White masks and hazmat suits. . .
Hazard signs. . .
Declarations of “State of Emergency” . . .
Closed boarders. . .
Contagious. . .
Quarantine. . .
Pandemic. . .
These words create fear in the heart of even the most peaceful people.
. . . .
As I tucked Lilly into bed, I pulled the blankets up to her chin and kissed her forehead. Her bright eyes and big smile make my heart skip a beat.
I wrapped Alec in his blanket, turned the light off and rocket him to sleep. Feeling him snuggle into my arms and hearing his soft coos of contentment makes my heart melt.
With the two littles tucked into bed I walked into Caleb’s room. There he was, no longer a baby or even a little kid but a boy on the edge of becoming a man.
When my kids are in danger, my heart beats like a hummingbird.
When my husband receives ridicule, internally, I become like the famous boxer Ali.
Like David, I want to beat Goliath!
. . . .
“Liz, countries are starting to close their boarders. What should I do?” Rob is not in Hungary he is in the UK.
There is a chance he will not make it back.
There is a chance he will be in quarantine for 2 or more weeks.
There is a chance. . .
As I laid my head on my pillow I started to cry.
The pressure of the coronavirus is real.
The fear of illness and possible death is daunting.
The desire to not over-react is strangling.
The desire to not under-react is intensifying.
The news, is plastered with its effects and predictions of the future. For many, the coronavirus feels like Goliath on their doorsteps:
Scary
Daunting
Uncontrollable
Devastating
Isolating
As of yesterday:
Hungary has forbidden gatherings of over 100
All Universities are closed
Flights are being grounded
Borders are closed to certain countries
And more regulations will be discussed.
Will Rob be able to come home on Friday, probably.
Will I get sick, probably not.
Will my kids get sick, probably not.
But many have family members sick.
-A woman’s husband is in the hospital.
Many are scared.
-There is a kindergarten teacher in our area that was taken to the hospital and is being tested.
Many are unsure of what to do.
-Events throughout Hungary and Europe are being canceled.
A friend in Romania writes: “This is seriously close business, not a far-away situation.”
We are past the know people, who know people, who know a person stage.
Some are dealing with the pressure with humor.
Others, are hoarding home goods.
Others, are pressing into the only place there is to find deep hope and peace. . .
“Bravo, God, bravo! Gods and all angels shout, “Encore!” In awe before the glory, in awe before God’s visible power. Stand at attention!
God thunders across the waters, Brilliant, his voice and his face, streaming brightness— We fall to our knees—we call out, “Glory!”
Above the floodwaters is God’s throne from which his power flows, from which he rules the world.
God makes his people strong. God gives his people peace.
Message Psalm 29:10-11
God. . .
Creator of the world. . .
Creator of humanity. . .
Heavenly Father. . .
Loving. . .
Compassionate. . .
Merciful. . .
Majestic. . .
Holy. . .
In control. . .
Peaceful. . .
Shelter. . .
Never shaken. . .
Because of who God is, as I abide in his love and wisdom. . . my heart finds peace, my soul finds peace, my mind finds peace.
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23
Friends, some of you are scared and some of you are not. There is not a “side” to be on. Some never get sick and find this whole thing nutty, others are scared and still others have already lost a family member. But. . . whichever side you fall. . .have compassion for the others. We each process fear a little differently. Those who are fearless. . . share the hope you have with the person next to you. Those who are scared lean, press, abide into our Heavenly Father, our God of the Angel Armies, the Creator of the world!
-Cry out to him in prayer,
-Open his word and read the passages in this post over and over,
-Ask God for his peace.
Our Almighty God and Heavenly Father is offering us a place of peace and rest. A place to hide, a place to endure, and a place of full assurance of his endless and unfailing love.
“God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him. We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom, courageous in sea storm and earthquake, Before the rush and roar of oceans, the tremors that shift mountains
Jacob-wrestling God fights for us, God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.
Message
Psalm 46:1-3
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