Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. (Proverbs 16:24)

Three weeks ago, my employer implemented a COVID-19 Reduction In Force (RIF) with 699 permanent terminations and furloughs of bright, talented, intelligent people that would have never been let go, outside of a global pandemic. 99 of those individuals were in my department. But for the grace of God, I could have easily been number 100. 

Our corporate president announced the impending action the day before the cuts were made, and I knew I had limited time to send a final note of encouragement to co-workers that would soon lose their jobs.

In my position, I have the unique privilege of being the primary communicator of tech-related messages to our administrative staff around the world. Ten weeks ago, when our work-from-home journey began, I started sending weekly messages to my fellow admins, offering them digital tips, tricks, and inspiritment.  

With each mailing, I heard from more and more of my recipients who frequently told me how much they appreciated the messages and forwarded them to their teams. While I knew the tips were helpful, I often heard that the motivation was more appreciated than anything pertaining to their work-product. These were thirsty people needing much more than water to satiate their bone-dry souls. 

It’s such a simple thing to thank, elevate, and motivate others – yet how seemingly rare.

Recently, I had begun ending my weekly messages with the simple sentence: “Never forget how important you are.” Again, such a simple phrase with such power to reshape one’s fragile self-image. So often in life, we feel undervalued and insignificant. Perhaps we are not as imperative to the world as we would like to be. Nevertheless, each of us is significant to God. 

In this particular case, as in the Biblical tale of Esther, I felt that I had been given this platform to provide inspiration in “such a time as this.” (Esther 4:14) I’ve adopted the message I sent that fateful Friday to this platform, where I’m free to speak of my faith and God’s love for all of us. This message is for you, dear reader – with the truth of the Gospel behind it.

You are important. 

God loves you, and you are of infinite value to Him. No matter what you do and no matter what happens in your life, you are of immense importance to the Creator of the universe. Such a reality is life-changing.  

Don’t forget who you are outside of work.

For most of us, our identity stems from what we do for a living; what we know, how well we do our jobs, how highly we are esteemed in the workplace often forms our self-perception. Don’t let your employment determine your self-worth. No matter who you are and what job you perform at work, who you are outside of your profession is what’s most valuable to the world. 

Demonstrate love. 

Be kind. Show compassion. Remind others of their importance. Such a mind-shift has the potential to reshape your entire existence. “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) 

God loves you. He’s not impressed with your title or how high your last raise was. Work stature is fleeting. God’s love is perpetual. Let that reality fashion your identity rather than what your nameplate says above your door. 

You are valuable.

What I want you to hear and hold in your hearts is that you are unceasingly valuable in God’s eyes. Your existence makes a difference in the world. Our worth must run deeper than what we do for a living. We are so quick to place our worth on the appraisals that the world gives. It is important to remember that God loved us so much that He gave His only Son to die for us so that we could spend eternity with Him in heaven. (John 3:16) 

• 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? (Matthew 6:26)
• Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Luke 12: 6-7)

You are a child of the King.

No matter what happens to you in the workplace or the world, you are a beloved child of God, an heir to His kingdom. What higher calling, what greater esteem can the world hold than that? “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.” (Romans 8:17)

You are amazing.

God created unique, remarkable you. No matter who you are, what you’ve accomplished, or not accomplished in life, God created you to be precisely who you are. Your journey, your existence, your path is original, and you are amazing. “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:14)

Above all, never forget how important you are.

There is only one you and you are irreplaceable. Nothing will ever change that. Believe in your value, and remember that you are wondrous. Never lose sight of that reality. “My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” (Psalm 139: 15-16)

Kind words are like honey: sweet, sustaining, nourishing. What you say to others in the time of their greatest need can be life-changing. Think before you speak. Choose your words wisely. Pray that God will give you the proper thing to say when it is most needed. You will never regret doing so. I know I never do.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. (Psalm 46: 1-3)

The devil loves to steal our joy and peace. I believe it’s no coincidence that the coronavirus became most active in the United States right before Easter – closing churches, invoking fear and stealing the unity felt by Christians around the world celebrating Resurrection Sunday.

Up until a few weeks ago, my joy was unwavering. While the mountains were quaking around me, I refused to give in to the panic and fear I saw washing over others. I know how blessed I am to have a job where I can work from home, and I’ve felt incredibly protected throughout the pandemic. My job, family, and home were all safe. I refused to give in to fear for the future. 

Two weeks ago, my insulating walls came crashing down. 

It all began with a text from my sister, telling me to check my email, as our father had died.

Our dad told my sister, years ago, that his family was the Army. That came as no surprise to me as I have no memory of ever living with my father and only retain a few random memories of brief interactions with him over my adult life. I’ve always known that my dad’s world was the military, rather than us. That’s who he was, and I accepted that truth long ago.

Instead, I claimed my heavenly Father as my real dad. I’ve always felt that way. No earthly father could ever compare to the love that God gives me. 

Nevertheless, this was my earthly father, and the loss of anyone always brings me face-to-face with my mortality. In a time when every other news report is focusing on deaths in our country, this reality became more pronounced. 

Just before dawn the next morning, I had a disturbing nightmare of being chased by a demon. I woke with a silent scream caught in my throat. I seldom have such things, but this one was vivid enough to prevent me from returning to sleep. 

