had been a Christian for many, many years, she knew God had forgiven her years ago. But she had not ever forgiven herself. It was something that made the ticking of the clock stop and kept her from feeling God’s mercy and grace. I feel my husband was able to calm her fears and make her realize that she could not stay in the past, because there is so much living to be done now-today-this moment in time, while the clock is still ticking for us.

This time in history, has helped me to remember to live in the today. There are so many opportunities I have missed today. Opportunities to: tell others about Jesus-to be with family (even if it is on zoom or over the phone or texting)-help someone in need. There are so many people who are full of fear because they have lost their job and cannot feed their families. They have to go to the many huge food lines that we have seen on the tv. Children are going hungry in our country. In my lifetime, I never thought I would see that. Could we have helped them, if we had known? Don’t make that an excuse. Make it a reality, by reaching out to others and finding the needs that are out there. There are so many, especially right now! Get out your church directory and start calling people to see how they are doing. I know that lifts me up when someone calls to check on me. Maybe it is as simple as a prayer for them, that they need!

There is a new song by JeremyCamp called “Keep Me in the Moment.” I amgoing to share with you some of the words. They sure made me think!

I’ve been thinking about time and where does it go.

How can I stop my life from passing me by. I don’t know.

I’ve been thinking about family, and how it is going so fast.

Will I wake up one morning, just wishing that I could go back.

I’ve been thinking about lately, maybe I can make a change and let You change me.

So, with all my heart this is my prayer.

Singing Oh Lord, keep me in the moment.

Help me live with my eyes wide open.

Cause I don’t wanna miss what You have for me.

Singing Oh Lord show me what matters.

Throw away what I’m chasing after.

Cause I don’t wanna miss what you have for me.

When I wake up in the morning, Lord, search my heart.

Don’t let me stray, I just wanna stay where You are.

All I got is one shot, one try, one go around in this beautiful life.

Nothing is wasted when everything’s placed in Your hands.

Keep me in the moment.

I’ve been thinking about heaven and the promise You hold.

So, it’s all eyes on You until the day You call me home.

Keep me in the moment. Help me live with my eyes wide open.

Cause I don’t wanna miss what you have for me.

Show me what matters.

Throw away what I’m chasing after.

Cause I don’t want to miss what you have for me.

Such beautiful words! Keep me in the moment. Help me to remember your promises that You will never forsake me. That, You are always with me in the hard decisions. You are always with me during the loss of someone we love. You are with me when I do not know what the future holds, because I have lost my income. Even in the difficult trials, you are with me when I try to live my life for you. Even during the darkness, You are right there with me. Help me to remember to live in the now-today, even if it is uncertain. We cannot ever get the ticking of the clock, back. Maybe God has led you to this time in your life and He has something for you to do. He has a purpose for your life and you have let the ticking of the clock pass you by and did not fulfill that purpose.

What are you doing right this minute? What do you need to be doing this minute? These minutes pass us by so quickly. Just like all of the black and white pictures have shown me, we can never get the ticking of the clock to go backward-only forward! I understand if you feel sad-fearful-hopeless. But we are never going to get today back, because when the sun rises or sets; it becomes our past. We might look back and wonder why we did not do something in service to God. There are things we can do to serve the Lord right now and bring cheer to others. There is a couple whose 70^th wedding anniversary was yesterday, who are members of the church congregation I attend. Last night, there were several of us, who drove by with balloons and posters, letting them know we loved them and celebrated with them their lives of so many years of marriage. I could have stayed home. I was feeling kinda down yesterday, but I went anyway with some friends. We wore our masks, so hopefully the couple knew who we were! But that is not what is important. What was important is that we showed our love for them thru our actions. I was so glad that I did not let the ticking of the clock just go by while I stayed at home but took the opportunity that was right in front of me, to do something for someone else! I felt so much better after I got home.

