Many of our communities are opening back up…

Depending upon your location and personal situation, this varies drastically. I spoke with a man yesterday who has almost no known Covid-19 cases within a significant radius near him, but whose brother works at a facility with a refrigerated truck out back as a temporary morgue. Jon takes this quite seriously, but many of his neighbors do not.

Each of us is experiencing this challenging season from a unique perspective. Some areas and individuals are affected more by illness, some more by economic impact. Some are facing tremendous loss on both fronts. Some lives have barely changed, others will never be the same. Some have lost loved ones. Some are financially devastated. Others are doing fine.

I’m hearing

• Fear

• Relief

• Impatience

• Hope

• Judgement

• Politics

• Conspiracies

• Excitement 

• Attacks

• Anger

• Finger-pointing

• Anxiety

• Trust

• Gratitude

• Conflicting conclusions

• Incredibly creative, generous, loving, inspiring serving of friends, family, and neighbors

As the body of Christ, we need to walk in wisdom, fueled by the fruit of the Spirit instead of our opinions. We cannot compare our lives, suffering, and situations. We continue to carefully navigate uncharted waters as we consider what a “new normal” will look like for us as an individual, family, church, community, and planet for the next days, weeks, months, and years.

My prayer every step: “Lord, may I be fueled by Your supernatural love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm19:14) Put Your arm around my shoulder and Your hand over my mouth. (Revised Goodtime Linda Version) And may I take each step in Your wisdom.”

“He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” (Proverbs 13:20)

Hope to see many of you all tonight! As always, feel free to slip in and out as desired. Come as you are: pajamas, bed heads, and all. It is good to be with the Church by any means we can finagle, “not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25)

Much love,

Linda