April 2020 – Daily Devo Time

Daily Devotional for April 30, 2020 – Seeking instruction during this pandemic…are you a wise man or a self-sufficient fool?

Proverbs 10:8
The wise man is glad to be instructed, but a self-sufficient fool falls flat on his face.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

I thought about letting this scripture sit – and saying, “Draw your own conclusions.” Surely, we are bombarded from all sides these days with information – and even “instructions” and advice. But are we listening to the right people? Greg and I did the Walmart Pickup in a nearby town yesterday. As two professional young women adeptly and courteously loaded our groceries (while wearing masks and gloves), I watched shoppers enter the store. Out of ten people who approached, I saw ONE that was wearing a mask, despite repeated admonitions from our governor and others that masks are strongly recommended for everyone – not just the employees (who are required to wear them).

I hear chatter from those who think we have totally overdone it on the social distancing…that we should just go back to “normal” and “let nature thin the herd”. My question is always, “Who are you willing to sacrifice…your grandparents, your parents, your children, or your best friend with underlying conditions?” I also think of all the medical people who have literally sacrificed their very lives – and the lives of their loved ones – in order to treat those afflicted with the virus and test others who might be infected. And I have to ask…if we rush back to the way things were and reverse all that has been done – or make it worse, isn’t that a huge slap in the face to those who have already given so much?

I don’t have the perfect answer. I don’t know when it will actually be safe for us to re-enter restaurants and grocery stores…or return to church and social activities. I am as anxious as the next person to hug my loved ones and share a meal with them. So I am praying…and waiting. I am trusting God for answers and wisdom. As in many questions and major decisions that have come my way in the past, God has always clearly shown me when it was time to make a move. He will show me this time, as well.

In the meantime, I am praying for patience and courage…and asking God to show me how to fill these days/weeks/months productively. I am seeking His guidance for creative ways to share the Good News of Jesus from the relative safety and confines of our home. And I am constantly thanking Him for His blessings and abundance in this time – and for the perfect instruction that He is giving me. I hope I am acting like a “wise man” and not a “self-sufficient fool”. What about you?

Daily Devotional for April 29, 2020 – Emulating Jesus in our discipleship – and staying “human”…WWJD?

Philippians 2:5-8
Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

Several years ago, people started wearing clothing and jewelry that said WWJD, which stood for “What Would Jesus Do?” Indeed, using this question as a gauge is a good idea and gets us much closer to mirroring Christ in our discipleship. In terms of current events, think of how you are reacting to COVID-19. Are you wearing a mask and practicing social distancing? Are you doing this not only for the safety and well-being of yourself…but also thinking of others? WWJD?

It seems that some have decided that either 1) they are not afraid of the virus; or 2) they are not liable to contract the virus; or both! So they are moving about and living recklessly…visiting friends, shopping and interacting without wearing a mask (and probably not washing their hands nearly enough). I’ve seen several memes that suggest that what we do affects others. In fact, I shared one yesterday from a site called “Officially Ally” that said, “I see a lot of people being like, ‘I would survive the coronavirus. I’m taking my chances.’ The way I see it, yeah, I’d survive it. But I might carry it to someone who wouldn’t. And that, folks, is the problem.”

Again, WWJD? Would Jesus declare that “I am the Son of God! I surely am not afraid of a virus, and I have no need of a mask!” I honestly believe that Jesus would say, “We’re all in this boat together. So let’s all do our part.” And He would put on a mask! If you and I will start to follow Jesus’ lead in even what seems like the smallest of things, it will become easier and easier to follow Him in the big ones. Not a single one of us has special privileges when it comes to God. None of us is loved more than another…and none are called to “Disciple with special favors or an elevated position.”

This scripture tells us that Jesus lived a selfless, obedient life and died a selfless, obedient – and horrific – death. Why would you and I dare to think we are better than Jesus? Why would we even consider living and acting in a way that sets us apart, when He did exactly the opposite? What is keeping you from being the best “human” you can be – even in the midst of this pandemic? Isn’t it time for us to humble ourselves as slaves to the work of Jesus Christ – and get busy serving Him with humility and humanity? Is WWJD your mantra and guiding question? Don’t you think it should be?