By the time I climbed out of bed, a jumble of thoughts had filled my head. Have I done enough with the life God has given me? What does my future hold? Does my life matter? How much longer will I be able to keep the job I have – given the current economy? What will I do if I lose my job? How long will I be able to pay my mortgage? 

By the time I logged on to my computer, I was a bundle of nerves, sadness, and trepidation. I know the name of the demon in my dreams. His name was Fear. 

Try as I might, the fears kept compounding inside my head. By the end of the day, I was a quivering bundle of emotions, not knowing how to get past my sadness without the grace of God. 

I walked to my vegetable garden, determined to dig in the dirt, and let my thoughts go. Purposely, I clicked on my favorite Pandora station, deliberately choosing to re-engage my thoughts in contemporary Christian music. 

The first song that came on was “We Believe” by the Newsboys. The lyrics follow the apostles’ creed with a powerful mantra of what we all, as Christians believe. 

In this time of desperation

When all we know is doubt and fear

There is only one foundation

We believe, we believe

In this broken generation

When all is dark, You help us see

There is only one salvation

We believe, we believe

We believe in God the Father

We believe in Jesus Christ

We believe in the Holy Spirit

And He’s given us new life

We believe in the crucifixion

We believe that He conquered death

We believe in the resurrection

And He’s comin’ back again, we believe

While listening to the song, my spirit was strengthened. As I looked down at the soil in my garden, I noticed seedlings pushing up from the dirt. New growth. From what once appeared dead, new life had formed. If I didn’t believe that would happen, I wouldn’t plant seeds. If I didn’t trust God with my future, my spirit would stay in despair, underground, never pushing forward and blossoming back to life. At that moment I made a conscious decision: I would not give in to sadness and fear.

Two days later, my boss called to tell me that another workforce reduction would soon take place. My job was safe, but other positions would not be. Her call validated my earlier apprehension.

Nevertheless, God was protecting me – yet again. I would not surrender to anxiety.

Bad things happen to all of us. We are never promised a happy tomorrow. Loved ones die. We lose our jobs. Our future is uncertain. I believe everyone in the world feels this way right now. 

Yet, with God, there will always be new life. He brings us out of the grave every day. We cannot live our lives in disquietude. We serve a risen Savior who is in control. He knows everything about our past, present, and future. Even the hairs of our heads are numbered (Luke 12:7). He watches over our coming and going, both now and forevermore (Psalm 121:1). God promised us that He will be with us wherever we go (Joshua 1:9).

I believe that with all my heart. I believe in God, the Father. I believe in Jesus Christ. I believe in the Holy Spirit. And He’s given me a new life. I believe. 

He humbles those who dwell on high, he lays the lofty city low; he levels it to the ground and casts it down to the dust. (Isaiah 26:5) 

Last weekend, I witnessed, firsthand, the empty streets of Savannah. Today, I caught a glimpse of the larger world outside my fair city, and what I saw astounded me. 

Never before in the history of man has an event so entirely altered the way our society operates, travels, educates, and thinks. Schools, businesses, and even whole cities have effectively shut down due to COVID-19. This pandemic didn’t just affect one community. It has impacted all life on our planet. 

YouTube is full of videos showing wild animals wandering empty streets where bustling traffic would have prevented their passage just a few months ago. The videos of mountain goats wandering the streets of the Welsh town of Llundadno, and a young family of Egyptian geese walking across an abandoned Israeli airport tarmac are particularly striking.

Earlier this year, it would have been hard to fathom the emotions generated by the sight of empty thoroughfares in New York City, London, and Paris. Now, such images have become symbolic of the world shutdown that has become our new norm.

This Easter, my friend Patty and I watched Andrea Bocelli’s live-streamed concert, “Music for Hope” – filmed inside and in front of Italy’s gorgeous but empty Duomo di Milano. Bocelli promoted the event as a prayer, not a service. As the renown opera singer told the Associated Press, “I will go there to pray, and I’d like to think that everyone listening to me sing, can pray with me.” (1) 

While the music brought tears to my eyes, a few impressions stood out for me in the orchestration. 

1. My mother and I were incredibly blessed to visit many of Italy’s grand cathedrals in both 2014 and 2015. While we never visited the Duomo di Milano, we were privileged to tour St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and the Duomo di Firenze, which boasted many of the same design attributes. Memories of such places are even more precious to me as we face this year’s travel ban;
2. Europe’s grand cathedrals have no equal in America. That’s just a fact; but
3. More importantly, empty streets remind me of the greatness of God. 

While I’ve heard friends call the emptiness of formerly bustling cities frightening and almost eery, my perception is far from fearful. To me, the absence of people in places formerly known for their dense populations is a stark reminder of how frail we are compared to our omnipotent Creator. 

Cities speak of man’s prowess and power to build, control, and manipulate. 

Empty city streets remind us of our vulnerabilities and insufficiencies. We, who think we are the grandmasters of our destinies, are fallible. Our false bravado and egocentric personalities have been brought low by a humble contagion.

We are not invincible. We need God. More than that, we need a Savior. No matter what we build with our hands, no matter the legacy we believe we are creating, no matter the wealth we amass or the following we create, we are nothing without God. He humbles the strong and elevates the weak. God controls all the forces of the universe – including the coronavirus. 