Everyday God puts in front of us opportunities to serve Him. Make changes in your life so you can act on them. Right now, is your time in history. Right now, the ticking of the clock has just passed us by and is gone forever. We need to remember, to keep in the moment-the here and now, which is so fleeting. The time is now!

I want to end with a few scriptures for you to think about which relate to this blog.

James 4:14 “Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? Is it even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”

Psalm 118:24 “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1 “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” Verse 17, “…God shall judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time there for every purpose.”

Matthew 6:34 “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.”

Ephesians 5:15 “See then, you walk circumspectly not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

The Bible tells us that our lives are as vapors. God has made this day for us. There is a time for everything. We are not to worry about tomorrow, but rather redeem our time; taking advantage of service we can do today. Jesus is the same in the past, now and in the future. He will keep His promises. He will take care of us.

Remember to make wise use of this moment and all God has in store for us and for us to do. Do not waste today. Use your time wisely. Just like the ticking of the clock, time waits for no one. Even today in this pandemic, there is much to do for the Lord! What are you waiting for? The clock is ticking!

Till next time!                        Keela

• 

MASKS

The other day, I had to get out of the house and get some medicine. Like a good girl, I put my mask on and went into the store because I needed some other things too. (My doctor from the animal hospital where I work, has been amazing sending me masks to keep me safe.) When I checked out, I smiled at the employee and thanked her. When I got into the car, I realized that even though I smiled, she could not see it. Nor could I see her smile, as she was also wearing a mask. At the animal hospital where I work, I am a receptionist. A smile is part of my job when people come in and when they leave. That is one of my goals at work; to make everyone smile before they leave the hospital. This has been my fifth week not working because of the virus. I miss seeing clients at the hospital. (Of course, one on one interaction with clients are done differently right now because of the virus.) Wearing a mask, got me to thinking about the masks we wear each and every day, even when we are not in a pandemic.

Have you ever thought that in our school yearbooks, all we see is the face of our classmate? How about when the police are looking for someone? They only show their face on the tv or poster! One of my grandsons, is going to the police academy in the fall. He has been working at a local police station. He fingerprints and helps when a criminal comes in to be put in jail. The mug shot that is taken, just shows the persons face. Some of those mug shots are really scary to me. The looks some of the criminals have on their faces, show who they are on the inside. But yet does it really? The other night on the tv news, they showed a face of someone the police were looking for who had committed murder. By his mug shot, he did not look like a man who could do such a horrible thing. He put on a “mask” to hide behind who he really was.

Our face is the most recognizable part of our bodies. It is the part of our body that is the most public. Many years ago, right after my husband and I got married, we were Christmas shopping with my mother and dad. My mother was looking at a jewelry case in one of the stores. There was a young lady looking in the same case. My husband came up to that lady and put his arm around her. Guess what. When she turned around, it was not me after all. My husband was mortified! Especially since he had done it right in front of my mother!! Of course, that was a brunt of many jokes through the years! But if the lady had turned around and my husband saw her face, he would not have put his arm around her. (Hopefully! Ha!) Now, with all of us wearing masks, it is really hard to tell who is who. We have to look harder at a person’s face to see who they really are.

Our face helps us to let our lights shine. We are to reflect God’s glory. God’s light. In 2 Corinthians 3:7-18, Paul is comparing the Old Testament law and the New Testament law. The Old Testament law was “engraved in stone,” which was the Ten Commandments. But in the New Testament, the Holy Spirit, “speaks” to us through the Bible, the new law. We have a much better law and brighter glory. Verse 11 says “For if what is passing away (the Old Law) was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.”  (the New Law) Verse 6 of the same chapter, tells us that “…the Spirit gives life,” which is talking about eternal life at the end of our journey here on earth. Verses 12-18, talks about Moses when he came down off the mountain when he got the Ten Commandments in Exodus 34:29-35. His face shone so brightly, because he had been in God’s presence, that he had to put a veil on his face so the Israelites could look on his face and listen to him.

