Anticipating Heaven despite the fog

Two months ago, life was "normal." We were all busy with this and that. We attended movies, concerts, sporting events, went out to dinner, etc. Sunday mornings church goers were able to attend church. Wednesday night youth group and children's activities were in full swing. No one could have predicted that now we'd be dealing with a ban on any gathering of 10 or more people. And the date of when the bans of activities and closing of businesses, schools and when churches can meet together again seems to keep getting pushed off more and more. It's almost like the Tom Hanks' movie "Money Pit." Every time the repair men were asked how long a project would take the answer was always "two weeks."

But sometimes I think we feel like we are in a fog. We don't know when this "fog" of the pandemic and virus will lift. No idea when life will be back to normal.

I find myself, along with members of my church family, longing for the day that we can meet again for church services and activities. I cannot wait until the "fog" lifts and churches are full again on Sunday mornings. What a wonderful day it will be when we can finally have fellowship together! When we can sit under one roof and not watch the sermon on line. But we can be together to encourage each other, learn together, and continue to grow together. I can only imagine how much rejoicing there will be when that day soon comes.

But as much as we are longing for the time when the safe at home order is lifted and we can get together as a congregation, I wonder how much more am I looking forward to Heaven? Am I anticipating my heavenly home as much as I am anticipating getting together here on earth? As exciting as it will be to once again resume church services and activities, how much more exciting and rejoicing will there be when Christ followers finally make it to our final destination--Heaven! There will be no more fog, no more virus, no more bans on gatherings of 10 or more. All will be right. All will be perfect. And we will be with our Savior!

"When we all get to Heaven
What a day of rejoicing that will be
When we all see Jesus
We'll sing and shout the victory"

My Feet are on the Rock...

My Feet Are On The Rock

I absolutely love the song "My Feet are on the Rock" by the group I Am They. It's upbeat. It's got great lyrics. I love the music to it. A few weeks ago the group was in concert in our church building and it was great to sing along with them. The lyrics are below. A link to the video/song is below as well. And it's super easy to sing this song loudly and be in a happy mood while singing it. But in really uncertain times like these it can be hard to actually mean some of these words. I know my feet are on the Rock--my foundation is my Savior Jesus Christ. I know He is faithful. I know He will provide. I know I can trust Him. But I will admit, sometimes it's hard to find joy and hard to trust when the waters of life seem to be crashing all around. It's easy to get discouraged, especially lately. This pandemic has caused a slow down in my husband's job search. We had hoped to be enjoying dinner and a show on our anniversary in a couple of weeks but that was canceled. We were looking forward to a very much needed get away to a favorite place to stay a couple hours north of us. Our lodging was forced to close because of the virus going around. And a 2nd hotel we booked had to cancel as well. I know several others who had their vacation plans canceled. Others are out of work for who knows how long because of this pandemic. Funerals, weddings, graduation ceremonies all put on hold. I watch the news. I see things posted on social media. I over hear things if I'm at the store or even at my job. The waters are rising. The winds howling. Many feel stressed with so much uncertainty and a spirit of fear seems to be looming over most. 

But there are things I remind myself. When my heart or hope feel like breaking, I need to cling to Him and His unchanging grace. I need to keep my eyes focused on the One who saved me. Cling to the One who will never forsake me. He knows what is going on. Nothing took Him by surprised. I have a roof over my head. I still have a job I absolutely love. I am blessed with a husband who loves me, lots of friends and family that I cherish and some adorable fur babies. As of right now we have a fairly decent compromise for our vacation time next week. And if that falls through we have another back up plan. My Savior is providing for our needs. He is my hope. My constant. My solid ground. No matter how shaky things get in life, my feet are on the Rock. 

Video for My Feet are on the Rock

I Am They

I can see the clouds roll in

I can feel the wind as they try to shake me
I will not be moved
My feet are on the rock

I can feel the waters rise
I can hear the howling lies that haunt me
Fear won't hold me now
My feet are on the rock

When I feel my hope about to break
I will cling to Your unchanging grace
Let the waters come and the earth give way
I'll be dancing in the rain!
My feet are on the rock

I can see the morning light
I can feel the joy on the horizon
Here my faith is found
I stand on solid ground!

When I feel my hope about to break
I will cling to Your unchanging grace
Let the waters come and the earth give way
I'll be dancing in the rain!
My feet are on the rock

On Christ, the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
So stomp your feet and clap your hands
Our feet are on the rock

On Christ, the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
So stomp your feet and clap your hands
Our feet are on the rock

On Christ, the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
So stomp your feet and clap your hands
Our feet are on the rock!

When I feel my hope about to break
I will cling to Your unchanging grace
Let the waters come and the earth give way
I'll be dancing in the rain!

When I feel my hope about to break
I will cling to Your unchanging grace
Let the waters come and the earth give way
I'll be dancing in the rain!
My feet are on the rock
My feet are on the rock
My feet are on the rock

Don't be anxious

Pandemic. Virus. Drastic actions being taken. Watching the news or reading some posts on social media platforms can fan the flames of worry, fear and anxiety in some. A few months ago the flu was the big worry. A recent summer we were all to fear being outside in case a mosquito bit us and we came down with the Zika virus. In the words of Joe vs the Volcano "it's always going to be something."

We never know what a day may hold. We could end up with a virus. Or we could be hit by a bus. I used to joke with a few coworkers that the chances of me being hit by a bus was slim, but hit by a tractor maybe because of living in the country. Or hey, I could even be bit by a rabid raccoon😜! We could live to a ripe old age, or not so old. There are so many things that could happen and that can cause fear or anxiety. Things that can rob us of joy and peace.
But in this all there is good news. Actually it is pretty great. God loves and cares for us. And when we focus on Him and view these things in light of eternity we can rest in Him. We can throw our cares on Him because He cares for us. We pray and focus on Him, He gives us peace that passes understanding. I have been in situations that should have caused great stress, but I was calm. I claim these verses and meditate on them. We pray. Tell Him our troubles. He will help us through and give us His peace that passes understanding. We do not need to live in fear.
I love these verses and think on them a lot. They have helped me many times. Life can be scary. But I pray that despite all of the news, you are all able to rest easy in Him.