Uncertainty

To say that we live in a time of uncertainty is an understatement. First, there's the chaos at the national level: Supreme Court Justices issuing scathing dissents and the President of the United States tweeting thoughts that are un-American, to say the least. Then there is the looming pandemic of the coronavirus and the ensuing public almost-panic following the CDC's update today.

Then there's the reality of my husband's role as pastor here in Dulce: He just did his 66th funeral in six and a half years. More than 85% of them have been for people under the age of 60. Many have been a result of violence or addiction.

And personally, we are dealing with some pretty distressing behaviors from our kids this week. Things that make us worry about their futures. And ours. Plus, we are still debating our time line for retirement... and where we should settle as we retire. Considering not just our own needs and desires, but the needs and desires of our three minor children, ages 13, almost 7, and 5. We have a lot of years of parenting ahead yet, well into our retirement years (unless Brad pastors for a very long time).

Uncertainty.

It's unnerving. It's hard not to know what the plan is! It's difficult to wonder what might happen... how it will affect us personally. For some people, it creates anxiety. For others, full-on panic!

For the Christian? In Philippians, the Bible tells us not to worry, but to pray. So pray, Christians, pray! Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Philippians goes on to say that we will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.

So when my thoughts wander to parenting a teenager in my 70s...I pray! God gives peace that surpasses all understanding! It doesn't have to make sense, but I feel confident that God will provide all we need as parents.

And when the CDC says that we should prepare for a disruption of our normal lives due to the coronavirus...pray! God will give you peace in the midst of chaos.

And when my lung specialist (who has been figuring out my asthma issues) is suddenly "out of network" and therefore, out of my price range...I pray! I pray that God will lead me to another doctor who can help me decipher and manage my suddenly unpredictable asthma. And God gives me peace in the process.

Uncertainty in the world and in our lives is expected. In John 16, Jesus says, "Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

So, Christian, take heart in these uncertain times. You have everything you need: Jesus has overcome the world! In the worst of times, we can pray. We can know God's peace that surpasses all understanding. We can lean into the uncertainty with a certainty of faith, itself a gift of God. Thank God!

What is "Truth"?

The man in the picture to the right is my president. He was duly elected by the people of the United States of America. I pray for him regularly.

However, I do not support him personally. I cannot. There are innumerable reasons for this, but his degrading attitude toward women, persons with disabilities, and people of color are all I need. I do not understand how people can overlook his despicable actions and attitudes prior to and during his presidency.

Last week's admission that he did in fact send Rudy Guiliani to the Ukraine (read or watch here) after denying for months that he had done so (read or watch here) takes us all to a new level of immoral and illegal behavior. And we should ALL be appalled! Every citizen of the United States of America should be calling for Donald Trump to step down from office. I agree with Mitt Romney that President Trump should have been removed from office in the impeachment hearings, but this admission (as soon as he was acquitted) demonstrates in a crystal clear manner that Donald Trump does not represent what the American people want in a president.

Whether or not you agree with me about personal support of Donald Trump; whether or not you are moderate, conservative, or liberal; whether or not you think the media is "one-sided;" you should be concerned about a sitting president who changes the "truth" based on his purposes for the moment. It is NOT OKAY for the President of the United States to lie/misrepresent the truth/change his story/whatever you want to call it!!!

John Kelly, a highly regarded conservative retired Marine Corps general, spoke out recently at Drew University. He stood behind Alexander Vindman and Vindman's testimony regarding the Ukraine phone call by President Trump at the Senate impeachment hearings (for which Vindman has now been fired by Trump). Read Kelly's assessment of President Trump here.

Please, my readers, take the time to investigate this matter. Take the time and energy to understand what has happened. And assess whether you support the re-election of Donald Trump. I urge you to find a candidate who more closely resembles what we desire for our country!

It's Been a Long Time

I looked up a previous blog post and realized it's been almost a year since I blogged. I have no excuse, except for being "busy." 

There is no doubt that this is true. I am a busy woman! I have three children at home (and I'm homeschooling!), thirty-three grandchildren to send birthday gifts to (and text with, as many are getting old enough to have phones), and a church children's ministry to keep on track. Not to mention a house to clean, dance and acrobatics lessons, choir rehearsals, and random other events to take kids to. Add my mom's 80th birthday party and my niece's wedding, both 1000+ miles away, and you get one busy mama.

However, that is not all I am. I am also a daughter of the One True King. I am a child of God. So today I am reflecting on the ways God has worked in my life in the past ten months.

1. God has taken away my fear. Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Isaiah 41:10a This is something God has been doing in my life for more than 50 years. I used to be very afraid of very many things, but the one thing that terrified me the most was making people angry. I've grown and grown in this area, and I am seriously without fear 

                                                                                 at this point. It's still  unnerving to disappoint or 

                                                                                 anger people, but I no longer fear that they will 

                                                                                 destroy me or themselves in their anger at me. 

2. God has given me strength.  But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 This life is not for the timid! Being in my 50's and raising young children tests my strength and endurance frequently. I want to be the kind of mom that races up water slides with her teenager. I want to be the kind of mom that can handle having random extra kids around when her children want friends over. And God has given me strength for all that and more! I can't say that I don't grow weary, but I can always find enough energy to truly be there for them. 

3. God has grown my faith. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 Life isn't always easy; this past year hasn't always been easy. But it has been very good. I am learning to lean on God more and more in every thing that happens. I trust He has a plan for my life. He has called me to this place and to these tasks, and He has good reason for this. I trust that He will provide and He will use me for His purposes. May God continue to grow my faith!

It is my plan to be more intentional about blogging. I love to write, and it brings me joy to share with others. I rely upon God for inspiration, but I'm going to follow up when I have an idea! My God bless each of you...and me!