Wow! Wouldn’t that be amazing if our faces shown, with the glory of God, in such a way that we had to put a veil on our face because our lights were shining so brightly for the Lord! We need to come out from behind the masks we put on our faces; thinking we are not good enough, not special enough, not confident enough, to tell others about Jesus! We hide behind our masks because we have done something sinful or we are in pain physically or spiritually, and do not feel we are worthy enough to shine for Jesus, even though we are told that God loves us unconditionally.  (Romans 8:38-39)

I have mentioned in other blogs, that I love lighthouses. I love what they represent. They, especially in the past, showed by their light, where the shore was-where the rocks were-where a ship’s captain would know to land in safety. The light at the top of the lighthouse, always goes around and around reflecting its light on the special pieces of glass. It is a beacon of safety calling the ships to its brilliance. We need to be a reflection of what Jesus taught while He was on this earth, just like a lighthouse. If we hide behind a “mask,” how are we going to reflect God and His glory? In 2 Corinthians 4:6 we read, “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”  Just as God, in creation, commanded the light to shine out of the darkness; God “turns on the light” in people’s hearts when they study the Bible and realize who Jesus is and what He gave up for us. They come out from behind the mask of darkness, which they have been hiding and living behind. But if we do not come out from behind our masks of insecurity, how can anyone ever come out of the darkness and into the light by our teachings and example.

Of course, when we go out in public right now, we are wearing actual masks for protection. Our first responders, the nurses, doctors, those preparing our food or putting it out on the shelves at the grocery store, the people who take care of our elderly in the nursing homes, the people cleaning the rooms of the people who have the virus, the truck drivers delivering needed gear and food, must wear those protective masks to help protect them from this invisible virus. They are our heroes showing us good examples of what we should be doing-wear our mask when get out of the house and we need to stay at home to protect them. There are times for actual masks, it is true. If I have to have surgery, I sure want the doctors and everyone in that surgery room, to be wearing masks for my safety. These are important, but what I am talking about are the invisible mask we put on and hide behind, which the devil uses to make us feel unsecure in who we are and what we need to do to shine for God.

There will be a day we will not have to wear a mask in public. There will be a day that we will be able to see each other’s smile and hug each other again. We do not know right now when that will be and that is the hard part-the fear of the unknown. There are so many things we are able to learn from this time. There are so many things we can still do to help others. I have seen so many people stepping up to help others, letting their lights shine, in such creative ways. There is a bridal shop in Virginia, who are having a drawing for the first responders who are engaged. They are giving away 75 wedding gowns. There are many restaurants who are giving away free meals to hospital personnel. People going to an older person’s home and singing out on the sidewalk to help cheer them. Cities at a certain time every night are standing out on their balconies or in parking lots singing or clapping for the health care workers. People fostering shelter pets to help the shelters out. So many, many people letting their light shine. They are not hiding behind their masks of their own loneliness and fear. But rather pulling off the mask of their fear-depression-sadness-loneliness and instead, shining in their service to others. We need to get out of our self. Out from behind the mask we have put on to supposedly protect our heart from pain.

How do we peel away this invisible mask?