Daily Devotional for April 28, 2020 – Are you operating in God’s energy?

Philippians 2:12-13
What I’m getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you’ve done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I’m separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God’s energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

Think back to childhood…wasn’t it relatively easy? Someone told you when to get up, when to go to bed, when to eat, where to go – even what to wear. Much of your life was regimented by the guidance of our parents or other adults in our lives…and we faithfully complied with their directives. We didn’t even have to think about much of it…we just did what we were told.

As we grew and became more independent, the “lessons” of our youth guided many of us. We continued to honor the guidance of our parents as we internalized their instructions – and hopefully the morals and values that they instilled in us. While we can’t say it is always a good thing to be told, “You’re just like your mother/father”…in many instances, this is high praise. It means that we learned their lessons well and carry their “energy” into the next phase of our lives.

This is what Paul is telling the Philippians – and us. Even though Jesus is not with us in the flesh, we can internalize His teachings and directives to operate in God’s energy. Through Salvation in Jesus Christ, we can continue to live in responsive obedience. The end goal is to be like Him…for others to see Jesus in our words and actions and think to themselves, “He/she is like our Heavenly Father!”

This morning, I heard news reports about a respected and beloved Emergency Room physician in New York who took her own life. She was despondent over her experiences treating COVID-19 patients. We hear daily news reports of how “the natives are growing restless” with social distancing and the weariness of dealing with this virus. It would be easy for us to throw up our hands, cry out to God and say, “Enough! I have no energy left for this!”

I get it…I’m as worn out with this as anyone. This is one of those times when horrific things are happening and I don’t have good answers when others ask, “WHY?” I don’t know why God is allowing these things. And I am praying daily that He sends answers and solutions. Meanwhile, I am asking God to fill me with His energy…to give me hope, courage and faith to continue to operate in the teachings of Jesus and honor His incomparable gift of Salvation. There are moments when I falter…I don’t get it right all of the time. I know that I must stay diligent in my efforts to connect with God and receive His instructions and keep my “hope tank” filled. I need His constant encouragement to stay courageous and positive…and so do you.

WE.CAN.DO.THIS! Stay safe, stay well, and keep washing your hands! God is still with us…do you feel His energy? Are you striving every day to be more like Him? Don’t you think you should be?

Daily Devotional for April 27, 2020 – Who are you following?

Matthew 7:21
“Not all who sound religious are really godly people. They may refer to me as ‘Lord,’ but still won’t get to heaven. For the decisive question is whether they obey my Father in heaven.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

It seems that we have a lot of people saying “Do as I say…not as I do” these days. We have leaders telling us to “Wear a mask”…while they continue to walk around uncovered. We have plenty of examples of people speaking and acting in a way that we know goes against God’s laws…and yet, they seem to be given a “pass” for some reason. There are a lot of people who talk about God and act like He is important in their lives. But if you carefully examine their words and actions, you will see that they don’t have a clue who God really is – or have any semblance of a committed and abiding relationship with Him.

Here’s the thing…we cannot have it both ways. We cannot claim to know God – and expect this to be enough. What we say and do really does matter. Who we follow and support speaks volumes about our relationship with our Heavenly Father. If we endorse the words and actions of ungodly people – or look the other way as they operate in falsehoods and sinful behaviors – we grieve God and belie our allegiance to Him. We cannot say one thing and do another. We can’t claim to love and serve God…and then condone the words and actions of those who disrespect Him.

Carefully check the company you are keeping. Examine your own heart and mind and see if you truly are serving and honoring God…or merely giving Him lip service. Who are you listening to and believing these days? Does what they tell you line up with God’s wisdom and directives? Do you truly obey your Heavenly Father…or merely put on a good front for others? The time is here to get serious about our relationship with God. This truly IS a matter of life and death! What will you decide?

