Beloved Child

     The questions of the quarantine remain. The conflicting advice and uncertainty continue. Each day there are bright spots with talk of promising vaccines, a slow reopening of restaurants, parks and sporting events. Our distancing will continue for a while longer and it is extremely challenging for all uf us.

     Along with this uncertainty, we are faced with continuing and escalating racial divide, political agenda, hate and violence and the escalation of evil around us. Each of us has differing thoughts on how and what and when and why, don’t we? The differing viewpoints have continued to decline into incivility, anger, rebuke and rigid views on right and wrong, left and right. Everything appears to be political and the divide ever widens.

     My goal is to remember I am a beloved child of God. God does not look at the outside and neither should we. My God gives me instructions on staying away from anger, on striving to look at the heart, on remaining true to the fruit of the Spirit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 2 Timothy 2:24

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

     There are times we need to speak and honor the truth. And most times we should think before we speak. (James 1:19-20) Keep praying, keep hoping, keep sharing the good news and the hope for tomorrow. Love abounds. Love wins. The love of our Father abides with us. Trust Him.

Father,

We need You each minute. Watch our mouths. Keep our minds focused on what is important. You are in control, even when we believe everything is in chaos. Teach us through these difficult times and let us represent You wherever we are. Protect us. Save many. Bring goodness out of evil.

In Jesus name,

Amen