1. Realize that you need to make a change. Realize that you are hiding behind your mask to save yourself from hurt. I know that when I talk to a trusted friend that I feel some of that weight come off my heart. (Proverbs 18:24)
2. Make the choice to make a change in your thought process. We are responsible with our choices and what we do with them. God is responsible for the results. The way you think determines the way you feel and the way you feel influences the way you act! Become a new creature. New in thought and action. (Romans 12:2)
3. Trust God. That is hard during this time, when people have lost jobs and lost loved ones to this virus. Trust takes our faith another step. It involves us being able to put ourselves at risk. It requires us to depend on God to keep His promises, even when proof is not provided. It is continuing to believe when the evidence points in the opposite direction. (Psalm 18:28-30)
4. Don’t dwell on the negative. At the beginning of this epidemic, I was watching and reading everything about the virus. Seeing the refrigerator trucks with dead bodies in them, all lined up in New York. So many people dying in the hospital without their loved one with them and the pain those family members were going thru. It felt like a weight was resting on my chest. But then when I starting to hear all the good things people were starting to do, it helped me realize that this virus has also brought the good in people. Sometimes we tend to forget that when we are surrounded by pain and heartache. Celebrate what you have realized about yourself and the time you have been able to spend with family. (Philippians 4:6-8)
5. Start a journal. We may still have our mask on when we start to write, but I have realized that the mask starts coming off bit by bit. Make a list of five things you are thankful for every day. Writing in your journal is between you and God. He will help you sort out your thoughts and feelings. (Psalm 62:8)
6. Make a list of things you can do, even during this pandemic, to serve others. Then, do it. After all the Bible tells us that even Jesus did not come to serve but to serve others. (Mark 10:45)

This is a hard time for all of us. Thinking positive is hard. We should not be lamenting what we have lost, but celebrating what we have found, by being confined at home. We should not put our invisible mask up to seemingly protect our pain and heartache, but rather reach out to God, who is our light. If we are hiding behind this mental mask, we need to take steps to chip it away. How can we shine for Jesus with this mask on?

We are assured that we will have hardships here on this earth, but it is how we react to those hardships which shows who we really are on the inside. Barbara Johnson said “There is no oil without squeezing the olives; no wine without pressing the grapes; no fragrance without crushing the flowers and no real joy without sorrow.”

Just as the light from the moon, is a reflection of the sun, the light we give off to others, is a reflection of God’s Son. I want to leave you with some hope that God has given us in scripture. Jeremiah 29:11-13 “For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for me with all your heart.”

One of these days we will be able to take off our physical masks once again when we leave the house. But today, we need to take off our invisible mask that is holding you back from shining for the Lord!

Till next time.                                           Keela

(The picture at the first of this blog, is my daughters four kids. She made a mask for each one of them to wear. She so far, she has been able to keep them protected at home. One day we will be able to see their sweet smiling faces again.)

LAUGHTER

“There are moments which mark your life. Moments when you realize nothing will ever be the same and time is divided into two parts-before this and after this” -Fallen-

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 17:22, “A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.”  We have been so over loaded with this coronavirus. The other day, after watching the world news, I just sat and cried at so much sadness and death. It can lead us to be so sad, so depressed, full of hopelessness and fear of the future. I feel that we need some laughs in the middle of the sadness. For 36 years, I led women in a ladies day every two years. So many good memories from them! So many women who I hope I was able to remind them that they are special to God, a daughter of the King; giving them hope in the middle of their fears and hope for the future. It was a day to get away from their everyday challenges and come together as sisters to sing, share with each other, time for themselves and a time to laugh.  I have since stopped leading these retreats. I decided that I needed to go a different route with the rest of my life here on earth. Since then, I have published another book and started this blog. I am so thankful that you take time out of your lives to give me encouragement and hopefully glean from each blog.

I have gone through some of my folders from those ladies events. I thought it was time to forget, even if for a little bit, what is going on around us right now. So, I am sharing a few of the jokes we laughed at during those events. Yes, I know there are some of you ladies who helped me with the events, that are rolling your eyes and thinking oh no! Here are a few that I hope can “tickle your funny bone.”

FUNNIES

There was a great loss today in the entertainment world. The man who wrote “Hokey Pokey” died. What is really horrible is that they had trouble keeping the body in the casket. They would try to put his right leg in and, well, you know the rest.

Some of the artist from the 60’s are revising their hits with new lyrics to accommodate us aging baby boomers.            Herman Hermits “Mrs. Brown you’ve got a Lovely Walker”            Bee Gees “How can you Mend a Broken Hip”       Bobby Darin “Splish, Splash, I was Havin’ a Flash”         Roberta Flack “The First Time ever I Forgot your Face”  

My body has absorbed so much soap and disinfectant lately that when I pee it cleans the toilet.

