Many of you know that my husband- David- has been working in Denver since last December. He would usually come home on the weekends or, I would go up there and spend time in the "big city". Now though, things have changed and he will remain in Denver till sometime in June.
We are trying to find ways to keep connected. Zoom, phone calls, Whats App are all good, when the connection is stable. Yesterday, we took a virtual walk together. He around the hotels where he is staying- with empty parking lots, and me, with our grounds. Even though our grounds are pretty dry, at least he was able to see something other than concrete!
This morning I grabbed a couple of books, made a pot of tea and read to him from a book by Bob Goff. "Live In Grace- Walk In Love" ~ A 365- Day Journey. When I finally figured out what day of the year this is (97), my jaw dropped when I saw the passage. I want to share with you now.
Day 97. EVIL ALWAYS LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO WIN- RIGHT BEFORE IT DOESN'T!!
"We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." ~ Romans 8:28
I have a bit of a bias for predictable movies. I want the hero to win and the bad guy to get his just desserts. I want the complicated love story with the uncomplicated ending. I want the asteroid destroyed before Earth gets obliterated.
But even with these kinds of films, there's always an unpredictable turn. The hero is caught in the inescapable chamber, The couple falling in love hurt each other in ways that can't be mended. The bomb designed to save Earth malfunctions during the countdown.
I love these kinds of movies because I think they're an accurate reflection of life. We all know life is unpredictable. The unexpected diagnosis, the lost job, the lost love. Things rarely, if ever, turn out the way we think they will or should. For various reasons, in unexpected ways, life messes up our plans, and that can make us feel unhinged and directionless. What we were counting on evaporates before our very eyes, and we are left empty-handed and empty-hearted.
I think God is the best screenwriter and knows exactly how to land your story, how you will move through the tension and the challenge toward the truth in your life. Just like in the movies, we already know GOD RESCUES ALL OF US IN THE END! Even when it looks like evil is about to win, we know Jesus rose from the grave, kicked death in the teeth, and gave grace the last word.
Don't give into fear just because life took an unpredictable turn. We already know how the story in each of our lives is going to end.
What's unpredictable in your life right now? How are you responding to it?
All the highlighted words were from day 97 by Bob Goff.
WOW! I don't know about you but out of all the unpredictable scenarios that I could think of, not once did I think of something like this Covid-19. I thought maybe the dog would get sick on the weekend or, I would need a plumber- again- on the weekend And, if I am being honest, the first two weeks I was alright but, then when further restrictions were put into place, it knocked the breath out of me and I started feeling directionless and a little suffocated. I haven't felt unhinged yet- unless you consider trying to play, "for a cookie, name the capitol of Arkansas" with my dogs. For the record, my German Shepard said he didn't care and to give him the cookie and no one would get hurt!
But, I read Bob's words again and again and looked at the words, "don't give into fear". How many times have we read that in the bible? "Do not be afraid" or, "fear not". 365 times from what I have read and heard. 365 times!! One for each day of the year!! And, yes, that is easier said than done these days. We are uncertain what is going to happen and, let's face it, for people that like to plan, that are extroverts, that like to be in control- this "uncertainty" has the ability to knock our socks off and to make us feel directionless. I was talking to a friend of mine in Denver and we both exclaimed that if we don't learn something from this or, because of this, by the time this is over then we wasted a gift from God. It's difficult to think of this pandemic as a gift and, I'm not saying that I am there...yet. I hope you know what I am talking about. It is a time for us to figure out what is really important. It is a time to learn from one another. It is a time of devotion. It is a time to divinely worship God. It is a time of joy and sorrow. It is a time for love and forgiveness. But, right now- it is time for bed!
Good night and God bless-
Pamela Nelson-Serafini
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