Sissy
Lockdown – Again
I’m not sure in this year, 2020, there could be any more unwelcome words than LOCKDOWN or COVID. We are a weary people.
With the holidays around the corner, the outlook seems gloomy.
What? No turkey and trimmings? Or going through all that fuss just to be alone? Not likely.
How are we supposed to be merry and celebrate when we can’t even shop for gifts that we might not be able to share? It used to be a lot of fun to go with family and friends into decorated malls, watch children sit on Santa’s lap, eat fudge on the benches, and wander around looking for things that might delight those we love, all the while enjoying the strains of Christmas music floating in the air.
Instead of solitary shopping before a computer and no end result to enjoy.
Yep, gloom looms.
What do you tell your children?
Resting Anyway
This year has been anything but restful. We have seen it all, it seems. And sigh with despair.
Then, as I pass by with the laundry, my eyes light on Sissy, the cat. Does she look concerned?
She is burrowed under comfy quilts. She is toasty warm on a cold, almost-winter day.
Her needs are met. What cares does she have? She’s not concerned with the future, she’s snug today, and she knows that she is loved.
She has no idea of the winds of apprehension blowing about outside her world of peace.
Be Settled
Maybe trust is what it boils down to, taking a lesson from Sissy.
It would seem the winds of apprehension are going to continue to blow and whirl outside of our homes. What can we do?
We can pray. That is, lay our cares and those of our loved ones into the ear and heart of the only One who can do anything about anything.
We can resist the evil one, be vigilant with our thought processes, do battle in our minds.
We can be steadfast in our faith.
Then we trust Him to do His work. If He gives us a task, do it. If He says, sit tight, then we sit tight.
He asks us to trust Him. He has our cares in heart. He has our welfare in His hands.
“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7 NKJV).
“But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 5:10-11 NKJV).
Thanks for this encouraging word, Linda. Hard to face this season of celebration after a year of great upheaval and disappointment and loss. I appreciate the charge here:
“We can resist the evil one, be vigilant with our thought processes, do battle in our minds. We can be steadfast in our faith…”
God is not unnerved by any of 2020. Here’s to a happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas no matter what 🙂
I agree, Mary. Just because we can’t celebrate the holidays like we wish we could, our Lord has not left. Yes, “here’s to a happy thanksgiving and Merry Christmas no matter what”!
Such wise and welcome encouragement on a gloomy morning, Linda Jo. Sissy knows how to go the distance. May we do no less. I am freshly grateful for all the ways you remind us that we are ever upheld, friend.
Thank you for your kind words, Laurie. I like that: “Sissy knows how to go the distance. May we do no less.” Amen to that!
Just the words I needed.
I’m so glad, Julie. Be blessed in this time. Our Lord is with you. And all of us!