You are not alone

Oh, friends, what a strange day we find ourselves in right now.

Just a quick word.

I don’t have time to sit on the stump and think it through.

I don’t have time to edit or get feedback from my trusted few that desperately want me to continue to grow as a writer.

I’m spent.

You are too.

It’s been a long day (that has felt like four).

I’m working from the home schoolroom, surrounded by Latin declensions, a timeline of every event ever, and all the maps.

Weighty good and weighty hard decisions were made today.

Audaciously bold and broken prayers have been prayed over many a Zoom call today.

I don’t want to add to the noise for you.

I do want to share, however, how the Lord has encouraged me tonight.

Psalm 118:4-9

“Oh let those who fear the Lord say, “His loving-kindness is everlasting.”

From my distress I called upon the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me in a large place.

The Lord is for me;

I will not fear;

what can man do to me?

The Lord is for me among those who help me;

therefore I will look with satisfaction on those who hate me.

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.

I read these verses.

The Lord then took me to ‘ole faithful - Psalm 23

Go for it.

Open it. Click it. Get to it.

Allow the truth of the word of God to wash over your weary, anxious soul.

Our God is a Good Shepherd. It is kind of His thing. He is leading us through.

Well, then a song came to mind -

The Lord is my shepherd

He goes before me

Defender behind me

I won’t fear

I open my Bible.

I hear a song.

I push the truths deep into my soul.

Your Spirit lives within me,

so I will walk in your peace.

Here is the song on Spotify in case the facebook link doesn’t work.

So the kids are in bed (kind of).

The dishes are done for the thousandth time today.

I’m zoomed out. It is bittersweet - I’m encouraged by what the Lord is doing in His kingdom, but the weight of what is unfolding before us is so heavy.

The homeschool room and sub-par office have turned into my sanctuary.

I listen to the song and recite the verses.

My mind, however, goes to friends and family who are serving on the front lines in medical centers and testing centers throughout the country. My mind goes to those that we don’t know that are serving as “The Helpers” that Mr. Rogers spoke of so long ago. As I prayed and thought, these truths turned from things that I clung to toward things that I prayed for others.

Hallelujah, I am not alone

He is my comfort

Always holds me close

Social-distancing doesn’t apply to our Savior. He is always with us, Christian. He is always there. He is with you. He is for you. He is not against you. Oh Lord, may my friends who read these words be led by the Spirit to live in light of them - the Lord is with you.

That’s it, friend. Just a quick word and a song to encourage you.

We’re in this together, just distant.

Good night, friends.