George and I were in a lively conversation when he stopped talking and retrieved his white, no frills hanky out of his back pocket. Unfolding it, he vigorously blew his nose. I continued to talk not skipping a beat. After a few good snorts, he folded the hanky right on the creases, again and again, until it was returned to its perfect square. He put it into his right hand and slid it down into his back pocket. When he looked up at me, I had become mute. My mouth was agape. I couldn’t believe what I had just seen. ‘Is something wrong?’ George said. ‘Do you always fold your hanky like that after you blow your nose?’ ‘Yes. Why?’ ‘So, I’m sorry to tell you that when I’ve been doing laundry and find your hanky so neatly folded in your back pocket, I assume it hasn’t been used and I simply put it back in your drawer without washing it.’ It was George’s turn to stand there with his mouth open. He said, ‘No wonder I always have so much trouble getting my glasses clean!’

A man and his ever-nagging wife went on a vacation to Jerusalem. While they were there, the wife passed away. The undertaker told the husband, you can have her shipped home for $5000 or you can bury her here in the holy land for $150. The man thought about it and told him he would just have her shipped home. The undertaker asked ‘Why would spend $5000 to ship your wife home, when it would be wonderful to be buried here and you would only spend $150?’ The man replied, ‘Long ago a man died here and was buried here and three days later He rose from the dead. I just can’t take that chance!’

Three old sisters, 92, 94 and 96 years old, respectively, all lived together. One day the oldest drew a bath. She put one foot in the water, paused, then called downstairs to her sisters, ‘Am I getting in the tub or out of the tub?’  The middle sister started up the stairs to help, then paused and called back downstairs, ‘Was I going up or coming down?’  The youngest sister who was sitting at the kitchen table having tea said ‘I guess I’ll have to help. I hope I never get that forgetful’ and knocked on the wooden table. She got up then, paused, and called, ‘I’ll come up as soon as I see who’s at the door!’

I have an age spot here on my hand! I am getting so old that whenever I eat out, they ask me for money up front!

After putting her children to bed, a mother changed into old slacks and a droopy blouse and then washed her hair in the sink and smeared her face with a slick green moisturizing cream that hardened into a mask. As she heard the children getting more and more rambunctious, her patience evaporated. At last she threw a towel around her dripping hair and stormed into their room, threatening all sorts of dire punishments if they didn’t get back into bed and go to sleep! As she left the room, she heard one small voice whisper in the darkness “Who was that!”

Adam blamed Eve, Eve blamed the snake and the snake didn’t have a leg to stand on.

The best vitamin for a Christian is B1.

I hope these funnies got your thoughts away from all the sadness associated with this silent-invisible coronavirus. As my mother always said, ‘This too will pass!’ Let’s hold onto that hope for the future. Even though it already seems like months and months since this started, before long this will all be over and we can get back to our ‘normal’ day to day activities. We can all get back together and give actual hugs, not virtual ones! Let’s remember that God is helping us day to day. When God leads you to the edge of the cliff. Trust Him fully and let go. Only 1 of 2 things will happen, either He’ll catch you when you fall or He’ll teach you how to fly!

I will share with you a memory from Ladies Day 2012. This is a quote written by my granddaughter, Alexis, who was about 18 at the time.

“Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let the pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness. Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place. In the end, we only regret the chance we didn’t take, relationships we were afraid to have and the decisions we waited too long to make.”  -Alexis-

My prayers are with you my friends! May you stay safe and sane. If you did not get the chance to read my last post, read “Maybe it is Time.” You might check it out. Since we have a bit more time on our hands, maybe it is time to think about some things!

I will close with a writing from Lupytha Herman which I think applies to us today.

“One day she finally grasped that unexpected things were always going to happen in life.

