As I look out of my back door into my backyard, I see a decent-sized plot of freshly plowed earth, ready to be planted. I am so eager to get out there and put things into the ground, but I have to practice patience, as I have seen it snow and freeze in April, such as what we've had the past few nights. I was tempted to go at it last weekend, thinking, "Surely, we're done with snow and ice." I'm glad I held off. I'm waiting until the last week of April or the first week of May to start that, taking into account what the projected 10-day forecast shows us. Working in my garden is therapy, and I'm desperate for something to do.
I've only been out a handful of times, either to drive-in church or to the store, and I'm just caught off-guard by all the people wearing masks. I'm not knocking it, it's just a reminder of the grim time we are in. There are plastic screens between the customer and the cashier. As of yet, I am not wearing a mask when I go out. I did wear one the other day when I had the opportunity to serve lunches at a local school. It is a drive-by lunch line, where we hand the bags of food plus the next day's breakfast through the window. I loved seeing lots of faces I recognized, and I fought back a tear or two. It made me miss those kiddos even more.
There are a dozen theories as to when life might return to normal. Some are saying late May, others are saying until the end of the year. Scientists are scrambling to find a vaccine, and people around the country are getting restless. They are done with social distancing and the ban on public meetings of 10 or more, including churches. Religious leaders are calling it an attack on their right to worship. I disagree. An individual is just as likely to pick up the virus at church as they would at WalMart. It's not an attack on churches, it's a form of protection. If it is indeed an attack on churches, then it's also an attack on schools, parks, playgrounds, concerts, sporting events, etc. It's an effort to stop the spread. Do I like it? No! But if we don't practice social distancing, we are only going to spread it further, and I can't imagine much worse than a pandemic that's getting worse and worse. These are just my thoughts and opinions. Your views may differ than mine.
I'm hoping for a return to a somewhat form of normalcy by June, as that's when we start our BGC summer program, and I sure miss those kids. From there, I pray that it carries over into the school year. If schools are not allowed to re-open, will I have a job? Is there a place for paras in a virtual school setting? First of all, not working with the kids would be a killer for me. Second, I have really good insurance with the school, and that helps me buy my insulin, which is not cheap. Third, that's a significant loss of income for me. However, I just have to pray and leave it in God's hands. I can't give myself anxiety by playing "what if" all day long. I'm just praying for a quick end to this virus and a quick discovery of a vaccine. Will you pray with me about that? I'm sure a lot of you already are.
That's about all I've got this evening. Thanks for reading and being my ear to vent to. I pray that God will bless you and keep you safe.
Friday, April 17, 2020
Saturday, April 11, 2020
Easter Thoughts
Blogging has really helped me during this time. These are random thoughts that help me get my feeling out into the open. I know that I feel better after writing. I'm not sure if it helps you, but it helps me.
This will definitely be a different kind of Easter. For as long as I can remember, I have gotten dressed up and gone to church on Easter. Our church family has embraced, shaken hands, and been inside a comfortable building on cushioned pews and enjoyed praise and worship, and received a thought-provoking or life-changing message from God's Word. This year will be different. While we will still be going to church, we won't be going into the building. We will have a drive-in church service and listen via the radio. We won't be shaking hands or embracing. For the time being, this is our new normal.
However, as different as this is, I am not bitter. I know that the church is not the building, it is the people. I also understand that in order to wipe this wretched virus out is to socially distance ourselves, hence a drive-in church service. I'm thankful that we have the technology in this day and age that we can connect with each other and broadcast services via many different outlets and venues. But then, we have to look at the big picture. When Jesus walked out of that tomb, alive, history was changed forever. There was not a church service to mark the occasion. There was simply a message from an angel to some women who were coming to prepare His body. His own believers didn't even believe He was alive until He appeared to them. No one put on a new dress or suit, and nobody colored eggs or handed out chocolate bunnies. Yet, all of Heaven rejoiced when Jesus defeated death and made salvation possible for all of mankind. I'm sure the celebration in Heaven was deafening. While we can celebrate, it's going to have to be a bit different. But covid-19 cannot change what Jesus did! Don't let the circumstances of today pour water all over what Easter means. Jesus is alive. He is risen! He is risen indeed. Nothing can ever change that.