Daily Devotional for April 26, 2020 – Are you trying to serve two masters?

Matthew 6:24
“You cannot serve two masters: God and money. For you will hate one and love the other, or else the other way around.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

I was visiting with my cousin a few days ago, and she said her children were asking, “Mom, why can’t we have just one friend over to visit [during this pandemic]?” She said she explained to them again the merits of social distancing…and then she added…”Do you want to see your friends, or do you want to see Gram (their grandmother), because that’s the choice you would be making.” These children adore their Gram…and of course, the answer was obvious.

For many of us, the choices are not often as cut and dried as this one. But this does illustrate how we have decisions to make every day – about a myriad of situations and circumstances. As followers of Jesus Christ, each word and action has Eternal consequences. I know this sounds dramatic…but truly, we are making life and death decisions every single day. Truthfully, a trip to the store could affect our health. This could even be deadly for some, if they fail to take safety precautions like washing hands, wearing a mask, and disinfecting their purchases. And while this doesn’t seem like it qualifies as worship of a “god”…consider that when you choose to do what pleases you over doing what God is telling you to do, you are indeed trying to “serve two masters”.

Now more than ever, you and I need to be seeking God’s will – in everything. I would love to hug more than a few folks…but I know that for now, this would be a selfish action on my part. Truly, every single choice we make these days has consequences and serves what we know God is telling us to do…or serves our own ego, desires – or carelessness. Live intentionally and carefully…listen for God’s voice… and do what He tells you.

Serve God in all things – even something as seemingly “pedestrian” as deciding whether to visit a friend, wear a mask, or return to work and “normal” activities during this pandemic. Trust God to give you sound answers and to “have your back” at every turn. Serve the Risen LORD…not your own desires. I know we are all weary of staying home and being somewhat isolated…but this is not the time to take matters into our own hands – or to make selfish choices.

Choose to serve God, and watch Him bring about abundant blessings and care in your life – and in the lives of others. Stay safe, wash your hands, and hang in there. I am praying for you!

Daily Devotional for April 25, 2020 – What are you doing with God’s gifts?

Matthew 25:14-29
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going into another country, who called together his servants and loaned them money to invest for him while he was gone.

“He gave $5,000 to one, $2,000 to another, and $1,000 to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities—and then left on his trip. The man who received the $5,000 began immediately to buy and sell with it and soon earned another $5,000. The man with $2,000 went right to work, too, and earned another $2,000.

“But the man who received the $1,000 dug a hole in the ground and hid the money for safekeeping.

“After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to him to account for his money. The man to whom he had entrusted the $5,000 brought him $10,000.

“His master praised him for good work. ‘You have been faithful in handling this small amount,’ he told him, ‘so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Begin the joyous tasks I have assigned to you.’

“Next came the man who had received the $2,000, with the report, ‘Sir, you gave me $2,000 to use, and I have doubled it.’

“‘Good work,’ his master said. ‘You are a good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over this small amount, so now I will give you much more.’

“Then the man with the $1,000 came and said, ‘Sir, I knew you were a hard man, and I was afraid you would rob me of what I earned, so I hid your money in the earth and here it is!’

“But his master replied, ‘Wicked man! Lazy slave! Since you knew I would demand your profit, you should at least have put my money into the bank so I could have some interest. Take the money from this man and give it to the man with the $10,000. For the man who uses well what he is given shall be given more, and he shall have abundance. But from the man who is unfaithful, even what little responsibility he has shall be taken from him.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Every day, you and I receive “gifts”…investments…a “seed” to sow. These might come in the form of a kindness from another person…a physical gift…a compliment…a note or word of encouragement…or in some cases, an actual tangible payment of some sort. And then the ball is in our court. Will we show our gratitude by “paying it forward” or multiplying the gift in some manner? Will we squander the blessing – or toss it aside? Will we take the giver for granted and all but expect him/her to treat us with kindness, even when we provide nothing in return?

