Dear Sweet Friend,
I have been thinking about this phrase recently: If the Lord wills it.
I have heard this phrase from time to time, but rarely have I spoken it. To me, the words appeared to convey an unnecessary doubt about things that seemed certain.
Grocery shelves fully stocked.
Dinners out.
High school, collegiate, and professional sports.
University classes held on campus.
Prom.
Commencement ceremonies.
Graduation celebrations.
Church services.
Vacations.
Medical care when needed.
Wedding ceremonies.
Funeral and memorial services.
These were all a given, at least in my mind. But then came COVID-19 and everything changed.
If your family is like mine, then COVID-19 has thrown a wrench in your unnesting experience. One by one, our three chicks were taking flight and we were getting used to the changes.
But things are different now.
Instead of just one remaining chick eager to take flight, there are now two home—and both are feeling as though their wings have been clipped.
And I’ve been thinking about you, Sweet Friend and fellow unnester. You and your family have been on my mind a lot. I recognize we may not know each other personally, and that our circumstances may be vastly different.
But I do know what it’s like to wake up wondering how I’m going to make it through the day, how I’m going to remain sane in the face of all my responsibilities.
I know what it’s like to welcome this new, unexpected gift of togetherness and yet wrestle with the difficulties of too much communal living.
I know what it’s like to wonder if I have enough TP in the house. Should I return to the store? What about wearing a mask? Or gloves? Are those needed? Are they necessary?
I know what it’s like to struggle under the weight of it all.
I also know what it’s like to receive the tender mercies of the Father. Steadying me. Encouraging me. Strengthening me for the tasks He’s placed before me today.
Just for today.
I know what it is like to hear His reminder not to worry about the future for each day has enough trouble of its own. A reminder to remain present in the here and now.
A reminder to trust Him with my weakness, knowing that He is my strength.
A reminder to shed my fears and put on His courage.
And so I write.
I write this short devotional in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic that you might be encouraged. My prayer is that, as you work your way through the seven devotions, you will discover a steadfastness under your feet—the Rock that is Jesus Christ—so that you may stand firm today and in the days to come.
I pray that you will be richly blessed by the Father, Son, and Spirit as you seek Him in the storm.
With affection,
Tiffiney