If you'd like to see what a socially distanced drive-in church service looks like, I'd like to invite you to Westside Baptist Church, located at 400 West 12th, between Monroe and Madison. We'll be offering 2 services, one at 9:00am and another at 11:00am. There will be attendants available to help you get parked, and the radio frequency will be posted so that you can tune in and listen. Additionally, all children will receive an Easter goodie bag as they leave. Whether you choose to attend Westside or not, I'd encourage you to get plugged in somewhere tomorrow. I'll be attending the 11:00 service, and if I happen to see you there, I'll be sure to give you a safe, socially-distanced wave!
Jesus is alive! He is risen! That is reason to celebrate! Thanks for reading this short post. I pray the joy of our Risen Savior will fill your hearts tomorrow and always! God bless you!
This will definitely be a different kind of Easter. For as long as I can remember, I have gotten dressed up and gone to church on Easter. Our church family has embraced, shaken hands, and been inside a comfortable building on cushioned pews and enjoyed praise and worship, and received a thought-provoking or life-changing message from God's Word. This year will be different. While we will still be going to church, we won't be going into the building. We will have a drive-in church service and listen via the radio. We won't be shaking hands or embracing. For the time being, this is our new normal.
However, as different as this is, I am not bitter. I know that the church is not the building, it is the people. I also understand that in order to wipe this wretched virus out is to socially distance ourselves, hence a drive-in church service. I'm thankful that we have the technology in this day and age that we can connect with each other and broadcast services via many different outlets and venues. But then, we have to look at the big picture. When Jesus walked out of that tomb, alive, history was changed forever. There was not a church service to mark the occasion. There was simply a message from an angel to some women who were coming to prepare His body. His own believers didn't even believe He was alive until He appeared to them. No one put on a new dress or suit, and nobody colored eggs or handed out chocolate bunnies. Yet, all of Heaven rejoiced when Jesus defeated death and made salvation possible for all of mankind. I'm sure the celebration in Heaven was deafening. While we can celebrate, it's going to have to be a bit different. But covid-19 cannot change what Jesus did! Don't let the circumstances of today pour water all over what Easter means. Jesus is alive. He is risen! He is risen indeed. Nothing can ever change that.
If you'd like to see what a socially distanced drive-in church service looks like, I'd like to invite you to Westside Baptist Church, located at 400 West 12th, between Monroe and Madison. We'll be offering 2 services, one at 9:00am and another at 11:00am. There will be attendants available to help you get parked, and the radio frequency will be posted so that you can tune in and listen. Additionally, all children will receive an Easter goodie bag as they leave. Whether you choose to attend Westside or not, I'd encourage you to get plugged in somewhere tomorrow. I'll be attending the 11:00 service, and if I happen to see you there, I'll be sure to give you a safe, socially-distanced wave!
Jesus is alive! He is risen! That is reason to celebrate! Thanks for reading this short post. I pray the joy of our Risen Savior will fill your hearts tomorrow and always! God bless you!
Friday, April 3, 2020
Thoughts
I don't get out much lately. I make a food-shopping trip about once a week. I will run the occasional errand for my mom, and I attend our church by way of drive-in. We sit in our cars in the parking lot and the live service is broadcast over radio signal. We get to go to church and socially distance at the same time. For the first couple of weeks into the shutdown, I was staying at my folks' place. My mom had a pacemaker installed, and so I stayed around to help out wherever needed. Now that she's doing better and being released from restrictions, I am back home.
When I've been out, it has been strange to see emptier streets, emptier stores. Restaurants' parking lots are empty except for a couple of employee cars, and drive-thrus are being utilized so people can enjoy their favorite fast-food. This is the new normal, and it's not fun. However, I understand why. The less that people move around, the less likely the virus will spread. Hopefully this will peak soon, and begin to blow out of here. I'm ready to get my life back, I'm ready to see my kiddos. I've seen some of my kiddos by way of zoom, facetime, and facebook, but I've ready for high-fives and fist-bumps. I believe in the power of prayer, and I'm praying for a quick end or a cure. I'm thankful that social distancing doesn't apply where God is concerned.