In this time of social distancing and relative isolation, we are the benefactors of God’s gifts via a number of methods and vehicles. The question becomes…what are you doing with them? How are you showing your respect and gratitude to God…and to His earthly servants? Are you honorable and quick to acknowledge His presence? Do you eagerly seek ways to nurture the “investment”? Do you even bother to say “Thank you!”?

Jesus was clear…the man who is faithful in much will be given much, but he who is unfaithful even in the least will receive little. Serve out of love and a deep desire to honor God and His amazing, abundant gifts. Never try to short-change God or His servants. Share the “wealth” with others and be quick to pay – backward AND forward. And always be kind and grateful for God’s blessings – in whatever form they arrive.

Daily Devotional for April 24, 2020 – Living in Psalm 91…where is your refuge and protection?

Psalm 91:1-6
We live within the shadow of the Almighty, sheltered by the God who is above all gods.

This I declare, that he alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him. For he rescues you from every trap and protects you from the fatal plague. He will shield you with his wings! They will shelter you. His faithful promises are your armor. Now you don’t need to be afraid of the dark anymore, nor fear the dangers of the day; nor dread the plagues of darkness, nor disasters in the morning.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Today is the birthday of my cousin Natalie. I shared a “social distancing” visit with her on her driveway this morning. It was the first time we had physically seen each other since March 15. Of course, we talked a lot about COVID-19 and how we are coping with the restrictions and questions of this deadly virus.

Natalie told me that she has continually admonished her children to “be careful”. She has reminded them that, “If you get hurt, I will be dropping you off at the Emergency Room door – and you will have to go inside by yourself!” She also noted that she is teaching her children Psalm 91…”because this is what I will be praying over you if you get sick or hurt and I cannot be with you.”

This is truly one of my favorite Psalms – mainly because the words are so comforting and encouraging. I picture the “wings” that are mentioned and envision them spread over me, providing incomparable shelter and protection. I truly feel the refuge…I am comforted by the way God guards me from all enemies – including darkness, disasters and diseases. I am free to heave a sigh of relief – and rest confidently in His protective arms.

Perhaps we should all be learning Psalm 91 these days. It is the balm that reminds us Who is really in charge – and where to place our faith and dependence. I am thankful every day for my precious cousin. Today, I am thankful that God used her to remind me of His fidelity, shelter and protection. I live within the shadow of the Almighty, sheltered by the God who is above all gods. That is more than enough of an assurance for this day. Wouldn’t you agree?

Daily Devotional for April 23, 2020 – God is keeping His promises…are we?

Leviticus 23:3-13
Faithfully obey my laws, and I will send rain to make your crops grow and your trees produce fruit. Your harvest of grain and grapes will be so abundant, that you won’t know what to do with it all. You will eat and be satisfied, and you will live in safety. I will bless your country with peace, and you will rest without fear. I will wipe out the dangerous animals and protect you from enemy attacks. You will chase and destroy your enemies, even if there are only five of you and a hundred of them, or only a hundred of you and ten thousand of them.

I will treat you with such kindness that your nation will grow strong, and I will also keep my promises to you. Your barns will overflow with grain each year. I will live among you and never again look on you with disgust. I will walk with you—I will be your God, and you will be my people. I am the Lord your God, and I rescued you from Egypt, so that you would never again be slaves. I have set you free; now walk with your heads held high.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

A friend of mine posted a Facebook photo of roses blooming in his flower bed. He commented, “There are some things the virus cannot bring to a halt.” A local morning news program aired a video of an Arkansas high school choir group’s YouTube performance of a beautiful song called “Still”*. The clouds and rain that darkened our skies all day yesterday and early this morning are giving way to hints of sunshine and bright skies…and the landscape is awash in dozens of shades of green.

If I did the math right, we are in our sixth week of social distancing in Arkansas. People are going a little stir-crazy, and I have no doubt that a lot of folks are terribly lonely – and feeling almost deserted. I am equally certain that many are crying out to God – and even asking Him, “Where ARE You? WHY are You allowing this?”