Prosperity gospel preaches that God only wants to bless us. Such doctrine is untrue. God is not just a loving grandfather, eagerly bestowing good gifts upon His grandchildren. To believe such a thought is not only anti-Biblical, it will inevitably end in massive disappointment.

More so, such ideals diminish the power of God. As Job told his wife, “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (Job 2:10)

Colossians 1:16 reminds us that, “For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him.” 

Nehemiah 9:6 says, “You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship You.” 

And finally, Colossians 1:17 reminds us that, “He is before all things, and in Him, all things hold together.”

And sometimes, God uses grand measures to remind us that we are nothing without Him – grand measures like COVID-19.

May we never discount God’s ability to elevate, sustain, and save us. We may be small, but our God is great. 

Reference:

1. Trepany, C. 2020, April 9. Easter Sunday streaming guide: Kanye West with Joel Osteen, Andrea Bocelli, and more. Retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2020/04/09/easter-events-stream-andrea-bocelli-kanye-west-joel-osteen-more/2965689001/

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. (Psalm 24:1)

There is never a day when I don’t value the presence of God in my life, but times of crisis magnify His greatness all the more. With all the uncertainty in the world right now, I can’t imagine facing a global pandemic without Him. It must be hard to be an atheist in a time of global calamity. 

According to a 2019 Pew Research poll, 4% of Americans identify as atheists with 5% more claiming agnosticism as their religion. (1) Dictionary.com defines an atheist as “a person who denies or disbelieves the existence of a supreme being or beings.” An agnostic is someone “who holds that the existence of the ultimate cause, as God, and the essential nature of things are unknown and unknowable, or that human knowledge is limited to experience.” In short, atheists deny that God exists while agnostics maintain that the existence of a supreme being is unknowable. 

I once worked with an agnostic who claimed his self-knowledge was more significant than belief in a supreme being. He grew up Catholic and hated the principles of confession and penance, thereby causing him to disavow anything involving those religious tenets. I tried reasoning with his logic, reminding him that God desires a relationship with us, not our religious rites, but he refused to alter his mindset. I cautioned him that if he were wrong, he’d spend all of eternity separate from God. 

“If I end up in hell, so be it,” he said. “Stop trying to convert me.” 

Sobering words, but I respected his wishes. My friend couldn’t stop me from talking about my faith or praying for him, but I never pressed him to alter his beliefs. That decision was between him and God. 

Yesterday, I volunteered to assist in the packing of food boxes at America’s Second Harvest. For two hours, I heaved cases of walnuts, split-peas, soups, tuna fish, peanut butter, canned pears, chickpeas, applesauce, green beans, and 60-pound bags of rice to create boxes for mobile kitchen giveaways in the Savannah area. Altogether, we packed 315 boxes with 7,875 pounds of food. According to the volunteer coordinator, that was enough to provide 6,562 meals to hungry families in our area.

While it felt good to do something to help during the COVID-19 pandemic, my experience was tainted by the t-shirt worn by one of my fellow volunteers. My chosen apparel advertised my employer‘s name, but the man helping me haul cases of non-perishable goods sported his agency’s name across his back – the Coastal Atheists and Secular Humanists (otherwise know as CASH).

Helping others gives me joy as I do so in service to God. My volunteer service is an extension of the love I feel for Him. I believe that if we love God, we will also love others and strive to share His love for them in everything we do. 

How appropriate, I thought, that this group’s acronym embodies materialism rather than the transcending value of a higher calling. CASH, whether it’s the name of a group of “freethinkers” or the means of purchasing goods and services, can never fully satisfy us like God can.

Even more so, how sad it must be to live through the unseen battle of a global pandemic without the full assurance that God is in control. Without that security, there can be no real satisfaction and no certainty. How empty one must be to identify this way.

I’m glad I don’t share such sentiments.

Instead, I take comfort in knowing that everything – including a previously unknown viral strain wreaking havoc in the world – is under our Creator’s control. As God tells us in Psalm 50, “every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine. If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.” (v.10-12)

There is no panic in a pandemic with that knowledge.

As for me, I prefer God over CASH – each and every day – but especially during a crisis.

Reference:

1. Lipka, M. (2019, December 6). Ten facts about atheists. Pew Research. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/12/06/10-facts-about-atheists/

The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. (Psalm 24:1)

Certain events shape our lives by affecting the way we perceive the universe and our existence in it. In my lifetime, I will always remember the day that Ronald Reagan was shot, watching the Twin Towers fall on 9-11, and how St. Patrick’s Day 2020 marked the beginning of my work from home experience during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Across the globe, beaches, businesses, and even churches remain closed. U.S. unemployment figures rose to a record high of 3.3 million claims in the past week, exceeding previous totals of 695,000 applications in 1982. (1)

Three days ago, America claimed the dubious distinction of surpassing the rest of the world in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases – at 81,321, with over 1,000 deaths. (2) As of today, that number jumped to 121,000, with over 2,000 deaths. (3) 

Perhaps more disconcerting was a recent afternoon news story quoting Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top infectious disease expert in the U.S. According to Fauci, America could see “millions of cases,” with worst-case scenario estimates of 200,000 deaths. (4) Shocking as that sounds, it’s important to note that CNN later clarified by stating, “The headline and this story were later updated to convey better that Dr. Anthony Fauci was offering a possible estimate based on his interpretation of the coronavirus models.” (5)

While such information is daunting, we must remember that over 330 million people live in our country. (6) Also, March 18th statistics published by the World Health Organization, have shown that more than 85,000 persons have already fully recovered from this disease. (7) 

As frightening as the headlines are, we can never forget that God is in control.

