It is after midnight.

Our family has been keeping odd hours since the pandemic began.

The boys are upstairs playing a video game with their friends.

My husband and I are settled in on the couch, halfway through an episode of Homeland.

That’s when it happens.

The WiFi goes down.

Understandably with everything else going on right now, this disruption pales in comparison.

But it did create some chaos in our household.

Not only did it mean no Madden or binge watching a favorite show, but it also meant no streaming of church services or bible study on Zoom the next day.

We lost our access.

Not having personal contact with those we love has been a struggle for many throughout this pandemic.

But we never have to worry ourselves with losing personal contact with the One who loves us the most.

We can rest in the promise we always have full access to our Heavenly Father.

“For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” Ephesians 2:18 NIV

God will never deny us access to His glorious presence.

That does not mean that the enemy will not try to put up obstacles to weaken our connection.

The technician who came to restore our internet explained that there were several nicks in the cable wires outside of the house.

However, for safety precautions he could not travel inside to access the situation further.

My son ran up and down the stairs, taking pictures of the wires connected to the modem so the technician could see where the problem was occurring.

We were looking right at it, but he could see something we couldn’t see.

But it was up to us to fix the problem inside.

Does this speak to anyone else?

We may not always see obstacles, even when they are right in front of us.

What can we do when we feel like we have lost our connection?

First, pray.

God never withholds Himself from us.

“Praise be to God,

    who has not rejected my prayer

    or withheld his love from me!” Psalms 66:20 NIV

Second, get into the Word.

The Bible is God’s love letter to His children.  

“You have searched me, Lord,

    and you know me.

You know when I sit and when I rise;

    you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down;

    you are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word is on my tongue

    you, Lord, know it completely.”  Psalms 139:1-4 NIV

Finally, stay connected to other believers.

Sometimes our brothers and sisters can help us see problems when our vision is blurred.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10: 24-25 NIV

Friends, it is up to each of us to take care of what is happening on the inside.

But take heart, we are not alone.

We have full access to the One who knows how we are wired.

Amen.

Like many, I have been taking advantage of this time at home doing projects.

Decluttering closets, drawers, and rooms in the house.

Do you have that one spot that you store up the things you have not been able to part with yet?

Maybe it is a drawer, a closet.

Mine is the back basement.

This area in our house holds toys, decorations and boxes and boxes of memories.

It’s my “I’ll deal with it later” area.

I put things here to forget about them for a while.

I distract myself or tell myself I am too busy.

I avoid dealing with them for a bit longer.

Maybe because it is too messy or too hard to deal with that moment.

So as I made my way to the basement in my yoga pants and sweatshirt (my daily attire these days), I already knew I would stir up more than dust in the lower level of the house.

I would have to decide what I would hold onto and what I needed to finally let go of. 

Confession? 

I like to hold onto things.

Chances are if you wrote me a note in junior high or sent me a card or letter in college, I still have it. 

Trust me on this one.  

And pictures?  

Do not even get me started.

I unearthed many treasures, ones that brought me many smiles and laughs throughout the afternoon.

But as I came to my parents boxes, I found myself drowning in feelings of grief.

It has been almost eight years since my Mom has passed, nine for my Dad.

My sisters and I took a weekend to go through their belongings years ago.

It was emotionally draining.

We made a dent, but there was so much more to go through.

We said we would get together another time to go through the rest.

But that day never came.

So I gave myself over to this day with little expectation other than to feel their loss deeply.

To laugh, to cry.

To let go of a little more.

I moved through items that had not been touched in years.

Boxes of manilla envelopes, filled with receipts that dated back decades.

Tax returns, gas bills, telephone bills.

Organized by year, day to day life.

Their life.

And almost ceremoniously, after getting an “its ok” from one of my sisters, I burned these symbols of a life lived well.

A life that is no longer lived here.

Maybe by surrounding myself with these pieces of Mom and Dad, I could keep a piece of them present in the place where they lived out their last days.

A place where they took their last breaths.

And as I watched the flames dance in the fire pit under the starlit sky, I cried knowing that their life is not here anymore.