And with that she realized the only control she had was how she choose to handle them.

So, she made the decision to survive using courage-humor and grace.

She was the queen of her own life and the choice was hers.

Make the choice today to see the beauty in each day. Stop and just breath. Do what you can to brighten another’s day. Remember that God is by your side no matter what you are going through right now. It is a scary time, but have faith and trust in God, that brighter days are ahead. Because, yes, this too will pass!

 (The picture at the beginning of this blog, was taken on October 26^th, 2019. This day was the 10^th anniversary of my husband’s death. Such a hard day! The little ones are my daughter’s babies. The little one, Iley’s, laughter on the bottom step, is so special! The oldest, Adasen, who is on the top step, said, “she is laughing at something grandpa said from heaven.” Wow, isn’t it a blessing how these little ones think and how God can send us ways to make us smile even on hard days?)

Be safe! Stay home! You are protecting yourself and others! God will see you through!

Till next time!                         Keela

MAYBE IT IS TIME

We have been hearing the word, quarantine, all over the news. It means according to Webster dictionary: “a period during which a ship suspected of carrying a contagious disease is forbidden contact with the shore. (Sound familiar) A restraint on the movements or persons or goods to prevent the spread of pests or disease.” Thissounds familiar also, doesn’t it?This definition is not what I would think ourcountry would be saying so frequently in the news. God used quarantine in the Bible many times. Read Leviticus 14:33-57 which tells the Israelites what to do when leprosy comes into their homes and what they needed to do to keep themselves safe. The book of Leviticus is full of so many unhealthy situations that could happen to the Israelites and God tells them what to do. Usually they were told to wash their clothes and take a bath. God used these times to protect His people, to help them heal themselves and their land.

We have been told to stay at home unless absolutely necessary. I am in quarantine now. I am of an age and have underlying conditions that make me at risk. My dad, who is in his mid-80’s is also at risk. They are finding out now that younger people can get this virus also. One of my sons, uses phone & computer to do his work. He and family have gone to a farm where they have their camper parked. My Navy wife-daughter, who has four kids-three in school, is confining her little family at home. She has a teaching degree and has been enjoying teaching them from home. When my son, who lives with me, comes home from work, he takes a shower. I spray with disinfectant all doorknobs, etc., that he has touched. He and my other son have a job that is considered necessary. But there are so many businesses that have closed their doors, laid off their employees, not knowing when or if they can reopen. I know in a few weeks when I do not get a paycheck, it is going to be rough. The employees of the businesses that have closed, are going to and are hurting financially. The government plans to help with unemployment and other stimulus packages to boost our economy right now. But they need to hurry! There are so many who live paycheck to paycheck. What are we going to do? When can we all get back to normal? How long will this quarantine last? When can all these businesses reopen or even survive to reopen? When can we worship together again? There are so many questions surrounding our new normal right now, but no answers.

It is normal to question when our lives will get back to normal. It is normal to worry about the future! Most of us have never experienced anything like this before. Read Matthew 6:25-34. Verse 25 reads, “Therefore (which refers back to the fact that we cannot serve God and the riches of this earth) I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” Verses 32-34 read, “…For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and, all these things shall be added to you. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”  It is easy to say do not worry, but it is harder to actually put that into action isn’t it? Some cannot believe in a God who allows these times to happen to us, especially here in our country. Then, there are those of us who trust in God even when things like this are swirling around us! God will take care of us. God is right by our side helping us take one step in front of the other. God has told us there will be problems in this life. But we need to realize that, even when the fear of the unknown is surrounding us, even when this invisible threat is swallowing up so many, even when many are dying all over the world, God is still in control. God is who He has always been. The great I AM!