While working from my screen porch with my kitty co-workers and a view of my glorious back yard, I can easily disconnect from such headlines. Spring is in full bloom in coastal Georgia, with all the spectacular splendor that accompanies it.

I started cutting grass in mid-February and have been refreshing my flower and vegetable gardens since the beginning of March. The days are warm and sunny, with flaming cardinals, black-capped chickadees, and a scarlet-topped woodpecker keeping me company, each day. While social distancing may force separation from my fellow office workers, I’m never alone. God is always with me. I feel His presence every moment of every day.

Before I began working remotely, my workday started with a 5:20 am wake-up alarm, 6:35 start to my commute, and an average return to home at 6:00 pm. I used to walk during my lunch break but haven’t done so in almost two years. Stress increased my blood pressure, and little blue pills kept my stomach from churning itself raw. 

Over the past few weeks, I’ve instead seen the sun shining on my yard, felt the breezes gently caressing my bare feet, and finally learned all about the secret life of my pets – who, I can now report, mostly sleep and watch birds all day long. The physiological effects of remote work have done my body and spirit good. My blood pressure is down, my stomach is happy, and I feel protected beyond belief not to be touched by virus-related sickness, concerns, or fear.

God has given me great peace and shelter through this panic-strewn pandemic. Such a blessing isn’t lost on me. Simply stated, social or physical distancing does work – in more ways than the apparent avoidance of the disease.

I am incredibly fortunate. I have a job when others don’t. I am perfectly healthy while others are in the hospital. I have money in the bank, whereas many are standing in an unemployment line, worrying about their next paycheck. I have a thousand blessings and appreciate all of them. My heart aches for others who are not as fortunate.

A week ago, my friend Patty and I dined out at one of the last remaining restaurants to have an open dining room in Savannah. While I was a bit nervous to eat in a public place during these precarious times, I fully understood the precautions restaurants were taking to stay open, and was happy to support the service industry in their desperate need for paying customers.

Nevertheless, it felt surreal to eat in a near-empty facility. Unlike previous experiences, I found myself pondering random things such as the bare hands of our waitress, the proximity of other patrons, the restroom faucet I had to touch, and the rigor of my hand-washing routine. 

While I always enjoy the companionship of my friend, there’s no doubt that COVID-19 has changed the way I perceive formerly normal activities such as dining out with loved ones. Different as it was, we appreciated our meal together and felt privileged for the shared experience. 

Despite the great food and company, what I will remember most about the occasion was the shift manager’s words as he walked around the dining room. 

“Jesus has it under control,” I heard him remark to individuals seated near us. 

“Amen,” I said as I turned around to see him. “Thank you for saying that.” 

“It’s the truth,” he responded as he walked over to our table. “Everyone is worried, but I’m a big believer. He has it under control anyway. I’ve seen it. I know it’s true.” 

I thanked him again for his bold message while we gathered up our leftovers for the journey home. Never before, I thought, has a BBQ plate of pork ever tasted as good as this one, served with such a savory side order of faith and trust. 

There’s no doubt this pandemic is unprecedented. Never before in my lifetime has our world seen such a global pestilence as COVID-19. For those whose jobs are lost, loved ones hospitalized, and finances ruined, it may be hard to imagine what tomorrow will bring. 

Nevertheless, we must refuse to submit to the panic, fear, and trepidation we see around us. No matter what happens, Jesus has it under control. We live in His world, and nothing catches Him by surprise. God created the universe, and everything in it is under His care and governance. 

As the headlines grow more somber and the virus comes closer to each of us, may we always remember that we are never outside of Christ’s care and compassion. Jesus has it all under control.

References: 

1. Rushe, D. & Holpuch, A. (2020, March 26). Record 3.2m Americans file for unemployment as the US tries to contain Covid-19. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/mar/26/us-unemployment-rate-coronavirus-business
2. McNeil, D.G.Jr. (2020, March 26). The U.S. now leads the world in confirmed coronavirus cases. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/26/health/usa-coronavirus-cases.html
3. Cole, D. (2020, March 29). US could see millions of coronavirus cases and 100,000 or more deaths, Fauci says. CNN. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/29/politics/coronavirus-deaths-cases-anthony-fauci-cnntv/index.html
4. Ibid. 
5. Ibid. 
6. Ibid.
7. Guzman, J. (2020, March 18). More than 82,000 people have recovered from coronavirus. The Hill. Retrieved from https://thehill.com/changing-america/well-being/prevention-cures/487280-nearly-70000-people-have-recovered-from

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7) 

Never, in my lifetime, have I witnessed such global panic as is evidenced in the world right now.