Some days, I put that emotion on the shelf to deal with later.

And other days I give into the wave of emotion that crashes over me.

The waves eventually subside.

And I resurface a little lighter.

When I dust off the boxes filled with memories, I take comfort in knowing where Mom and Dad’s life is right now.

And that the impact of their love still lives on.

The heaviness of grief was felt by Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James when they went to the tomb to anoint Jesus ‘ body.

I am sure that when they saw that the stone was rolled away from the tomb, a wave of emotion crashed over them.

But these waves subsided when they were told that Jesus was not there.

They must have felt lighter when they were told He had risen.

“When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” Mark 16: 1-7 NIV

There was comfort in knowing that even though Jesus was no longer with them, He had life with His Heavenly Father.

His life was no longer there, but the impact of His love still lived on.

The impact of His love still lives on.

That is the hope that sustains us.

May that hope along with His peace be with you today.

The alarm clock buzzes, jolting us awake.

The coffee pot brews a cup of morning motivation.

A quick kiss goodbye to a loved one before racing out the door to work.

For some, this is what the morning routine looks like.

It’s just another day.

Business as usual.

But the weeks that have preceded Holy Week have looked anything but usual.

Truck drivers, cashiers at grocery stores, janitors, police officers, EMTS, doctors and nurses.

Anyone deemed essential has had to go through the motions of the daily routine, knowing the dangers that lie ahead.

And everyday they go.

Daily serving that others might have the essentials.

Daily serving that others might be safe.

Daily serving that others might live.

Friends and neighbors, giving up time with their own families and loved ones.

Putting others above themselves.

Such an example of real love.

“We know what real love is because Jesus gave up His life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.”

1 John 3:16 NLT

I wonder if there are times some wish they would have chosen a different career path.

Times of doubt.

Most probably never envisioned the circumstances that they find themselves in now.

It is hard to fathom.

But Jesus knew this feeling well.

He gave up being in heaven with the Father to come to earth in human form.

He walked among those who were broken and sick, not just in body but in spirit.

Jesus came for healing’s sake.

Jesus had loved ones He would leave behind.

His mother, His disciples, His friends.

And just before He would be led away to complete His work, He would sit down for a meal with His disciples one last time.

Like He had done many times before with those He loved.

He knew the dangers that were before Him.

So He went to God in prayer.

“Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. There He told them, “Pray that you will not give in to temptation.” He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened Him. He prayed more fervently, and He was in such agony of spirit that His sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.”  Luke 22:39-44 NLT

What I love most about this passage are the words “as usual.”

Jesus did not set an alarm clock or put on a pot of coffee as part of His usual routine.

He went to God in prayer.

Regardless of the circumstances, Jesus daily spent time with Father God.

When Jesus had doubts and fears about the path He was on, He sat at His Father’s feet.

Friends, that is what our heavenly Father wants us to do now.

Bring your worries and fears and give them to the One who is larger than any burden we carry.

He will give you strength.

And as you sit at His feet, lift up those who are truly acting as the hands and feet of Christ in a broken world, that they might be strengthened and protected as well.

Amen.

“He’s got the whole world in His hands

He’s got the whole world in His hands

He’s got the whole world in His hands

He’s got the whole world in His hands…”

Maybe like me, you remember this song from Sunday School or Vacation Bible School.

You are probably humming the tune right now.

According to Wikipedia, this African American spiritual was first published in 1927, and recorded 30 years later by singer Laurie London.

There is something about these simple lyrics that give me comfort, especially now.

God has the whole world in His hands.

Babies, brothers, sisters.

Doctors, nurses, cashiers at the grocery store.

You and me.

Everyone.

“So God created human beings in His own image. In the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.”  Genesis 1:27 NLT

Everything.

“On the seventh day God had finished His work of creation, so He rested from all His work.”

 Genesis 2:2 NLT

HIS.

Our heavenly Father sees our brokenness, our fears and worries.

He desires us to draw close to Him, just like a parent shows love and tenderness to a child.

“The Lord is like a father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him.”

