It is good to sit down and write to you all again. Just as I am sure all of you are experiencing, the last month has flown by and been another up and down roller coaster on so many levels. I don’t know about you ladies….but I am tired of continually hearing about covid case numbers, lock downs, politics and elections, and just plain destructive and hurtful comments about each other. In this message I want to give you joy and hope to look forward to.

As I sit here today listening to worship music instead of having the TV on; my phone has been shut off; and it is wonderfully quiet, I realize how I have let all of these things affect my spiritual life and ability to sit down and write from my heart. It reminds me of when I have a cold and can’t taste or smell anything. Nothing sounds good to eat. So goes my heart when I let it be filled with worry, anger, depression, frustration, and even wanting to get even at times. The constant barrage of negativity is one of Satan’s best weapons.

When I was a little girl my dad taught me how to catch nightcrawlers for our fishing trips. My first experience at trying to pull one of those slimy wiggly things out of the ground ended in trauma. I finally got a good hold on one and dad kept telling me to pull harder. So, I did. Oops. I fell backwards and the worm “broke.” I lost the battle with a worm! The tug of war I’ve been fighting against hopelessness lately is like my worm tug of war. I get a firm hold on knowing there is always hope even if it feels like everything has changed or been cancelled and then I slip back and lose my perspective on truth.

I saw this on Facebook a few days ago and even though it’s Winnie the Pooh, there is truth in the message.

NOT EVERYTHING IS CANCELLED

Sunshine is not cancelled
Love is not cancelled
Relationships are not cancelled
Reading is not cancelled
Music is not cancelled
Dancing is not cancelled
Imagination is not cancelled
Kindness is not cancelled
Conversations are not cancelled
HOPE is not cancelled.

Our hope is not cancelled. Jesus is our hope even in these times that are changing on a daily basis it seems. However, these times can have some blessings in them. I believe we personally, as well as the church, need to pray that God will use these stressful times as an opportunity to wake us up. God has brought revival in the past and we know if it is His will, He will bring revival to this nation and to His people. Some things we put our trust in in the past (or took for granted) have disappeared. As the effects begin to touch each of our lives, we have a wonderful opportunity to put our belief into practice. What do we really trust in? Is it something other than the living God? Scripture gives us reassurance that our hope is in God. He is our shelter through the storms of this life, even when we can’t see when or if we will get back to life as we used to know it.

I am intentionally taking time at the end of each day to look at my day and remind myself if there are things where I see the hand of God working. Not that He is not always working in our lives, but there are times we see it clearer than other times. Let me be honest….this is something that does not come easy for me to stop and do and thankfully I have a wonderful friend who helps to remind me when I let hopelessness creep in again. Looking at Pooh’s list we are blessed with sunshine and seasons that do not stop. We still have loved ones and friends regardless of what is happening in the world who are devoted to us. The enjoyment of music, dancing, imagination, conversations filled with love and laughter are not gone. My favorite on the list is the NAP. So glad we are told to rest. 😊 These are blessings given to us by the God who loves us and promises His steadfast love in all situations; who is working in the midst of our lives in good and bad; and who is our rock and salvation. WE DO NOT NEED TO BE SHAKEN!

I will give thanks to you, oh Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,
Your faithfulness to the clouds.
Psalm 57:9-11

The Lord your God is in your midst,
A mighty one who will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness;
He will quiet you by his love.
Zephaniah 3:17

For God alone, oh my soul, wait in silence;
For my hope is firm in him.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
My fortress; I shall not be shaken.
Psalm 62:5-6

Are you relying on God to meet your needs, or on other sources? Is your response to adversity in the midst of lock down and uncertainty demonstrate your faith or fear? Are you relying on yourself or on God? Do not let the tug of war with the worm in your life win! I pray this message gives you joy in Him, peace in His promises, and hope for the future.