With the emergence of the coronavirus over the past few months, we’ve seen travel bans, school shutdowns, postponements of sporting and public events, theater closings, and – gasp – even a seventeen-plus day shutdown of Disney World, Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris. I agree with the Los Angeles Times reporter who wrote that such an occurrence is indeed a “blow to American optimism.” (1) 

A few weeks ago, a co-worker encouraged me to begin my “pandemic shopping,” and I scoffed at the suggestion. “This is not a pandemic,” I insisted, “And I, for one, refuse to succumb to fear.”

Since then, the World Health Organization (WHO) has, in fact, declared the coronavirus – also known as COVID-19 – a pandemic (3). What began as a few dozen cases of pneumonia in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, has now affected 169,000 individuals, causing 6,492 deaths, worldwide. (2)

The WHO didn’t make this proclamation lightly. According to their organization, a pandemic is declared “when a new disease for which people do not have immunity spreads around the world beyond expectations.” (4) Such an outbreak has only been defined as such a few times in history – including the 1918 flu, 2009’s H1N1 virus, and the discovery of HIV/AIDS in 2006. (5)

This week, I experienced the recent phenomenon known as panic shopping – the hysterical hoarding of rice, cleaning products, and yes, toilet paper. Mind you, there is absolutely no reason for toilet paper shortages to occur in the world – other than those created by fear-driven shopping frenzies.

While making my grocery purchases, I witnessed, first-hand, entire meat freezers emptied of meat, and dry goods’ shelves devoid of rice, soups, and pasta. Posted signs reminded customers to limit their purchases of paper products – including the aforementioned toilet paper packages – to two per household/per day. Such things would be comical were they not so indicative of the fearful mindset that’s become our new norm.

Yet, amid all this chaos, we must never doubt that God is in control. While many in the world may proceed with a perception of panic, my reality is the total opposite. I feel nothing but peace. Despite the daily deluge of fear-laced COVID-19 coverage, I choose to rest wholly in the promises of God to take care of me and my loved ones. 

This morning, for example, my brother was faced with a decision regarding the well-being of our mother. His son’s thirteenth birthday party was scheduled to be held at a Colorado bowling alley, in the afternoon. With all of the coronavirus concerns, our mother’s participation in the event was never a sure thing. After all, according to the media, we should all stay home, practice our “social distancing” skills, and avoid any type of small gatherings.

I texted my brother that I understood his concerns – even offering a suggestion that they only plan to stay for a little while. Perhaps Mom could wear plastic gloves, eat first, and keep her drink with her at all times. Common sense suggestions, I thought – knowing that neither one of them wanted to miss the big occasion.

Through it all, however, I knew that President Trump had proclaimed March 15th as a National Day of Prayer for our nation, our leaders, and all those affected by the virus. What better day to get together than one in which the whole country was praying over our protection.

In my reassurance to my brother, I cited the following:

• Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43:1-3)

And so my brother and mother joined the birthday celebration. I can’t tell you how my heart soared when I learned that the bowling alley was empty of all but the party participants – effectively eliminating our communal health concerns and providing memories my nephew will always remember. Talk about an immediate answer to prayer!

What started as a day of worry became a worry-free event as we surrendered our concerns to God on the National Day of Prayer. My nephew’s sparkler-topped pizza seemed the perfect embodiment of our triumph over anxiety – serving as the proverbial icing on the cake of a tremendously blessed day. Only God could turn such trepidation into triumph.

As for me, across the miles, the photos I received of my smiling loved ones, facing down their fears in prayerful peace instead of pandemic panic, made my heart soar. God is merciful, and He hears our prayers – for our nation, our world leaders, and for our loved ones. Whether we’re praying for protection over a simple birthday party or our entire nation – God will take care of us all. 

When faced with future frightening situations, I pray we will always remember to turn our eyes away from the headlines and rest them upon Jesus, instead. 

References: 

1. Martens. T. (2020, March 14). Coronavirus fallout: Why closing Disneyland is such a blow to American optimism. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2020-03-14/disneyland-coronavirus-closure-reflects-america-mood. 
2. Worldometer. (2020, March 15). Retrieved from https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
3. World Health Organization. (2020, March 11). WHO Director-General’s opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19—11-march-2020
4. Davey, M. (2020, March 14). What is a pandemic and does it change the approach to coronavirus?. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/14/what-is-a-pandemic-coronavirus-covid-19
5. McKay, B. Calfas, Jr. & Ansari, T. (2020, March 11). Coronavirus Declared Pandemic by World Health Organization. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-coronavirus-cases-top-1-000-11583917794
6. Boyer, D. (2020, March 15). Trump proclaims national day of prayer for Americans affected by coronavirus. Washington Times. Retrieved from https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/mar/15/donald-trump-proclaims-national-day-prayer-america/

“The Lord gives His people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.” (Psalm 29:11)

The opposite of peace is stress, not war. Most of us will, thankfully, never experience the ravages of war, but many of us will be decimated by stress. We sense it in our minds, reflect it on our bodies, and digest it into our souls. No doubt about it. Stress has the ability to control and destroy us from the inside out.

A recent study reported that sixty-eight percent of polled individuals claimed higher stress levels now than they’ve ever faced before, with an average individual spend of $960 a year on de-stressing activities (1). 

I, for one, can wholeheartedly confirm that statistic. My boss was recently promoted to a position where she answers directly to the president of our corporation. She now sits as one of the top ten people in our global organization. As her assistant, it goes without saying that coordinating her time, schedule, and event management has sent my stress level into the stratosphere. 

