Waiting… on Covid (and other things) to Pass

My husband is a great gardener. It’s one of only two hobbies he has, and I am the beneficiary of his care and skills. Our patio and front porch are filled with over fifty thriving potted plants. They are especially beautiful this year because we have had mild weather, and because Miracle Grow is Randy’s best friend.

He carefully tended our hanging baskets of bougainvillea, checking daily for the first bloom to appear. Finally after months, there was one red bract on one of three plants, but over the next few weeks, all three bougainvilleas rewarded his faith. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 He had faith that with the right care and conditions bracts and blooms would be forthcoming.

In our “fast food, microwave, and Instapot” society, we’ve managed to eliminate almost all waiting. Maybe that’s why Covid hit us all so deeply. We had fooled ourselves. We never knew the future, but we had convinced ourselves that we did. We were never in control, but believed we were.

Whether we wait for a Covid test or other medical test results, wait to recover from illness, wait and long to see friends and family face to face without masks, wait for a successful treatment, or wait for a vaccine, He is still in control. This pandemic did not take Him by surprise, for dark times are never dark to Him. Psalm 139:12 “even the darkness is not dark to thee, the night is bright as the day; for darkness is as light with thee.”

We can depend on Him to guide us through this unprecedented time when we ask. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

What does He want us to learn during this time of waiting (other than Who is really in charge)? How can we touch lives when we aren’t allowed to physically touch anyone? Donate to food banks? Send cards and letters? Make phone calls? Pray for the sick, for medical personnel, pray for students, teachers, and school administrators? Pray for local and national leaders? Be extra generous with tips when others serve us?

Leave a comment and share what you are doing to touch an un-touch-able world while you wait for Covid to pass. Your comments encourage others.

His compassions never fail

His compassions never fail. They are new EVERY morning! Great is His faithfulness!

When I saw this photo (from Pixabay) on FB this morning, I was reminded of a favorite verse Many times–good times or difficult–I’ve read this verse and thanked God for his presence and provision.

GREAT is His FAITHFULNESS!

The Magic of a Book

I Opened a Book by Julia Donaldson

“I opened a book and in I strode.
Now nobody can find me.
I’ve left my chair, my house, my road,
My town and my world behind me.
I’m wearing the cloak, I’ve slipped on the ring,
I’ve swallowed the magic potion.
I’ve fought with a dragon, dined with a king
And dived in a bottomless ocean.
I opened a book and made some friends.
I shared their tears and laughter
And followed their road with its bumps and bends
To the happily ever after.
I finished my book and out I came.
The cloak can no longer hide me.
My chair and my house are just the same,
But I have a book inside me.”

Explore Julia’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialGruffalo/

Awed

What awes you? Our cynical society experiences more disbelief than belief. We question almost everything. Little is taken on faith. At some point it seems our whole country adopted Missouri’s motto, “Show Me.”

I and over 1400 fellow writers are about to travel to one of God’s most beautiful creations, the Black Mountain range of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Southern Appalachians. While focused on the purpose for our trip, the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer’s Conference, how easy it would be to overlook God’s magnificent creation.

We could move from class to class and speaker to speaker engrossed in all we are learning, overwhelmed by all that’s expected of us as writers, and full of fear for our upcoming 15 MINUTE APPOINTMENTS.

Or, we could make connecting with our Lord our primary purpose for the week. We could start (or end) each day with a walk, glorying in our surroundings, praising our creator, seeking his peace, and asking him to guide our every moment at Ridgecrest.

Two things amazed Jesus. In Luke 7:1-9, he marveled at the faith of the centurion. Mark tells us in chapter 6, verse 6 he also marveled at the unbelief of the people in Nazareth. Let’s not be skeptical and filled with unbelief. Let’s allow the beauty around us to remind us that God is on his throne. He has a purpose and plan for our WIPs.

Let’s spend those four (or five) days in May, 2019, marveling at our great God with faith that his purpose for our WIPs will come to fruition. May God speak to each of us next week and leave us filled with awe.

What awes you? Leave a reply.

Happy Thanksgiving Y’all!

Entrance to Brasstown Ball Visitors Center, the tallest peak in GA, close to Young Harris          Photo by Randy LeBlanc, 11/2018

“O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good. His mercy endures.”  Psalm 107:1

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of year, but not just for the reminder to be grateful. I truly am thankful all year long. How could I not be? My life and my family are so very blessed.

Have I lived a perfect life? No. Of course not. Does anyone have a perfect life? We’ve had our share of disappointments through the years. But I’ve discovered disappointments can draw one closer to God, prove His faithfulness in all things, and grow my faith. Experiencing God’s faithfulness in disappointing situations gave me increased strength, stamina, and courage the next time my situation called for those characteristics.

The working title of my WIP (work in progress) is “Just About Perfect.” I chose that because even though we may glance at someone and think they “have it all together,” if we looked closer, perhaps we’d find layers of hurt, secrets, lies, heartache, fear, and maybe even guilt lying underneath the facade of perfectionism. Trusting God in both the good and the bad allows one to work through and overcome the disappointments in life.

In times of distress Romans 8:28 reminds me God is on his throne and is working even in this circumstance.

How have you experienced good coming from hard circumstances? Leave a comment.

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