I have said in a previous blog that I believe that God has placed us where we are with all our limitations because we need to change and turn back to Him. We are a world that has become more racist and hateful than ever before. We are allowing more abortions to be performed as well as very late term abortions. We have become fixated on having more, more, more including coveting money. The list goes on.
When we move away from God and what His will is then He will draw us back by whatever means necessay. This can include shutting down the world and putting us together in small family units or by ourselves to give us time to reflect on our lives and create new habits.
It took me a while to surrender myself to the understanding that COVID-19 was real in in my backyard. I didn’t ignore it but I didn’t accept the severity of the spread of it or the importance of being away from other people. I did follow the guidelines since the beginning and only had contact with family members I needed to help or drop off supplies to.
Being a person of faith and my heart devoted to God I looked at what all this could mean. I know in my heart this is God bringing family back together, allowing us time to get deeper in His Word, to focus our thoughts on helping others and serving in His name.
I know in my own life my 9-5 job has stopped since it relies on public events and those are not currently allowed so clients aren’t purchasing promotional products. In my ministry I can’t give people hearts, hug them or pray with them because of the guidelines so that has also stopped. So really every aspect of my business and ministry is on hold. I knew I needed to use this time to focus on reflection and learning more on how to serve in the future. How can this shutdown of my normal life change for the better?
I quickly realized that I was at a standstill for everything I was doing in my day. No more orders coming in, no more sharing hearts, no more running to have coffee with friends, no more easy access to everyday things at the grocery store. How was I going to adapt? I was going to turn to what I know. My Heavenly Father.
In times of crisis we run many times to anxiety, worry and fear. All of these things are not what God has taught us. They are the absolute opposite of what Jesus said. “Fear not” are the words Jesus said repeatedly as he walked on this earth. Did you know that “Fear not” has been counted in the Bible 365 times? One for every day of the year so you don’t have to go one day living in fear. I hope that comforts you.
Isaiah 35:4 “Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you.”
Daniel 10:19 “And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.”
I also thought about my finances. My paycheck would stop since I work only on commission of sales without a salary. My ministry relies on donations and the intimate contact with people to understand my work. Both of these sources or revenue were gone during social distancing. I turned to God and was comforted that He would take care of me. That same day it was announced Americans would receive stimulus checks, extended unemployment benefits as well as loans and grants for non-profits. All an answer to what I needed. I also had people asking to buy our candles and hearts through Venmo with porch pickup at my house. Thank you Father.
Philippians 4:19
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
I also know in my heart we will have a new normal coming. Everyone says they just want things to go back to normal. I don’t. I want a better and new normal. I want a normal that includes families taking time for each other. I want a normal that people choose to serve humanity first in God’s name instead of serving themselves. I want a normal that reminds everyone that life is precious whether it is for the unborn, the elderly or those just trying to survive. I want a normal that is not filled with greed, social media, busy times or turning the other way. What do you want for a new normal? Now is the time to create your new normal.
I feel there will be many good things come from this crisis. Medically maybe we will wear masks during flu season after learning how viruses are spread. Spiritually maybe we will spend more time with God in prayer after having so much downtime. Emotionally maybe we will appreciate our bothers and sisters more after coming together like we have. Physically maybe we will go outside more and appreciate God’s creation as we exercise more. Mentally maybe we will be stronger knowing we all turned to God together to get through this. Financially maybe we will trust in God more to provide for us as we have had our income reduced or taken away and were okay.
The most important thing to remember as we move through the COVID-19 crisis is that God always brings us out of darkness better than we were before the darkness. Trust that He is building something better for us.
Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Ephesians 5:13
But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.
Below is a picture I posted to show how God helped me still do my ministry in this time of no contact. Thanks to antibacterial wipes.
As we move through these week of not our known normal, let’s be creative and figure out what we need from God to have a new more beautiful normal in the days to come. Ask big and ask often for His guidance and blessing for this new normal.
All my love and gratitude. LoLo
gratefulgratitude.net 