Beloved.
The Lord is My Shepard, I lack nothing.
The last month, with this pandemic, has caused some interesting things to happen in the world as we know it. At first, we all listened to the news as they talked about China having a new strain of an old virus. Flu like in nature but affecting older people and those with low immunities quite devastatingly. And then those traveling brought it to their home countries. Just like the flu, a simple cough or sneeze uncovered allowed this to spread in to the communities. China, South Korea and Italy are now in epidemic levels. Yesterday, in a 24 hour period Italy's death toll jumped from 189 to 1,016. It is a bit shocking. Italy has a full country quarantine. Grocery store or pharmacy trips only. After 12 days all schools were shut down. TWELVE days.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, He lead me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul.
We here in America have cases through out the country. Big concentrations in the Washington and New York. And the rest of us watch and wait. This week, all sports have cancelled, concerts have cancelled, the rodeo, schools have cancelled for 1-2 weeks AND the Church. The Church? I took the kids on a grocery trip, thanks to Spring Break, and it was like we had a hurricane brewing. Water is gone. Toilet paper (which perplexes me) gone. Eggs. Hot dogs. Meat. Tuna. Soup. All cleared from the shelves. PANIC has set in. Things that were not cleared, that you would think would be MORE important, over the counter medicine. Pain relief or cough medication. Even humidifiers were still packed on the shelves.
Even though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
The entire time, as I was looking at the shelves and the people hurrying around me, I could not stop saying "WOW". WOW, is this really THAT serious? WOW, why is everyone so panicked? WOW, what about keeping calm? WOW, we are really hoarders in our cores. Selfish. Anxious. Worriers instead of Warriors.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
These thoughts made me sad. I started thinking about Jesus. Our home is on a big smoothie kick and we use a lot of fruit these days. As I went through the frozen fruit isle there was 1 bag of strawberries left. As I took the bag from the freezer a woman ran up and looked so upset and disappointed. And quickly her words came from her mouth, "OH NO". I looked at the bag and back at her, gave her a smile and handed it to her. Told her I could get some later.
Love. Jesus said Love. Jesus showed Love. He is our example. He did not panic. He did not hoard. He gave it all away. He spoke of loving your neighbor MORE than yourself. In this 'crisis' our world is facing we must NOT forget Jesus is still Lord. He is our Strength. Savior. Reminding us we are Warriors NOT Worriers.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, AND I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Do your part child of the Most High. Pray for others. Love others. And remember our Hope rests in something greater than this world. Greater than Panic. Greater than illness. Greater are YOU, Lord. We must let our breath in our lungs pour our praises and thanksgiving to Him.
Choose Kingdom!
"Do NOT be anxious about your life, what will you eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet Your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? "
"Seek First the Kingdom Of God and His Righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
- Jesus Our Christ (Matthew 6: 25-27 & 33)
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