Maybe He is allowing this sneaky virus to encircle the globe, because He needs us to turn back to Him. I know I have much more time on my hands. I work full time. I can only go to work those days of the week, come home eat a bite and then go to bed and do it all over again the next day. Maybe it is time to evaluate our lives. Maybe it is time to spend more time in the word of God, the Bible. Maybe it is time to not take church assembly for granted. We will once again be together as a church family-shake hands & hug each other. I miss my brothers and sisters! Maybe it is a blessed time to spend with our family-to reconnect with each other. Maybe it is time that we can spend with our little ones and give them memories of good in the middle of the bad. Maybe it is time to slow down from the busyness and get rest. Maybe it is time to reevaluate our lives and make some changes. Maybe it is time to realize some things are just not as important as we thought they were. Maybe it is time that we can connect through a phone call to an elderly person and see if we can help them in some way. It can get lonely day after day sitting in their homes, trying to stay away from this invisible force. Maybe it is time to realize we are not indestructible. Maybe it is time to stop worrying.  God has got this! He will give us what we need, not just what we want! God allows these things to happen, to get us to stop and remember that we do have a God!

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is 2 Chronicles 7:14. This is when Solomon had prayed to God, after he built the temple. Verses 13-14 read, “When I shut up heaven and there is no rain or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people; if My people who are called by My name will 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.”  Wow, let those words sink in! There is a very powerful two letter word in this reading: IF. Let’s look at what we need to do in the midst of this invisible enemy.

1. HUMBLE ourselves. Our country is so use to having plenty. We are so proud of ourselves for our accomplishments that we forget to remember who let us excel. We have forgotten what it is like to be without. As my grandmother use to say, “we have gotten too big for our britches!” We need to take a step back and remember we would not have anything if it was not for God. Sure, we have worked hard for what we have-our nice home-our car-our clothes-eating out when we want to. We say to ourselves look what I have done! But God says to humble ourselves!
2. PRAY AND SEEK MY FACE. Have you ever noticed that when our country goes through a rough time, that people pray to God for help? But during everyday life, He is forgotten? Pray, not just a prayer we have heard, but a heartfelt prayer. I have found when I have gone through rough times, and I pray; I suddenly feel peace. Nothing in my life has changed but my attitude about the problem has changed because I have gone to my Father and poured out my heart and soul. I have released the problem to Him. This does not mean, like in the current situation, that I go into big crowds or do not disinfect my home or go & do what I want to and not obey the current order to stay home. But rather it means that I have put my trust in God that He will take care of me. I reach out to God through prayer and search the scriptures to find comfort.
3. TURN from wicked ways. There is a lot of evil out there. So many evil things that the world feels are their right to do because they have not had a good life. Maybe they have grown up in a home that has not respected God. Their parents have not given them a good example-violent towards each other-drinking or drugs are taken. They have seen a normal which is not healthy, nor directed towards God. But God is saying in our verses, that they need to turn from their wicked ways. Just because you have not had a healthy example in your home-even though they have reacted by doing violent things-even though they have lived their lives for themself; God wants us to turn from those evil actions. When you turn, you are leaving all that stuff behind you and going on a different path. It may not be easy but you can do it!

Then, God tells us that He will do certain things.

1. HE WILL HEAR. When a person comes to God humbly and not for self, God will hear them. That is such a calming thought isn’t it?
2. HE WILL FORGIVE. God will forgive, we just have to seek Him and ask for that forgiveness. God will forget that sin and help you to find a way to forgive yourself.
3. HE WILL HEAL OUR LAND. Wow, that is the one that makes me really think. Our land has become evil-gotten away from God. It is a world of selfishness. A world that tells us if it feels right, then do it. A world that accepts evil into their homes. God can and will heal our land when we have reached out to Him in humility, knowing that God’s way is the right way. The Old Testament is full of examples of this. The Israelites turned away from God, then another country would overtake them. Then the Israelites prayed in earnest to God, and He healed their land by bringing then out of captivity.

