Well, it was just another upside down week in the world of coronavirus for me!!
My personal week in most ways was very good. I extended my stay in DC through today to get a few extra days with my granddaughters. I have been able to assist both of Shelli’s and Will’s daughters, Gentry (2nd grade) and Greer (kindergarten) with their online virtual school work this entire week. That work, as I mentioned in last Friday’s message, has been quite enjoyable for me.
In addition, we got to see Stevie, Cristina, and their 2 daughters last Sunday at the Air and Space Museum near Dulles Airport along with Shelli’s family. It was the only time we could get everyone together on this visit due to the local rules for who can get together, which were different for where Shelli and Stevie live even though they only live 10 miles apart. It was so great to see their daughter Harper (1st grade) and her cousins be so excited to see each other and play together for a few hours. Of course, it was also a highlight (and a hoot!) to watch their youngest daughter Penelope (14 months) walk all around – it was the first time we got to really see her walking a lot and the visit was such a treasured time with our family!!!!
Yet, in spite of all this wonderful family time, this week also had its trying moments – like trying to explain to my 5-year old granddaughter Greer why she would not be going to her first day of live attendance at her kindergarten class to meet her new teacher and all her new friends. Her school has been virtual to date and we had been prepping her for weeks that she would finally meet them all on Wednesday November 18. The plan was changed just the day before school was to start because of a new uptick in coronavirus cases locally. That result was “so unfair” according to Greer and how could an adult possibly explain otherwise?
So on one hand I was so grateful to be with my granddaughters (what a joy !) while at the same time was so sad for my broken hearted kindergartner when her return to school was cancelled. Such joy and sadness at the same time!!
That feeling is parallel to what Tina described in her Wednesday message regarding the passing of our beloved friend Joyce McCallum. We had to balance our grief and sadness at her passing while at the same time being joyful that she had gone to where she wanted to go!! She was happy to go home while we were sad and missed her!!
So much in our lives continues to be so fluid, so up-and-down, so inconsistent, so continually changing, seemingly constantly going off in so many directions all at the same time. How can I continue to handle this and manage my life with so much confusion swirling around me?
The answer is God. God is the one constant in our lives, consistently joyful …..
Psalm 16:11 – You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.
….. consistently loving us ……
1 John 4:16 – We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
….. offering us rest …..
Exodus 33:14 – And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.”
…. and the truth of God’s infallible Word …..
2 Peter 1:20-21 – But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
….. consistently true in all things …..
John 14:6 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
….. and He is our rock when things seem most topsy turvy as we learn from His Word………
Genesis 28:15 – Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
May you rest in His peace, grace, hope, and glory this weekend, for the rest of your time on God’s earth, and with Him throughout eternity! Amen!