I spent many turbulent years in a former organization, chained to my work cell phone. The expectation was that I needed to be available to address work-needs twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Evenings, weekends, and holidays were all fair-game.

The same can be said for my current role. While it’s wonderful to be recognized for hard work and dedication, I can also fully appreciate the joys of working in a less stressful environment. I sleep better, enjoy my weekends more, and have a lot less anxiety when work obligations are diminished.

That being said, I’ve become much too verbal about the change in my workload, lately. Shame on me.

In one instance, I heard myself babbling about burdens instead of blessings to a group of vendors who were visiting our facility, recently. I walked away wondering at what I’d just done and feeling like the world’s biggest whiner. The encounter was so unlike me that it’s been troubling me, ever since. 

I am incredibly grateful for my job and consider it a great privilege to work for an intelligent and highly respected executive in an esteemed organization. I’m fortunate to have the position that I do. I can’t let myself lose sight of that reality.

Why, then, have I felt compelled to grouse so much, lately? Am I seeking understanding from others who can never possibly understand, or is an incongruous tongue just a by-product of an exhausted mind? 

All I know is that I’ve become more grumbly and less appreciative at work, and I’m not too fond of that persona. I’m a joy-filled person who doesn’t complain, not a whining curmudgeon that no one wants to be around. What kind of example am I setting as a Christian if I’m always bellyaching? Not a very good one. That’s for sure.

This morning, as I sat in my glorious screen porch, eating my Sunday breakfast of homemade waffles, a fried egg cooked over-easy, and a cup of milk, I was filled with a profound sense of peace.

Yes, my work-week is stressful, but I have a beautiful home, sweet kitties for company, and a beautiful yard to relax in. I am healthy, happy, and wholeheartedly appreciative of the blessings God has bestowed upon me. I am a daughter of the King of Kings, with a promised home in heaven. To let anxiety get the best of me is to let the devil rule over my life, and I can never allow that to happen. 

Today, as I opened my day-planner, I flipped to the new month of March, whose theme is – you guessed it – peace. The month begins with a quote from John Bunyan, stating, “But if ever we would live in peace and unity, we must pray for it.” (2) 

Behold, the missing component in my newly stressed life – prayer. I pray in thankfulness and intercession for my friends and family, but seldom have I prayed for peace. For the next thirty days, that reality is going to change. 

Starting today, I am focusing my mind, anew, on my blessings instead of my stressors. I will strive, daily, to be a source of happiness and peace to all those around me. I want to be a beacon of God’s love rather than a bulwark of obstinancy. 

The March 1st verse in my planner is Galatians 6:16, which reads, “God will bless you with peace.”

I couldn’t help but smile when I read that. He already has. 

In my daily Bible reading, today’s passage from Psalms reinforced this theme, already solidified in my mind. “The Lord gives His people strength. The Lord blessed them with peace.” (Psalm 29:11). 

How perfect to see this theme reinforced, yet again, in God’s word for my day.

Today, I am abdicating my tension to my Savior. The peace that passes understanding is newly flooding my soul. I vow to pray my way through this month in complete surrender to the One who has all the chaos and stressful triggers in my life under consummate control.

I don’t need to spend a thousand dollars on de-stressors this year. I have only to cling to Jesus. He longs to alleviate my burdens if I will only surrender them to Him. 

And surrender I will. “All to thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all.” (3)

Reference: 

1. SWNS. (2019, December 10). How much money we spend each year on trying to feel less stressed. Retrieved from https://nypost.com/2019/12/10/how-much-money-we-spend-each-year-on-trying-to-feel-less-stressed/
2. Bunyon, J. (1845). An Exhortation to Peace and Unity. Retrieved from https://www.gutenberg.org/files/3614/3614-h/3614-h.htm
3. Van de Venter, J.W. (n.d.) All to Jesus I surrender. Retrieved from https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/441.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2QCaKny7KY

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. (Romans 1:16)

I was privileged to attend a Volunteer Appreciation Banquet last Friday, sponsored by the Salvation Army of Savannah. While the food was tasty, and the speeches, engaging, what impressed me most was their open display of Christianity at such a public gathering. Here stood an organization that was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, as they openly displayed their belief for all the world to see. 

In today’s world of political correctness, hearing words of unabashedly Christian thankfulness did my heart good. While the term “salvation” admittedly stands at the forefront of this charity’s name, I was still pleasantly surprised at their open acknowledgment of Jesus Christ. This was not a private church event, after all, but a celebration of community volunteerism. 

I was there as a representative and invitee of the volunteer arm of my workplace. I was not expecting prayer to be a part of this assembly. Thankfully, my expectations were all wrong. 

According to the Savannah CEO website, “The Salvation Army, an international movement is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.” (1) Somehow, I’d missed that memo and was caught off-guard by all the references to Christ. 

Upon entry, I looked at the banner that marked the entrance to the gymnasium where the event was held. Walking beneath the sign that read, “Jesus is Lord,” I could not help but smile. 

Even their manifesto, printed on bookmark-sized papers at every table, surprised me: 

“I serve a community.

A region. 

A nation.

A world.

I serve heroes.

I serve victims.

I serve a sovereign God…

I am an Army.