  Psalm 103 :13 NLT

Circumstances will change, but the love of the Lord remains forever.

“But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear Him. His salvation extends to the children’s children.”  Psalm 103:17 NLT

Our Abba Father does not want us to be fearful as we face trials and tribulations,, but to seek our strength from Him.

“So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when He adopted you as His own children. Now we call him “Abba, Father.”  Romans 8:15 NLT

“And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering.” Romans 8: 17 NLT

In our present circumstances, we can draw comfort in knowing that we are HIS.

And as His children, made in His image, let us reflect His light and love into a world that is in need of hope and comfort.

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children.” Ephesians 5:1 NLT

Remember friends….

He’s got the whole world in His hands.

And there is no better place to be.

Amen.

Now I lay me down to sleep….

I don’t know about you, but laying down has not been the challenge lately.

Shutting my mind off so that I can actually fall asleep is a different story.

Increasing reports on the spread of the coronavirus, stay in place orders, businesses and schools closing.

So many what ifs ….

Worst case scenarios dart around my mind like children running on a playground.

Everyday the news around the country seems to get worse.

But everyday I have a decision to make.

Which news do I turn my attention to: the local news or the Good News?

In a time when everything feels uncertain, we must grasp onto God’s truth.

Our God is unchanging, even when the world around us is in constant flux.

Let’s go to the book of Psalms.

When we cry out to our Heavenly Father, He will sustain us.

“But, You, O Lord, are a shield for me.

My glory and the One who lifts up my head,

I cried out to the Lord with my voice,

And He heard me from His holy hill.  

Selah..

I lay down and slept;

I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.”  Psalm 3 :3-5

Notice the word Selah at the end of the first verse.  

There are several meanings listed for this word.  

One means “to praise.”  

Another defines Selah as a pause or break, a time to reflect.  

How timely this is right now, as we have a break in our normally busy routines to reflect on God’s presence..

Finally, my favorite interpretation of the word Selah means “forever.”

Our circumstances will pass, but our God is forever.

God is good and our safety is found in Him.

“There are many who say,

“Who will show us any good?”

Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.

You have put gladness in my heart.

More than in the season that their grain and wine increased,

I will both lie down in peace, and sleep.

For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”  Psalm 4 :6-8

Friends, as we start each day, let us direct our concerns to Him.

“Give ear to my words, O Lord.

Consider my meditation.

Give heed to the voice of my cry,

My King and my God.

For to You I will pray.

My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord.

In the morning, I will direct it to You.

And I will look up.”  Psalm 5 :1-3

Begin each day looking up.

Take time to reflect on a God who is good forever.

May He sustain you throughout the day and before you lie down in the safety of His arms at night.

Rest well.

Peace, love and good health to you all.

Connections are important, even if they are at a distance.

At 1:00 am this morning, I was texting with a few friends, discussing what is happening in our world.

We are all awake.

Sleep eludes us.

Everything feels like it is changing.

And to be honest, it feels a little scary.

Almost overnight, our country seems unrecognizable.

The impact of the coronavirus, or COVID 19, seems to worsen with each passing day.

Our normal routines have been interrupted.

Some have come to a screeching halt.

Schools and colleges have dismissed students for the remainder of the semester to go to online learning.

Restaurants have been reduced to take out only.

Non-essential businesses have shut their doors..

The stock market has plummeted to new lows.

Grocery stores and markets shelves lie empty.

Sports have suspended playtime and major events, like March Madness and the Masters.

Visitation has been restricted to nursing homes and senior living apartments to keep our most vulnerable population safe.

Even places of worship have moved to online services to prevent the spread of disease.

It is a time and place that feels unfamiliar and unsettling.

Social distancing has now become a part of our everyday vocabulary.

According to Merriam Webster, the first known use of this term was in 2003 and is defined as:

“the practice of maintaining a greater than usual physical distance from other people or of avoiding direct contact with people or objects in public places during the outbreak of a contagious disease in order to minimize exposure and reduce the transmission of infection.”

