KEEP ON DANCING!

Do you feel sometimes as if you're stumbling backwards during this pandemic?

My "feelings" are trying to keep me overwhelmed, anxious, frustrated, IRRITABLE! (note all CAPS)

As I pulled out a napkin for my morning cuppa, from my "clean out/use up Cover-19 pare down stuff stack", I was astounded.

Like a tap on my shoulder, the napkin said it all. I was soon tapping my toes and humming, "Lord of the Dance". "Dance, then, wherever you maybe, ..........I'll lead you all, wherever you may be,....I'll lead you all in the Dance, said he" (S. Carter's English Hymn with melody from Shaker hymn, "Simple Gifts")

Don't give up when you stumble. Remember who your dance partner is---look up, not at your feet, and let Him lead with a new unique step, turn or dip.

Don't quit! Just keep on dancing with your eyes on the LORD. It's when we look down at our feet, (those overwhelming, anxious, frustrating, irritating, circumstances) that we stumble. Turn up the music so you can hear from Him not from the discouraging words in your head.

Though he (she) may stumble, he will not fall (be hurled headlong), for the LORD upholds him with his hand. (Psalm 37:24)

Remember who has your hand in His when you're dancing, allowing Him to guide you with His righteous right hand and...............KEEP ON DANCING!

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!

CAPTIVI-TEA

A cuppa captivi-TEA is often needed to calm one's soul---or at least one's anxious thoughts.

Topsy-Turvy times call for a cuppa to soothe.....and to take captive those overwhelming thoughts of fear, and questioning thoughts of why?
Thoughts are just words in our heads. 

Proverbs 25:11-13 reminds that words fitly spoken are worthy---valuable to an obedient ear and refreshing to the soul. 

Encouraging thoughts give birth to encouraging words. Maybe the truth of that counts even when one is talking to herself. I know it counts when I'm talking to God.

Pouring over Gods word in Psalm 62, I'm reminded that when I pray I pour out my heart to God. His thoughts become my thoughts.

Tea is to be sipped but these days I seem to need to pour out a big cup and take a BIG gulp of captive-TEA, sweetened with acceptance......to soothe both my soul and my anxious thoughts. 

PANDEMIC PICNIC

Pandemic Picnic. Alliterative for sure but not necessarily with a nice "ring" to it!

Echoes of "social distancing" fill the space. But----

I don't know any grandmother who would not cherish the time to "see" a grandchild or two---even if it's from 6 feet!

As I recall. three came early, two came late, one came by adoption but all 9 came in Gods perfect timing!

How grateful I am that the Lord has allowed me to see my children's children. (Psalm 128.6)

PONDERING PREPOSITIONS

An entry for wordsmiths to ponder---prepositions for a pandemic.
Prepositions for a life with Jesus!
Prepositions are important.  Prepositions Connect. Connection is relational as are prepositions.

"Journal Jottings" show a bit of info I gleaned from pondering, Handley Moule's words in A Morning of Faith and Devotion.....though he never even used the word preposition.

I believe on the name of the Son of God, ....I am in HIM, having redemption through HIS blood and life by HIS Spirit....HE is in ME, and all fullness is in HIM.......To HIM I belong by purchase.....to me, HE belongs, for all my hourly need. (deletion/compilation & emphasis mine)

My jumbled jottings are a way to help my pondering as I seek to know Him in all His fullness today!

For wordsmith grammar nerds wanting to pass on info to kids or grands.........

try Elizabeth O'Brien' s "Preposition song".

"B" IS FOR.....

Which words have you heard most  during this coronavirus pandemic season----Boring, Bored and Boredom come to mind, as parts of speech which emphasize one's prevailing mood.
Bedraggled liked last week's roses? Mama Davenport would have made potpourri sachet from the petals to freshen her "intimates drawer".

My grandmother never thought it behooved one's spirit to bemoan present experiences.....she saw even good in scraggly roses.

Hm-m--m....words for musing, not bemusing.

Why am I baffled at the disparity in the way I saw life and the way she viewed it? She viewed all of life through a lens of worship and gratitude, not with a bewildering questioning "why me? " attitude. ...not just in a quick burst when good things came her way...but even struggles could become a bounty of blessings for all to see as she waited for God to show His hand & His plan.

The Lord was always her banner and her shield, regardless of life's struggles. He bestowed favor and honor on Mama Davenport because her walk never wavered---it was blameless and the Lord blessed her bountifully. (Psalm 84:11)

What "Bs" are reflected in your life?