Drafted by the Creator.

Commissioned by a man who defied death.

My enemies are despair and destruction.

My ammunition is grace and mercy… 

I am doing the most good.” 

Amen to that. The Salvation Army is doing the most good. I learned just how much good they were doing in Savannah when I participated in their Red Kettle Campaign last December. According to information provided on the kettle tripods, more than eighty-thousand meals were served, and over twenty-nine thousand nights of lodging were provided to Savannah’s neediest individuals in 2018. 

The Salvation Army’s Facebook page reported that nine-hundred and fifty-two families received Christmas care packages, with gifts for two-thousand, seven-hundred children last December. Additionally, over one-thousand, two-hundred turkeys were distributed to needy families in our community. (2) An impressive set of statistics, indeed! 

With alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs, disaster relief services, and after-school tutorial sessions, it’s plain to see that this organization, celebrating its one-hundred and twentieth anniversary in Savannah, is doing an incredible amount of good. In truth, the word “good” hardly seems sufficient to describe the changed lives, second chances, and invigorated lives they are facilitating. 

I, for one, was especially encouraged by hearing the public opening and closing prayers at this assembly – not to mention the guest speaker’s reading of the Prayer of St. Francis. While the prayer is not one with blatant mention of Christ, the life of St. Francis was one surrendered to the principles our Savior embodies. 

“For it is in giving that we receive,

In pardoning that we are pardoned, 

It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” (3)

While many organizations seek to “do good,” it’s encouraging and refreshing to know that there is one that does so in an unashamedly Christian manner. The homemade meatloaf, yellow rice, green beans, and chocolate cream pie couldn’t begin to satisfy my soul anywhere near as much as the assurance of knowing the Salvation Army seeks to better our community through such open, Christ-centered conduct. 

May we all take such a stance when given the opportunity. Our world would be a better place if we were all willing to stand guilty of such open proclamations of love and Christian faith. 

Reference: 

1. Feb. 2020. The Salvation Army Salutes Its Volunteers At Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. Retrieved from http://savannahceo.com/news/2020/02/salvation-army-salutes-its-volunteers-annual-volunteer-appreciation-dinner/
2. December 17, 2019. The Salvation Army of Savannah Georgia. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/SalvationArmySavannah/
3. Catholic News Agency. Peace prayer of St. Francis of Assisi. Retrieved from https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/resources/saints/saints/peace-prayer-of-st-francis-of-assisi

Certainly, the Lord is just; he rewards godly deeds; the upright will experience his favor. (Psalm 11:7)

This past weekend, I was privileged to join a small group of volunteers from my workplace for a tour of the new Goodwill of Southeast Georgia’s Opportunity Center. The Center’s Mission Compliance and Advancement Coordinator guided us through the facility, explaining their mission to help community members with barriers to employment – be it homelessness, poverty, or even single parenthood. “If you’re moving from couch to couch every night, you’re just trying to survive,” explained Goodwin. “Employment is secondary.” 

How well I know this to be true. It would have been easy for me to let my painful marriage interfere with my employment. In the days after I moved away from my second abusive husband, I was afraid to answer the phone at work for fear it would be him – as it often would be.

I had a restraining order, yet my spouse would sit in his work truck outside the fence that surrounded my employers’ parking lot and wait for me to come out at night. I remember him calling me one day and telling me how easy it would be for him to ram my vehicle, push it off the road, and kidnap me to take me home. I had a restraining order, but such things are little more than a piece of paper with a threat behind it. Paper can’t stop trucks from ramming vehicles any more than flowers can prevent people from walking on the grass. 

I learned from experience how to put my home-life into a box and keep it there while I was at work. I poured all my energy into my performance and consistently surpassing what was expected of me. I loved working, and I flourished at my job. Employment took my mind off of my troubles. I had friends who supported me there, and I often felt that I was more myself with semi-strangers than I could ever be with a man I said vows to. I was happy working. I was free there. 

I can’t imagine not having a job. It provided confidence and gave me the means to escape, restart, and enhance my life. My employment offered tangible evidence that I was worthy, just as God always did, even when I was told I wasn’t. It helped me move beyond my temporary circumstances and into a more comfortable lifestyle. 

I have my own home now, but I’ve lived in Section 8 housing. I know what it’s like to have roaches that move from apartment to apartment, despite how clean you keep your space. I spent years living from paycheck to paycheck and counted my blessings for every little treat I could afford on the clearance rack and every penny in my pocket. 

I’m grateful for everything God has given me in life, but one doubtlessly divine sanction has always been my steadily improving employment. If I didn’t have a job, I would have remained under the total control of my spouse. If I didn’t have a good income, I couldn’t have moved out on my own. If I didn’t earn enhanced skills, I couldn’t have worked up the ladder. If I didn’t have the stamina to pursue my degree while working, I wouldn’t have the job I do today. I’ve had one blessing on top of another in life – but for me, it all started with prayer, perseverance, and a good paycheck. 

Goodwill’s mission is clear: Support. Educate. Employ. I’ve spent most of my life shopping at Goodwill. I’ve said before that I used to live in the apartment that Goodwill built. I’ve been happy with my purchases from their retail stores, but I never fully understood their mission until now. My visit on Saturday gave me a whole new understanding of what they’re trying to do: improve lives to improve the community – one person at a time. 