To keep myself busy and to keep from going insane, there have been several things I've been doing. I have taken part in zoom staff meetings, and have been doing some webinars to keep up my professional development. I've also begun to de-clutter my house and deep-clean. My house wasn't dirty or messy to begin with, but I've put more elbow grease and resolve in my day-to-day cleaning. I have also finally finished putting together my Israel display. It looks so nice, but now I don't have anyone to show it to, LOL. Maybe after this is all over and done with.
On my last shopping trip, I used the opportunity to grab some things for my spring garden. On the docket are tomatoes, corn, sunflowers, radishes, green beans, okra, cucumbers, pumpkins, and cantaloupe. I'm also going to attempt to grow some peppermint and lavender. Having fresh produce can be a valuable asset. I typically end up giving away a lot of my produce, so when that time comes, I'll make that announcement via this blog post. A good incentive to stay tuned! :-)
A friend of mine come over last week and did a beautiful job of tilling my garden area. It looks so beautiful, and I want to get out there and plant, but it's still too early. I've seen April snows and freezes, and I typically wait until the last few days of April or early May before I plant. Working in my yard is therapy for me. I love to go out into my garden area and plant, weed, and feed my veggies. I'm praying for a good growing season.
As we wind through these long days, I just feel compelled to pray. I look at Facebook a few times a day, and I say a prayer for the names that I see. If there is anything that you need, any way that I can help, I hope that you'll get in touch with me. My email is brotherinchrist2000@yahoo.com. From there, I can give you my cell number if needed. Don't try to get in touch with me via messenger, as my account doesn't work properly.
I am praying for you. God is in control, and we're going to get through this. Let's just agree to pray and lift each other up. Thanks for taking to time to read this, and God bless you!
When I've been out, it has been strange to see emptier streets, emptier stores. Restaurants' parking lots are empty except for a couple of employee cars, and drive-thrus are being utilized so people can enjoy their favorite fast-food. This is the new normal, and it's not fun. However, I understand why. The less that people move around, the less likely the virus will spread. Hopefully this will peak soon, and begin to blow out of here. I'm ready to get my life back, I'm ready to see my kiddos. I've seen some of my kiddos by way of zoom, facetime, and facebook, but I've ready for high-fives and fist-bumps. I believe in the power of prayer, and I'm praying for a quick end or a cure. I'm thankful that social distancing doesn't apply where God is concerned.
To keep myself busy and to keep from going insane, there have been several things I've been doing. I have taken part in zoom staff meetings, and have been doing some webinars to keep up my professional development. I've also begun to de-clutter my house and deep-clean. My house wasn't dirty or messy to begin with, but I've put more elbow grease and resolve in my day-to-day cleaning. I have also finally finished putting together my Israel display. It looks so nice, but now I don't have anyone to show it to, LOL. Maybe after this is all over and done with.
On my last shopping trip, I used the opportunity to grab some things for my spring garden. On the docket are tomatoes, corn, sunflowers, radishes, green beans, okra, cucumbers, pumpkins, and cantaloupe. I'm also going to attempt to grow some peppermint and lavender. Having fresh produce can be a valuable asset. I typically end up giving away a lot of my produce, so when that time comes, I'll make that announcement via this blog post. A good incentive to stay tuned! :-)
A friend of mine come over last week and did a beautiful job of tilling my garden area. It looks so beautiful, and I want to get out there and plant, but it's still too early. I've seen April snows and freezes, and I typically wait until the last few days of April or early May before I plant. Working in my yard is therapy for me. I love to go out into my garden area and plant, weed, and feed my veggies. I'm praying for a good growing season.
As we wind through these long days, I just feel compelled to pray. I look at Facebook a few times a day, and I say a prayer for the names that I see. If there is anything that you need, any way that I can help, I hope that you'll get in touch with me. My email is brotherinchrist2000@yahoo.com. From there, I can give you my cell number if needed. Don't try to get in touch with me via messenger, as my account doesn't work properly.
I am praying for you. God is in control, and we're going to get through this. Let's just agree to pray and lift each other up. Thanks for taking to time to read this, and God bless you!
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