THIS IS THE DAY.......

This is THE day...............

I have to admit that lately I haven't a clue what day it is. Most days all "feel" the same.

Though I might not know what day it is, I do know that "this is THE day the Lord hath made and I will rejoice and be glad in it". (Psalm 118:24) 

Hope you rejoice with me.
** Just had to add what a MS reader commented---Notice each day ends in Y---What a comfort to know that our "Y" Yahweh is still with us at the end of each day. Rejoicing with you.

THANKFUL THURSDAY

Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)

For me, I headed out on this sunny day for a "praise walk"---which wasn't too hard because of the full bloom azaleas that glowed as I rounded the first corner........allowing me to see, as I stood still, "the great things that the Lord did before my eyes." (2 Samuel 12:16)

With irises just a few doors down.....

and parents and children decorating for Easter. (1 Peter 1:3, Psalm 130:5, NLT)

Turning west past the sign I entered Temple Israel area of Barbara's Garden and began praising the Lord & praying for my Jewish neighbors to be still and see the salvation of the Lord.(Exodus 14:13-14) 

A slight look to my right and I saw an amazing sight.............

....a cow looking at me from the caretaker's window. What a fun surprise! 

Thankful for fun surprises this Thursday which I can share with my cow loving friend, Doris. 

Sweet Doris who named her blind cow Stevie Wonder!

FAMILY MATTERS!!

Family does indeed matter---Family (adj) Matters (noun) or Family (noun) matters (verb).

Anyway you say it families matter to all of us. So do naps....when you're the matriarch of the family so I'm heading to take one. The surgeon general, or some such official said it's important to keep on a schedule during this COVID-19 pandemic.

I'm back. Nap refreshed me.

With most our family being miles apart, this coronavirus is taking its toll. Even the ones who are close by can only be seen at a distance, through a window. Our toddler doest's understand at all when he can see his PopPop but can't get to him. A desertion of sorts for him and the tears follow.

The baby who is the furthest away has no idea how much she is missed but Daddy knows that I really want to see her. Lately he's been sending morning pictures to brighten the beginning of my day. They are new every morning, much like God's mercies. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Today I saw her "tooffies" front and center.

A few days ago our son documented our elementary school Texans with such a clever "homeschool" picture. It included the all important date for their first day at their own "Corona Academy". His are attending  the  Pleasant Run Campus.

Family really does matter especially during this unprecedented time in our lives. So grateful that though we are miles apart, our hearts are as close as ever.

PANDEMIC PROTOCOL

To everything there is a season or as Solomon says in Ecclesiastes 3:1, There is a time  for everything and a season for every activity under the sun. He even says in Ecclesiastes 3:8b a time for war and a time for peace.

Yesterday the President in his report on the coronavirus pandemic, used the analogy of being at war with an invisible enemy. The CDC warned that people need to stay home and heed the warning of exposure to others. So.....what does one do?

My grands have been following the protocol from  FL, MA, NY, Tennessee & Texas.

Turning the kitchen table into a ping-pong table....

....the front door into a basketball goal and the hallway into the court.The Texans 5 boys comprise their own team.

Finding a cozy chair for some device time......

......and a chair on the porch just to be outside,

and an inside chair to share with brother.

More sibling time as one reading the same book as her friend for a bookclub which is monitored by Alice's grandmother but takes time to include her baby sister.

Hand washing is important---sometimes one needs the whole sink to do it.

Factoring in fun & laughter (Ecclesiastes 3:4) to keep up brother's spirit! **that video is not working so enjoy J's PT. His breathing shows he is working hard to improve his "walk" . Will post the "funny" video when I can make it work.

Practicing the pandemic protocol is so important to stem the spread of this disease. 

So glad my grands are doing their part.

GOD'S PROCLAMATION

Fearful. Anxious. Apprehensive. Concerned. Suspect. 

Wondering how to help neighbors?

A "pandemic proclamation" gives rise to all those emotions. 

BUT GOD..... PROCLAMATIONS allow His people to find safety and courage as they trust in Him. 

God's proclamation---Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10a)

The Lord's Presence indwelling His own people, should inspire trust and confidence. In quietness and trust is your strength. (Isaiah 30:15)

God's Read Psalm 46 when your world seems to be falling apart.

Continue to be diligent to obey all CDC declarations. Help and encourage others along those guidelines. 

Proclaim God's goodness to offer peace during this time of "Utter Confusion". (Armerding, p.86)