Encouragement

 

 

Most people I know need encouragement for the next step of their journey. This year has been difficult in more ways than we can count. Everything in life has been flipped upside down and life stress has intensified, especially for people who have children under age eighteen.

 

God has been realigning priorities, habits, life patterns, thinking, feelings, and relationships. His movement in our lives is usually uncomfortable and can be painful.

 

He has also called America to attention and is requiring serious repentance over the wickedness in our land. God has been shaking our nation and trying to awaken us to come out of our comfortable stupor.

 

Our personal and national shaking has caused us to wonder when will all of this be over. Every day we get up and face “COVID” in some kind of way and we despise this pandemic. We can ignore it to the degree we can, but it is still “in our face” every day. The impact of COVID has touched every aspect of our lives in some kind of way.

 

My plans for September were to travel to Italy and meander through the countryside, villages, and cities, taking in the sights, sounds, culture, and aroma of Italian food while painting along the way.

 

All happy plans for travel ceased in March, and instead of travel and living our  “normal” lives, God  revealed what is really important:

 

our relationship with Him, our families, friends, and His priorities!

 

Some of us have learned to “stop and smell the roses,” magnolias, look at the butterflies, and the intricate detail of flowers.  Some have reconnected with their families and children in special ways.

 

Slowing down, calming our spirits and listening to silence can soothe our souls. Being still and “waiting on the Lord” has a renewed sweetness in the midst of uncertainties.

 

Be encouraged, my friend, as we allow the Lord to be our Shepherd as He leads us beside still waters and restores our soul.  We will all make it to the other side and be changed in the process.  Psalm 23 – A Psalm of David.

 

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures.  He leads me beside still waters.

He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk  through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord

forever.

Brenda’s painting,  Still Waters, is available for purchase.