POSITIVE PANDEMIC PLANS--KEEP PRAYING!

3/21~and so it begins---life as we've never known it before. As the weeks go on....

GOOGLE reminds us to "Keep Washing Our Hands". 20 seconds!!!

3/22~Grace for theMoment~Pray for all people, asking God for what they need and being thankful to Him  (1 Timothy2:1) ....starving children, hurting people, people in cancer wards & in assisted living...look beyond the darkness, so as not to miss the answered prayers. 

4/3~ Trust in the Lord with all your heart and stay home to stay safe. Is that a mixed message. I don't think so. I see it as a way of showing respect for others. Keep reading God's word.

5/5~Mask-up Memphis Keep wearing a mask to show respect for others!

Fear not for I am with you; (even behind your mask)

Be not dismayed, for I am your God. (Isaiah 41:10) Keep trusting God.

People party as May ends and Covid-19 related deaths in our nation spike.................

6/15~ Keep watching out for others by respecting their lives with clean hands, a well fitting mask and social distancing. Death has a human face.

7/4~We too celebrated Independence Day from our patio/porch. in unity---apart, together. (Psalm 133:1)

.....and now we will enter August with an even greater resolve to keep praying!

PANDEMIC 2020 QUESTION

How does one know the COVID 19 pandemic continues in the USA?

The answer is simple---when the most traffic on the street is Amazon Prime delivery vans.

The answer might be simple but the ramifications are not. 

John Mark Comer states in The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, "Shopping is the number one leisure activity in America, usurping the place previously held by religion. Amazon.com is the new temple."

Comer had more for me to consider but those 2 sentences gave me food for thought as I took my walk................and turned the corner to see not 1 but 2 Amazon Prime deliveries being made on the street. Hmmm-mmmm!

WAITING.....WAITING....WAITING.........

Waiting is not Easy!  (Click to share with a young child.)

Sometimes a children's picture book can simply say it well. 

Many Mo Willems books resonate with me whether Elephant and Piggie, Pigeon or Knuffle Bunny books. Knuffle Bunny was such a favorite, that going "boneless" became a shared word in our household. If you've ever had an obstinate grandchild go boneless on you, you get the picture.

During this pandemic season, I have found myself waiting for my life to return to normal. I am now realizing that I need to learn to embrace these moments as normal. Day in and day out, I must celebrate each day as God guides.....even if I "feel" like I'm going nowhere.

I just need to "wait" for the Lord. As it reminds me in Psalms 27:14, I just need to be strong and take heart as I seek His direction. I've been losing heart lately & growing weary (Galatians 6:9) instead of considering Him. (Hebrews 12:3) I need to keep hoping for what I do not see instead. (Romans 8:25)

I need to celebrate life as it is as I wait.

4th OF JULY

Independence! (Allen Bible Church, RightNow Media)

I needed this reminder, today. How about you?

He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)

P.A.U.S.E.

This entry has been in process since July 1. That was just 2 days ago and I'm still trying to untangle all the sudden changes that have brought planning to a screeching halt.

I noticed in yesterday's journal entry that "pause" was ending as "my word" and I was picking up seek as my focus. What had I learned during my "pause" time of reflection?

I added a Practice Thy Presence ("PTP") addendum....... Practice the Pause to enhance Practicing Thy Presence---at least it does for me.

Angry---PAUSE!

In doubt---PAUSE!

Tired---PAUSE!

Stressed---PAUSE!

When you pause---PRAY!!!

Put

Aside

Unnecessary

Stuff

Everyday

Unraveling requires lots of "pause" time to ponder!