In just a few hours on a Saturday morning, I learned the bigger picture of how this outstanding organization does more than sell gently used clothing and household goods to persons with limited incomes. Goodwill strives to make a difference, which is something I work hard to do every day, myself. 

Our tour guide advised us that the Opportunity Center was built to train individuals to achieve better jobs. Goodwill caseworkers seek to reduce barriers for anyone hoping to find their way out of poverty. With computer-based and administrative training, program participants can find “a hand up, not a hand out” – a stellar philosophy I never knew originated from Goodwill’s founder, Methodist minister, Rev. Edgar J. Helms. (1)

While my volunteer service at Goodwill was rewarding unto itself, as an added bonus, I found a stellar pair of red heels in my precise size, while searching for matching mates to bundle together for the retail store. I had been looking for a pair of shoes exactly like this for months. Imagine my delight when I encountered the heels in a fifteen by six-foot bin I was sorting through. 

Upon presentation of my find to the floor lead as he walked our group out of the warehouse, he advised my fellow volunteers that they, too, might find treasures “just like this young lady did,” if they wanted to stick around and shop. I could only laugh as I proudly paid for what felt like a great reward for a few hours of service. 

The real reward, though, is what God can do through all of us if we only allow Him to do so. Find a good deed to perform for others. Seek out a way to bless those less fortunate around you. Pursue that calling inside of you to make a difference. 

You never know what reward awaits you: a better job, a happy heart, or even a new pair of red shoes. Don’t be afraid to reach into the bin and see what you can find when you seek to do more for God and others.  

Reference: 

1. Goodwill Industries International. (2020). Goodwill’s history. Retrieved from https://www.goodwill.org/about-us/goodwills-history/.

For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. (Psalm 91: 11-12)

I’m a firm believer in guardian angels, and this week served to validate that assertion further. 

Seven minutes before I clocked out for the end of my day on Thursday, I received a message from my brother that shocked me out of work-mode. “I just totaled my car,” his text read. More importantly, he continued, “I’m ok.” 

How easily that message could have been different. How quickly our lives can change forever. A few seconds’ difference, a distracted driver, more hazardous conditions, a wrong decision in judgment, slower reactions – anything could have changed the outcome of that text concerning my brother’s safety. Thank God He is safe. Thank God He and the other driver could walk away, completely unscathed. 

None of those realities are lost on me. A car can be replaced. People can’t. 

In the past five months, I’ve had quite a few reminders of life’s frailty. My best friend went home to heaven, another friend was diagnosed with cancer, many of my co-workers were laid off of their jobs, my dear friend fell and broke her hip, and my brother was in a car accident. My new mealtime prayer is, “Thank you, Jesus, for my blessings – this food, my family, my job, my health, my home, our safety, and your love. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” 

One blessing I readily take for granted is the miracle of God’s protection while I am driving. Think about it. We load ourselves into a device that could easily be considered a deadly weapon and trust that everyone around us will obey the traffic laws, keep an eye out for hazards, concentrate on the road, and make sound decisions in how they operate their dangerous equipment. 

The Georgia Department of Transportation reports the following sobering statistics: 

• 70% of all crash fatalities are caused by unsafe driving behaviors, including distractions, impairment, or driving too fast for conditions.
• There were 1,463 roadway fatalities in Georgia in 2019 – an average of four deaths a day. Already in 2020, 103 highway deaths were reported in my state. (1)

God protects us. How often we forget that. With the myriad of potential hazards that could affect us each day, most of us are blessed to say that our lives consistently remain healthy, safe, and pain-free. When was the last time we stopped to give thanks for such blessings? How quick we are to become complacent to such protection.

But hear me out. Just because God can protect us doesn’t mean that He always will. We, as Christians, are not immune to the heartaches, rejection, pain, and tragedies that life brings. Quite the opposite. God often uses challenges to bring us closer to His side – to mold and shape us into the persons He wants us to be.

People who know what it is to be broken can better help broken people. Those who’ve been hurt can more readily understand those who are hurting. We, who know how God stood with us through our trials and helped us out of our pits, are better equipped to help others through their own downfalls. Who better to throw a lifeline than one who was trained through the fire to do so?

Yes. God can protect us – and I am ever so grateful when He does.

But I am prepared to trust His will, whether He protects me or my loved ones or not.

As today’s scripture notes, “ He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:11). I have no doubt that my brother was protected by guardian angels this past week. His car serves as evidence of a divine hand of protection over his life, and I am incredibly grateful for that. I cherish my brother and can’t imagine him not being here. He is a precious part of our family and brings infinite love and joy to all of us. 

Thanks to God, I have countless more days to laugh, confer, share, confide, and rejoice with my brother. I thank the Lord for such an incredible blessing! 

Tomorrow isn’t promised. Our safety and that of our loved ones is an unfathomable gift that we daily receive. May we never forget to thank our celestial Father for His sacred preservation of our humble lives.

Each day that I and my loved loved ones are safe, healthy, and pain-free is a blessing. I thank my God for His divine hand of protection – today and every day He grants it.

And I will thank Him tomorrow if He chooses otherwise for my life. The God I serve is a good, good Father and I trust His will over my humble existence.