I don’t have good answers. I see the heartache and destruction this virus is causing…the understandable fear that some have for how they will pay their bills and feed themselves and their children. My heart breaks for those who have lost loved ones to this insipid sickness. I am sad for the children who will miss their high school graduations and senior activities…and those who won’t get summer camp, VBS, or end-of-school activities that were so greatly anticipated. I am even more grieved for the children for whom school attendance was a “life-line” of sorts…and a safe haven in which to experience love and nurture five days per week.

At the same time, I see families spending time together in ways they would never do otherwise. The slower pace is creating room for relationships to flourish. Parents are getting extra time with their seniors and college-aged children that they would otherwise miss. People are reaching out to help each other and creatively developing ways to stay in touch, offer encouragement, and still “make it work”. The choir performance on YouTube is a case in point. I see the world embracing modern technology in a way that allows many of us to stay safe in our homes and still interact, work, worship, shop, and have some semblance of “normalcy”. There is evidence in every corner of the world of ways that God is still walking with us – and rescuing us.

I see this as one of those times when we shake our heads and raise our hands and ask, “LORD, what do you want me to understand in this? What am I to learn?” And God is saying, “Trust me…listen for My voice…and keep the faith. I am working on something big here…and I’ve got you in the palm of My hand.” Smell the roses today…bask in the greenery and renewal of this earth…phone a friend or hug those living in your home. Thank God for His rescue and redemption…and reaffirm your promise to hang in there as He leads us through the days ahead. God will keep His promises to us…can we say the same to Him?

*Central Arkansas Christian Choir “Still”

Daily Devotional for April 22, 2020 – Rally the troops – and continue to serve

Joshua 22:1-5
Joshua now called together the troops from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, and addressed them as follows:

“You have done as the Lord’s disciple Moses commanded you, and have obeyed every order I have given you—every order of the Lord your God. You have not deserted your brother tribes, even though the campaign has lasted for such a long time. And now the Lord our God has given us success and rest as he promised he would. So go home now to the land given you by the Lord’s servant Moses, on the other side of the Jordan River. Be sure to continue to obey all of the commandments Moses gave you. Love the Lord and follow his plan for your lives. Cling to him and serve him enthusiastically.”

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

I took a walk in our neighborhood last night after dinner. As I listened to birds chirp and watched bunnies and squirrels scurry hither and yon, I thanked God that I live in such a relatively safe and untouched place. I thanked Him that I am “isolated” with Greg and our cat…and I reminded myself that many are sheltered in place completely alone. A friend posted on Facebook last night that yesterday had been his hardest day (of this quarantine) so far. He is a single senior citizen, recovering from a broken pelvis, so his contact with the outside world is truly much more limited than mine.

I looked at Greg last night and asked, “How much do you like me?” He frowned, and I explained…”Experts are saying that we could be practicing social distancing well into the fall and beyond.” Greg shook his head and said, “Not that much has changed for us.” And he’s right – in many ways, we were already socially distanced. We rarely leave home or dine out, even when we can! It reminded me of something my grandfather often said about the Great Depression. He noted that people in our part of the country were already so poor and living hand-to-mouth, so they didn’t notice the “lack” like those in more urban areas. The struggle IS relative to your personal situation and surroundings.

I don’t know what this is like for you. Perhaps you are perfectly content at home and find plenty to keep you occupied, interested and upbeat. Or maybe you are so lonely you wonder how you can make it through another day without human contact. As I read this scripture passage, I was reminded that God has truly brought us this far. And each of us has “sacrificed” in some way – if only to forego a haircut or three. We’ve done our part to “flatten the curve”. In even the smallest of ways, many of us have followed orders and served our “tribe”. Yes, it’s taking a long time…and God is still with us, just as He promised.

We can’t lower our guard now. We must “rally the troops” and keep talking to God and asking Him how and where He wants us to continue our practices to reduce the spread of COVID-19. We must ask Him how and where He wants us to serve Him by encouraging others…reaching out to those who are lonely and isolated…and doing whatever we can to make this time more bearable for each other.