       In the midst of this virus, we are seeing kindness everywhere. That is how our country and others react to terrible things happening. We see there is a need and we react to help others. It helps to remind myself, that there are still good people who are living to help others not just themselves. Sure, our country is going down an evil road, one of selfishness, but also there are so many who are on the right path. Those who are not thinking of self but helping others. Times like these help us to remember that!

I read this on Facebook and want to share it with you.

I know this. When this ends-and it will-every game will sell out, every restaurant will have a 2 hour wait, every kid will be glad to be in school, everyone will love their job, the stock market will skyrocket, every house will get TP’d and we all will embrace and shake hands. That’s gonna be a pretty good day. Hang in their world.

As my mother said, this too will pass! Life will get back to normal. But hopefully we will remember to not take things for granted. When waiting in the drive thru line, don’t get so impatient. People will be able to watch their sports again and will be thankful for the entertainment. We hopefully will be thankful we have a job, instead of always looking at the clock and we will remember that in whatever we do we need to do it for the Lord and His glory. Kids will not take for granted that they have a school to go to and hang out with their friends. Once again, our store shelves will have whatever we want and need. So instead of becoming once again zoned into self, let’s remember Who gives us hope-Who gives us love-Who gives us forgiveness-Who gives us our everyday things and lives.

Maybe it is time to reevaluate ourselves and focus on what is truly important. Maybe it is time to humble ourselves and not think that it is all about me.    Maybe it is time to seek God through prayer and embrace the peace that brings. Maybe it is time to turn from what we know is wrong and go to Who is right. Maybe it is time to reconnect with our families, slow down and meditate on God’s word.

I want to leave with you a couple of passages of scripture that offers hope and peace. Psalm 27:13-14 “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, wait, I say, on the Lord!” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 “Therefore, (speaking of our faith and God’s grace) we do not loose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

Yes, we are in quarantine. The world is at war against an invisible enemy. Not a good thing OR is it? Maybe it is time!

Till next time!               Keela

During this time of fear, hold onto the promises and worthiness of our Lord and Savior!

IS HE WORTHY by Chris Thomlin

Do you feel the world is broken? (We do)

Do you feel the shadows deepen? (We do)

But do you know that all the dark won’t stop the light from getting through? (We do)

Do you wish that you could see it all made new? (We do)

Is all creation groaning? (It is)

Is a new creation coming? (It is)

Is the glory of the Lord to be the light within our midst? (It is)

Is it good that we remind ourselves of this? (It is)

Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?

Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?

The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave

He is David’s root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave

Is He worthy? Is He worthy

Of all blessing and honor and glory?

Is He worthy of this?

He is

Does the Father truly love us? (He does)

Does the Spirit move among us? (He does)

And does Jesus, our Messiah, hold forever those He loves? (He does)

Does our God intend to dwell again with us? (He does)

Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?

Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?

The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave

He is David’s root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave

From every people and tribe (People and tribe)

Every nation and tongue (Every nation and tongue)

He has made us a kingdom and priests to God

To reign with the Son

Is He worthy? Is He worthy

Of all blessing and honor and glory?

Is He worthy? Is He worthy?

Is He worthy of this?

He is, He is

Is He worthy? Is He worthy?

He is, He is

He is worthy, He is worthy

He is

(comments from Keela) This song, sung by Chris Tomlin, was written by Andrew Peterson & Ben Shive.  (the words in parenthesis are echoed by the crowd) It is a song to reaffirm our faith and belief system within our hearts. Yes, our Lord and Savior is worthy to give us hope, even when we do not see any hope. God is our only true hope! Even though we are full of fear right now, thinking the shadows are deepening all around us, I feel this song sung by Chris Tomlin, reminds us that God is right by our side. He does care even though the murky mire is trying to swallow us up. Is God worthy even in the midst of this time of fear?  Deserving of our praise? Absolutely-HE IS!

(Song based on these verses in Revelation 4-5)

“HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!”

“You are worthy O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things. And by Your will they exist and were created.”

“You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.”

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

“Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!”