HIS HANDS

As I begin a new week I woke this morning in prayer.  My prayer life has improved in the past couple of weeks.  Too bad I couldn't improve it without life's trials.

I haven't seen The Grandbaby for a week now except on Face Time.  Thank goodness my little bit of technology knowledge allows me to know how to do that on my computer.  While it's not a clear picture often, it's a picture and a conversation all the same.  The Poppa, she, and I end out conversation with her every time by blowing a BIG kiss and giving ourselves a BIG hug for each other.  How I long to be able to physically give her that kiss and hug!

I "talk" via text often daily to The Girl.  She relayed a story to me the other day about The Grandbaby that I'd like to share.  There's a true sermon in the story that applies so well to our daily lives at this point of time.

It seems The Grandbaby was at the top of their stairs holding coloring sheets, Baby Ariel (one of her two favorite "babies"--they all have princess names but are plain baby dolls), and Baby Ariel's church dress.  The Grandbaby says, "Mommy, I need you to hold my coloring sheets and the dress for me.  And maybe Baby Ariel.  I'm tired of holding her."  The Grandbaby begins to come down the stairs, holding the wall for support.  Then she says, "And I need to hold your hand."

Ahhh....isn't that where I am so many days, especially lately?  My life holds so many concerns that I'm so tired of holding them.  I tell my heavenly Father that I need him to hold my hand.  And thankfully, he does.  Always.

Scripture today comes from Isaiah:

"For I the Lord thy God, will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee."  
Isaiah 41:13

"...Fear not, for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine."  Isaiah 43:1

The Lord's hand is ALWAYS clean.

Consider.........

THE CHOICE OF CLEAN HANDS

I've struggled in my thoughts the past several days as I have so wanted to write a blog post but could never find the exact thoughts to share.  The world in which we live has been in panic and turmoil--quite a trial for our country.  A trial that is touching us all individually, as families, as Christians, and as everything.  The name causing this trial--Coronavirus.

So I know some of you are thinking--geez, all is hear is Coronavirus and now I have to hear it here, too.  Hopefully by the end of this reading, you will realize my words are not all about the virus.  Yes, The Husband and I have self-isolated at home since Sunday with him going to work daily and coming straight home and me going to the office on Thursday, then to the pharmacy for needed drugs for the parents, and then home.  I can guarantee one thing.  We will both be tired of my cooking at the end of this.  We have eaten at home for almost two weeks.  Sometimes the plate contents ain't pretty and sometimes the contents don't taste delicious but we're not going hungry.  We have abode by the "rules" of the government if you will and hopefully by doing that have not given anyone our germs nor gotten anyone else's--doing our part towards trying to tame the spread of the virus.

With the virus, I have learned totally (as The Grandbaby says) how to have ridiculously clean hands.  My hands have never been cleaner in my whole 60+ years of life.

Finally, today being the nice pretty weather day it is, I decided to take a walk.  I put in my gospel music and headed out.  Slowly is how I walk with this faulty back but I got going and kept going.  The more the music got into me, the lighter my walk became and with that lightness came a lightness of heart.  My eyes began to fill with water and drain down my cheeks as I heard the music, "there's healing and hope and love all around...when the praises go up, the glory comes down."

I slowed a bit as I walked the slight uphill and began to sweat.  Then I turned around and started the downhill walk, gaining speed (as much as I can gain) and felt the soothing wind in my face.  With that breeze, I was not only cooled of my sweat, but I was refreshed and renewed in my spirit.

Yes, there are concerns about the unknown of this virus.  Yes, I have learned that I have an adult child who is very bold about telling me I have to isolate because of my health issues (and my age...geez).  And you know, that's not a bad thing...shows a lot of love of that adult child.  Yes, there are concerns for our economy.  Yes, there are just many many concerns.

During this part of my walk, though, I looked down and saw several dandelions.  I saw myself as a child, pulling them and blowing the fuzzy part into the wind.  I loved that.  I realized that dandelions are still around.  The world is still turning.  The spring blooms are still blooming at just the right time.    I realized that if my heavenly Father knows about all these things and cares about them, how much more does He care about me and these things that are concerns to me.

No matter what happens in this world, that doesn't change the fact that Jesus died on the cross, rose from the tomb three days later, and lives today.  For me.  For you.  For us all.  There's still healing and hope and LOVE all around.

Keep your hands washed.....and....

consider Luke 12:27-31....

"Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
                                                          

2 QUESTIONS

The rains have come for a long time, gone for a short time, and come again in flood watch stage.  With that said, I have two questions....

1.  Would I be a redneck if I have my aged rain boot strap stapled because the buckle is broken?

2.  If the answer is yes, do I REALLY care?

☔🌧