I am clinging to the promises of this passage from Joshua 22. I am believing that the LORD is going to bless our efforts and give us “success and rest”. And I am continuing to trust His directives as I wait for the “All Clear” declaration – whenever it may come. Meanwhile, I am clinging to God and serving Him enthusiastically…with assurance that His promises are true and sure. And I continue to thank Him daily for the ways that He blesses me in every circumstance. What about you?

Daily Devotional for April 21, 2020 – Listening for God’s voice…it could be a matter of life and death!

John 8:45-51
I arrive on the scene, tell you the plain truth, and you refuse to have a thing to do with me. Can any one of you convict me of a single misleading word, a single sinful act? But if I’m telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? Anyone on God’s side listens to God’s words. This is why you’re not listening—because you’re not on God’s side.”

The Jews then said, “That clinches it. We were right all along when we called you a Samaritan and said you were crazy—demon-possessed!” Jesus said, “I’m not crazy. I simply honor my Father, while you dishonor me. I am not trying to get anything for myself. God intends something gloriously grand here and is making the decisions that will bring it about. I say this with absolute confidence. If you practice what I’m telling you, you’ll never have to look death in the face.”

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

“Dear FirstKids Families…With much prayer and consideration, we have made the decision to cancel summer camp for 2020. There is still so much unknown about COVID-19 and the uncertainty of how things will play out for the remainder of the summer. While we absolutely trust God during this time and do not want to make decisions based on fear, we also want to use discernment for well-being of the children in our church. We value the health and safety of your children as we would our own. We love and care for them deeply.

This has been an incredibly difficult decision to make. However, we have sacrificed and worked hard to stay healthy for our community and love ones. We do not want to undo our progress. We look forward to being with you and your families again very soon.”

This was the announcement today from our church’s children’s leaders. To say that we are heartbroken would be an understatement. This would have been Timmy’s last year for church camp – unless an exception can be made next year. For a little boy who has already missed so many exciting spring activities (two play performances, an Honor Choir concert and Space Camp, to name a few), this is a truly low blow. I also read that our church conference is discouraging “in-person” VBS for this summer. This is indeed a confusing and frustrating time.

Meanwhile, some states are re-opening. In Georgia, bowling alleys and movie theaters are set to open for business next week…and you can get a tattoo this Friday! Some who applaud these actions would say that we are crazy for heeding the warnings of medical experts and church authorities…and canceling upcoming activities. I am not among them. I applaud our leaders for putting aside their deep desire to gather with our children and share the love of Jesus in favor of considering not only their health and well-being (and that of the counselors) – but also the safety and best interests of their family members. Can you imagine if a family became ill after church camp or VBS? How would the risk of putting a single family member in danger honor our commitment to love and serve Jesus?

I am not accusing those who are so eager to “get back to work/normal” of a lack of Christian faith or devotion. This is not for me to judge…and I completely understand that many are hungry, hurting, confused, frightened, and maybe even wondering where they will lay their head in the coming days/weeks. I also know that many would love to have restrictions lifted on visiting loved ones in hospitals and nursing facilities, others who wish to return to corporate worship, and more than a few who just want to take their kids to a park to play. Trust me when I say that I would love nothing more than to scoop up more than a dozen people in big bear hugs…or to be able to throw caution to the wind and tell our kiddos…”C’mon over for a sleepover!”

I pray every day for God to guide me. In the days leading up to this “quarantine”, I remember asking Him, “Should I go here or there? Should I have dinner with friends tonight or teach Sunday school this week?” I listened carefully for God’s instruction, and when I felt that He was closing doors, I paid attention. I will continue to do this as I re-enter the “outside world” – and I encourage you to do this, too. There is nothing crazy about listening for God’s voice – and following His lead. As Jesus has told us, paying attention to what God tells us may literally be a matter of life and death. Keep listening and praying…and stay safe and well.

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