Let's take a moment to STOP and smell the flowers! Anxiety, stress, panic, fear, heartbreak, and chaos are just a few things that we have experienced within our country in the last few days. We are in new and uncharted territory. This pandemic has effected everyone in some form or another from schools, sports, businesses, hospitals, churches, and so much more. I am coming to you and my readers today as a mom, teacher, worship leader, and friend to try and bring a message of hope during this time of uncertainty. To be honest, I am still processing it all! I am still trying to wrap my brain around it as I am sure most of you are doing as well. We are searching for answers. We are praying for peace! We are facing a new reality. I had heard the rumors but I felt that they were just rumors. I really did not expect them to shut down our schools, cancel our doctors appointments, limit hospital visitors and our church gatherings, or cease traveling. When I received the news Friday, I was getting ready to teach Math. I was shocked! I had so many thoughts running through my mind that I was very unsure on what to do or say. It did not feel real as I said goodbye to the students and left the school grounds. I really thought that it would blow over and things would settle back into normal. Normal! What is normal? I am not sure about you but my normal has been pushing myself way beyond my limits. My normal has been going here, going there, doing this, doing that, being a wife, being a mom, teaching Kindergarten, going to college, doing homework with the kids, doing homework for myself, paying bills, doing laundry, cooking supper, cleaning house, finding time to pray, finding time for my family, reading my bible, and getting everything ready to do it all over again the next day. My normal has been exhausting. I love my life, my family, and my church. I am truly blessed! However, I know that I pushed myself because I felt that I had to do it because it was expected and normal. Even though I am still processing and was in total shock of the shut down, I know that God was not shocked by any of it. This did not surprise him in any way. He is not processing it as I am. He is not thinking it through as most of us are. Isaiah 55:8-9 says " 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." We may not understand all the logistics of this pandemic, however God does. He knows the end from the beginning. Isaiah 46:10 tells us " I declare the end from the beginning, and from long ago what is not yet done, saying: my plan will take place, and I will do all my will." He has a plan and His will will come to pass. Maybe His plan is to slow us down and bring us back to Him. I can only speak for me and mine but I have been so busy! It is a busy of good things but still busy. I have been trying to do it all and have it all. We have all been so busy with life and things of life. It is not that they are bad things but even the good things that take precedence over our relationship with God are considered idols or snares. Psalm 106:36 says "And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them." Are we really putting God first? Are we really relying and trusting in him? Are we pleasing him in all of our ways or are we pleasing the work of our hands?
"Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made." (Isaiah 2:8)
We overwork ourselves and push ourselves beyond our limits and for what? Is it personal gain, position, status, a promotion, or is it for the work of God? We say that it is for the benefit of our families. We say that it is for the Kingdom of God. We say that it is for others and not ourselves. We say a lot but what good are we if we are burned out in actions and half-hearted in our walk with God? God knows our hearts and the intent of our hearts. He also knows what we need and when we need it the most. Philippians 4:13 says "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." I realize that there is an upset within the communities about the recent shutdown or slowdown. Some of it is very disappointing. It is because we are not used to this speed. We are used to the culture of convenience, the fast and furious, as well as prime delivery. We must slow down, take a breath and allow faith to rise over fear. We must pray instead of panic. We must use wisdom in the midst of chaos. When the children of Israel marked the doorpost for the Passover, they did not go outside the home. Exodus 12: 21-23 tells us "21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover. 22 And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. 23 For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you." They were in obedience to the authority of Moses and waited inside the home during the Passover. We must use wisdom and be obedient to the higher authorities. The Bible tells us to do so.
"Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience." (Romans 13:5)
If you are not able to attend your church due to limited gathering, join or tune in online. That is one plus of Facebook or webcasts. Churches are able to broadcast to and reach the world via internet. We must find joy in this journey. It is all in perspective. I have had to take a step back, even in ministry. I did not want to but felt it necessary for this season I am currently in. Many people have prayed for more time. Many have desired more time with family and to have less stress. Many have wished that they could stop the busyness of it all. Some have toyed with the idea of homeschooling or being a stay at home mom. Well, here is the glimpse. Your prayer, desire, wish is now a reality. However, if none of this was your wish, there is still joy in the journey.
Now is our chance to make up for lost time with family. It is now time to take advantage of distancing ourselves from the hustle and bustle of the world. We now have an opportunity to make the most of our time with God more than ever before. We can focus our attention on Him. We can purge our hearts, prioritize our thoughts and lives, and reflect on God's many blessings that we take advantage of each day. I will give you two examples. I have been praying for years for someone special to get his dream job thinking that he deserved more than his current placement. Do not get me wrong! He is incredible, super smart, talented, kind, passionate, compassionate, etc. He does deserve more and when God says it is time, he will be blessed with more! However, this pandemic has made me realize that I should be thankful in all things because he is currently not having to worry about his job as others are. He is on the front line of the medical field. Also, my children have asked several times for me to home school them. I have always refused due to the fact that I felt it was not what was best for them. My children are now catching a glimpse of Mama Tia's Home School and I do not think they are loving it. They are now understanding why we are not ready for this full time. There is joy in the journey no matter what side you are on. Look for the positive! Count it all joy!
"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. ..." (James 1:2)
There is beauty in brokenness. There is hope and He is not of this world. He has all things in his hands. So, let there be prayer over panic today. If you feel overwhelmed with anxiety and feel panic, spend some time in prayer. Take advantage of the distancing. There is power in prayer. Pray for our nation, leaders, pastors, authorities, educators, elders, medical employees, oil field workers, students, and families. Pray for wisdom during the chaos. Say a special prayer for those that are sick and unable to be with their loved ones due to isolation. We are all in uncharted waters and need the Lord to guide our thoughts and our steps. Let there be faith over fear. Fear has no place. Stress has no place! Perfect love casts out all fear. I pray against the fear and stress of the unknown that has gripped our nation. I pray that all will be comforted and peace would surround you! I pray that the strongholds of stress and anxiety would release in the name of Jesus. I pray that this would be a message of hope to you and your family. Take courage! Our hope is not of this world! He knows what is going on. He is not blinded or shocked by recent events. He has a plan! Trust and rely on Him. Take advantage of the slow down and spend some time with God and your family. Make sure you have prayer over panic, faith over fear, wisdom in chaos, and joy in your journey. In Jesus Name!
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