I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  Philippians 4:11

Good Morning, seeking one,
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          We are facing a new normal.  Wearing a mask.  Social distancing.  Groceries being delivered to our doorstep. No hugging. No family dinners on Sunday.  And when circumstances are quite different, we tend to become agitated, depressed, and/or lament our fate.  And that is a choice.  We can agonize or strategize.  Jim and I are really self-quarantined because of our age and health challenges.  But this week, we have super enjoyed a new normal:  driveway visits.
          Tara, a friend, brought us ice cream (and wine).  We put lawn chairs in our driveway and donned masks and enjoyed a lovely visit.  What a blessing.  Audrey dropped off toilet paper and protective gloves.  We drove to Bev’s house.  She had made us the cutest masks and we socially distanced a driveway visit there.   Matt picked up curbside delivery for dinner and we ate on Tv trays in our new dining room, the driveway.   Driveway visits are our new normal and I am content.  So, let me ask you a question.  As you are seeking your new normal, might there be pieces of your new life you might want to embrace? What blessings have come from this self-quarantine?  What are you learning about down time?  Being with family 24/7?   Now is a great time to re-set your life.  And a good starting question to ask yourself is, “What makes me feel content?”                                                                                                                        Praying for your safety and contentment always,                                                                                                                                           Linda







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​Even when I walk through the valley of deep darkness, I will not be afraid. . .Psalm 23:4
 
Good Morning, Brave One, yes you!

          Elvis Presley sang a beautiful gospel song entitled, “Peace in the Valley.”  The lyrics begin with a refrain that resonates with my soul.  “Oh, I’m tired and so weary, but I must go on.  And the lyrics continue with the hope of finding peace someday.

          I get it if you feel weary.  We are all under the stormy cloud of the Covid 19 virus.  Thousands have died and others are suffering in hospitals alone.  Our medical workers, the heroic ones, are doing their best; but they are tired and weary as well.  And bless the hearts of clerks doing their best to remain calm while checking our groceries and facing long lines of cranky customers.   Our routines have changed dramatically.  Jim and I are super isolated adhering to the social isolating that will slow the spread of this deadly virus.

          But, dear one, here’s the good news.  You don’t have to wait till someday to find peace in the dark valley.  You can experience deep inner peace right now, right in the middle of the storm.  But you must choose it.  Yes, we have to adjust our expectations.  Yes, we have to claim and proclaim, and proclaim again, that we are not alone.  God is with us.  Not one of us knows what tomorrow holds, but we know who holds the future, and we proclaim, He holds our hands.    
                      We must go on, 
​                                 Linda

                   
                             Weeping may last for a night, but
             Joy comes in the Morning
 
 
Good morning, brave one,

        Easter is definitely not the same at our house.  I did not wake at 5 a.m. and rush to church to deliver an uplifting Easter message.  No chocolate bunnies or lilies.  No Easter ham roasting in the oven for a family gathering.  Lots of nos.  This day feels different.  And that is ok.    
                    As we are in quarantine, we have choices and decisions to make about today and also for our time to come when we can once again  safely enter the community.    We choose our attitude. We can weep in the darkness, but friend, Jesus emerged from the tomb, and we must also.  We have a new life ahead of us.  I believe we have the opportunity right now to learn what we value most and to create our new life with joyful expectation.
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Points to ponder:

1.  What have I learned about myself while in quarantine?
2. What about being in shelter has brought me new joy?

                                                        Love ya,   Linda

In Him, there is no darkness. . . 1 John 1:5
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Hello dear one,
          The darkness of Coronavirus continues to shroud the earth and as the number of those infected rises and resources to fight diminish, we continue to deal with the demon of fear.  I continue to seek ways to bring God’s glorious light into every darkened space within my home and heart.  Some of my moods are far from sources of redeeming light.  Just keeping it real.  You and I are in a spiritual battle with the powers of darkness and I will not allow evil to win control of my mind.  As I wrote last week, step one for Jim and I was to fight lethargy and step into the light and walk around our neighborhood.  We increased our ventures outside to three a day.  I was looking for a trumpet to blow on our seventh day.  I decided that while I am not musical, I have a voice and breath.  Even if that voice is only self-talk, I will affirm over and over, “I choose light. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the light” until the walls of fear come tumbling down. 
        You and I need to choose our words carefully.                                                                                                                                                                         Linda