Even though the terminology is different, the act of separation from others due to illness goes back to Biblical times,

Quarantine and isolation are found in Leviticus, for example.

“The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “If anyone has a swelling or a rash or discolored skin that might develop into a serious skin disease, that person must be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons. The priest will examine the affected area of the skin. If the hair in the affected area has turned white and the problem appears to be more than skin-deep, it is a serious skin disease, and the priest who examines it must pronounce the person ceremonially unclean.

“But if the affected area of the skin is only a white discoloration and does not appear to be more than skin-deep, and if the hair on the spot has not turned white, the priest will quarantine the person for seven days.  On the seventh day the priest will make another examination. If he finds the affected area has not changed and the problem has not spread on the skin, the priest will quarantine the person for seven more days.” Leviticus 13: 1-5 NLT

Can you imagine being unable to touch those you love or meet with them?

Though the terms and diseases are different than today, the feelings are the same.

When we are told we cannot gather, we feel more alone than ever.

Isolation is a strategy the enemy uses to make us question our faith.

But our Heavenly Father wants us to come to Him with our questions, fears and worries.

He does not want us to face this day alone.

Nothing can separate us from His love.

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” Romans 8:38 NLT

That is what I am holding onto during this time of chaos.

Friends, so many of us are feeling anxious and afraid in this time of uncertainty.

But even though we are asked to adhere to social distancing, we are never asked to stay distant from God.

Distance from God is what makes us feel unsure, not the circumstances going on around us.

And when our anxiety increases, tune out the news and tune into Him.

Start your morning with praise and worship at the feet of the One who is a constant in ever changing times.

That is not to say we should not stay informed.  

We need to keep updated on what is happening around us.

But we need daily time in His presence.

And as a community of believers, we also need to stay connected to each other.

How grateful I am we live in a time when technology allows us to watch an online sermon or Facetime with a friend.

As the hands and feet of Jesus, we can reach out in other ways, like shopping for someone who is at risk and cannot leave home, sending cards and letters to nursing homes and mental health facilities that cannot receive visitors, or supporting local businesses by ordering take out.

Brothers and sisters, this is a time that the world can see that we are Christians by our love for each other.

Stay connected.

Connections are important, even if they are at a distance.

“This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”  John 13 : 35 MSG

He jumped off the bus and saw him in the distance by our mailbox.

My Dad was waiting for my youngest to get home from school.

As soon as Dan got a glimpse of Pappy, he took off like a shot.

Gratefully, my phone was handy and I was able to capture the moment he ran into his arms.

It was a treasured moment.

I don’t know if something happened in school that day or if it was just the excitement of someone waiting for him.

But whatever the circumstance, my son knew that he had a safe place to land in my father’s arms.

Do you ever feel that sense of wanting just to land safely in the arms of someone who loves you?

Maybe you have had a bad day.  

Maybe there has been pain and heartbreak in your life.

Maybe it is just the comfort of knowing there is someone out there waiting for you who cares.

We have a heavenly Father who cares so deeply for His children.

God waits for us to reach out to Him.

He wants to comfort us on our sad days.

He wants to rejoice with us on our good days.

Our heavenly Father simply wants to be in our presence to let us know how much He cares.

“The LORD waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for him to help them” Isaiah 30:18

With all of the changes swirling around us today, I am in desperate need of knowing that I can run into the arms of someone who cares.

Run into His arms today, friends.

He is waiting for you.

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High

    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

 This I declare about the Lord:

He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;

    He is my God, and I trust Him.

 For He will rescue you from every trap

    and protect you from deadly disease.

 He will cover you with His feathers.

    He will shelter you with His wings.

    His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,

    nor the arrow that flies in the day.

 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,

    nor the disaster that strikes at midday.” Psalm 91 :1-6 NLT

“That’s the boy I met at school today!” exclaimed my son.

Just entering kindergarten, I was excited to see another child Dan could connect with in our neighborhood.

Without thinking, I began yelling and sprinting across the lawn to catch up with this boy and his mother.

And then it happened.

I was suddenly airborne, landing on the hard ground and spraining my ankle.

