As news of the virus becomes more inescapable, I thought it would be helpful to just start noticing the good things, the blessings, and all the ways that I still feel God meeting me exactly where I’m at during this time of uncertainty. I’ll be sharing these things regularly as a reminder to me and as an encouragement for you to look for them in your life as well. God is over this and He’s in it with us. Here’s how that looked today.
A Photo From Today
We have some massive 50+ year old trees in our yard which had recently just shedded some catkin-type things and they all got stuck in the gutter shields, causing a massive puddle on our driveway after it had rained all night. Kevin and I spent some time with the power washer (on a low setting) getting those unstuck, which turned into power washing the siding and patio in the rain.
Psalm 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
Counting the Joy
Finding new ways to digitally communicate with family and friends
A company that’s allowing me to continue working from home
Unread books on my shelf
Listening to thunderstorms from the couch
Playing in the rain, and having rain boots to walk right through puddles
Amazing weather that has allowed us to spend lots of time outside
Audiobooks downloaded from the library
Magnolias (and tons of other flowers) blooming
Having all the windows open
Online church services
YouTubers and all content creators that are keeping us entertained
Special thanks to anyone deemed “essential” and people on the frontlines who regularly putting themselves at risk for the safety and health of others.
As news of the virus becomes more inescapable, I thought it would be helpful to just start noticing the good things, the blessings, and all the ways that I still feel God meeting me exactly where I’m at during this time of uncertainty. I’ll be sharing these things regularly as a reminder to me and as an encouragement for you to look for them in your life as well. God is over this and He’s in it with us. Here’s how that looked today.
A Photo From Today
Psalm 77
1 I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. 2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted.
3 I remembered you, God, and I groaned; I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.[b] 4 You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak. 5 I thought about the former days, the years of long ago; 6 I remembered my songs in the night. My heart meditated and my spirit asked:
7 “Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? 8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? 9 Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”
10 Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. 11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
12 I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
13 Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? 14 You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. 15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
16 The waters saw you, God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed. 17 The clouds poured down water, the heavens resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth. 18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. 19 Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.
20 You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
As news of the virus becomes more inescapable, I thought it would be helpful to just start noticing the good things, the blessings, and all the ways that I still feel God meeting me exactly where I’m at during this time of uncertainty. I’ll be sharing these things regularly as a reminder to me and as an encouragement for you to look for them in your life as well. God is over this and He’s in it with us. Here’s how that looked today.
As news of the virus becomes more inescapable, I thought it would be helpful to just start noticing the good things, the blessings, and all the ways that I still feel God meeting me exactly where I’m at during this time of uncertainty. I’ll be sharing these things regularly as a reminder to me and as an encouragement for you to look for them in your life as well. God is over this and He’s in it with us. Here’s how that looked today.
A Photo From Today
The sunset was beautiful on my walk this evening.
Social Distancing To Do List Update
Catch up on Project Life/scrapbooking projects
Shred everything in the shred bin
Host Zoom meetings or Group FaceTime hangs with friends
Go down a YouTube rabbit hole – starting with minimalism videos
Unplug for 24 hours (probably going to need it!)
Work on my cross-stitch quilt
Take an online course
Try a new recipe
Clean up the leaves in our yard
Start planning my summer garden
Make dog treats
Make a watercolor painting
Make a magazine collage journal
ADD
Clean out the garage
Read an entire book on my iPad
Take photos of our house
Make a mini book for my 2020 One Little Word
A Quote on Prayer by Shauna Niequist
“… when you begin to pray … picture a bottle of oil-and-vinegar salad dressing … the vinegar, probably red wine vinegar, rests on top of the olive oil, softly red, flecked with oregano. The green-yellow oil is at the bottom of the bottle, rich and flavorful. Geri said that when you begin to pray, pour out the vinegar first – the acid, whatever’s troubling you, whatever hurt you, whatever is harsh and jangling your nerves or spirit. You pour that out first … Pour out all the vinegar until it’s gone. Then what you find underneath is the oil, glistening and thick … life is not all vinegar – puckery and acidic. It is also oil, luscious, thick, heavy with history and flavor. But you have to start with the vinegar or you’ll never experience the oil … Many of us learned along with the way to ignore the vinegar … And then pray dutiful, happy prayers. But this is what i’m learning about prayer: you don’t get the oil until you pour out the vinegar.” – Present Over Perfect, p. 74 – 75
As news of the virus becomes more inescapable, I thought it would be helpful to just start noticing the good things, the blessings, and all the ways that I still feel God meeting me exactly where I’m at during this time of uncertainty. I’ll be sharing these things regularly as a reminder to me and as an encouragement for you to look for them in your life as well. God is over this and He’s in it with us. Here’s how that looked today.
Photos From Today
Magnolias on my walk today. A perfect reminder of our good good Father.
Figuring out our new “normal” includes curbside pick up to support our favorite local businesses and restaurants. Thankful to be doing this with Kev.
Matthew 11:28-30
28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Thoughts
We’ve officially been social distancing for 9 days. I’m currently working in-office during the week days but Kevin is working from home. A lot of the city is shut down, and feels almost apocalyptic at times. As I mentioned above, we’ve ventured out of the house, to get curbside pick up at some of our favorite spots. Otherwise, there are lots of places that are closed and we’ve been to the grocery store once (which is 100% unlike us)! I’m primarily doing whatever I can to keep myself busy – hence the to do list. I know there’s some internet hate about lists like that, but it’s the way I cope.
There’s always a fine line when it comes to social media and news, but that line has definitely become less and less as the days progress. I’m trying to read more books, go on more walks, nap, and keep up with my journaling practice to keep myself from the internet and the plethora of scary information out there.
As news of the virus becomes more inescapable, I thought it would be helpful to just start noticing the good things, the blessings, and all the ways that I still feel God meeting me exactly where I’m at during this time of uncertainty. I’ll be sharing these things regularly as a reminder to me and as an encouragement for you to look for them in your life as well. God is over this and He’s in it with us. Here’s how that looked today.
A Photo From Today
Wise Words from Emma Zeck
With this open time
You do not have to write the next bestselling novel
You do not have to get in the best shape of your life
You do not have to start that podcast
What you can do instead is observe this pause as an opportunity
The same systems we see crumbling in society are being called to crumble in each of us individually
The systems that taught us we are machines that live to produce and we are disposable if we are not doing so
The systems that taught us monetary gain takes priority over humanity
The systems that create our insecurities then capitalize off them
What if we became curious with this free time, and had no agenda other than to experience being?
What if you created art for the sake of creating?
What if you allowed yourself to rest and cry and laugh and play and get curious about whatever arises in you?
What if our true purpose is in this space?
As if mother earth is saying: we can no longer carry on this way. The time is now – I am reminding you who you are. Will you remember?
Stuck in my Head
Way Maker Miracle worker Promise keeper Light in the darkness My God That is who you are
You wipe away all tears You mend the broken heart You’re the answer to it all Jesus.
Even when I don’t see it, You’re working Even when I don’t feel it, You’re working You never stop, you never stop working You never stop, you never stop working
Way Maker Miracle worker Promise keeper Light in the darkness My God That is who you are