I had tripped over a metal drainage pipe that I had not seen.

But I was seen….

By the boys kindergarten teacher who just happened to be walking her dog up the street at the same time, bearing witness to my gracefulness.

Good times.

Acting without thinking resulted in a badly sprained ankle this time.

If only I had not acted on impulse.

This is also true when I am not staying close to God.

It is easier to trip and fall.

When my focus is not on Him, I can be thrown off the path of walking in His will.

“In Scripture it says,

“Look! I am placing a stone in Zion.

    It is a chosen and very valuable stone.

    It is the most important stone in the building.

The one who trusts in Him

    will never be put to shame.” (Isaiah 28:16)

This stone is very valuable to you who believe. But to people who do not believe,

“The stone the builders did not accept

    has become the most important stone of all.” (Psalm 118:22)

 And,

“It is a stone that causes people to trip.

    It is a rock that makes them fall.” (Isaiah 8:14)

They trip and fall because they do not obey the message. That is also what God planned for them.

“But God chose you to be his people. You are royal priests. You are a holy nation. You are God’s special treasure. You are all these things so that you can give Him praise. God brought you out of darkness into His wonderful light.  Once you were not a people. But now you are the people of God. Once you had not received mercy. But now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2: 6-10 NIRV

God gives us His commandments and direction to keep us safe.

When we are outside of His will, it is easier to stumble and fall.

We often react based on our emotions before thinking through to the consequences.

But we are God’s people.

He chose us and desires to be in relationship with us.

And on those days we trip and fall, He is always willing to give us grace until we get on our feet again.

But just like my sprained ankle, there may be some discomfort as we try to get back on the right path.

Friends, take the time to pause, ponder and pray before you step into your day.

It will help you stay focused on His path for your life.

And when you lose your footing, remember His mercies are new everyday.

Praise be!

What are you giving up for Lent?

Leading into Easter, this was the question that was asked every year.

Growing up, my list always included potato chips, chocolate and soda.

No small sacrifice for a teenager.

The temptation of junk food seemed to be everywhere.

A friend even hid chocolate under my pillow one year to tempt me.

With a sense of pride having put down these things for 40 days, I would celebrate Easter morning with a bag of Middleswarth BBQ, a sleeve of frozen Thin Mints and a Diet Coke.

The sacrifice had been worth it.

My understanding of this time leading up to Easter has expanded as I matured in both years and in my faith walk.

The temptation of junk food is still everywhere.

It is no longer just in the form of sugar or carbohydrates.

Many things will tempt us with the promise of filling us up.

Stacked schedules, unhealthy habits, social media.

And when we are hungry, physically, emotionally or spiritually, it is tempting to reach for what fills us quickly.

But just like a sugar rush, the feeling of satisfaction is short lived.

We need a steady diet of time in His word and in His presence.

The world is saturated with temptations that will distract us from spending time with our Heavenly Father.

Jesus understood temptation.

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil.  

For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.

During that time the devil came and said to him, 

“If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

But Jesus told him, 

“No! The Scriptures say,

‘People do not live by bread alone,

    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,

‘He will order his angels to protect you.

And they will hold you up with their hands

    so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.”

 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.”

Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”

“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. 

“For the Scriptures say,

‘You must worship the Lord your God

    and serve only Him.”

Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.“  Matthew 4: 1-11 NLT

Jesus was not focused on the temporary.

His eyes were fixed on the eternal.

The forty days He spent in the desert were nothing compared to the sacrifice He made on the cross.

But He knew that sacrifice would be worth it.

Nothing we will ever give up here on earth can compare to that.

But we can use the time during Lent to reflect on His sacrifice.

A sacrifice that was born from our Father’s great love for you and for me.

“God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.”  1 John 4:9 NLT

What will you put down to spend time in His presence today?

Whatever you give up, I promise it will be worth it.

And the celebration on Easter morning will be filled with more than potato chips and Girl Scout cookies.

It will be filled with the hope and promise of a life with Him in the heavenly realms.

What will you give up for Lent?