They say a picture is worth a thousand words….

Less than 6 months ago these masks hanging from my rear-view mirror might have meant I was a doctor, a dentist or someone working in the medical profession. YAH RIGHT! Not this chick, LOL! Anyone who knows me knows I cannot handle the sight of a needle or blood so that would never have been a great career choice for me.

Today August 12, 2020 these masks hanging from my rear-view mirror bring up a lot of emotions and thoughts. They bring up a vast array of opinions, of which every individual has their own right to have. Whatever your opinion is, it is yours to have and thankfully we live in a country where currently it is your right to have that opinion openly. Mostly I am thankful for that!

For some, these masks mean safety and security or peace and comfort. For others it means loss of control and lack of freedom. For me, these masks bring up sadness, because of the divisiveness these simple masks have brought into our society. (I realize divisiveness existed before co-vid but it seems to have magnified the issues)

As I contemplated the changes in our daily lives that these little masks have created God whispered in my ear. Its always my favorite when he whispers a little reminder. I felt like for just a moment I was not trapped in this daily struggle between heaven and earth. I felt like in this one moment I was enveloped in peace. With just a whisper he reminded me that He has left us a guidebook, a road-map for every situation in life.

Genesis 8:22 says, “As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night.”

None of this surprises Him. None if this is a shock to Him. He already knew this was going to happen and He is already on the other side! He reminded me that we are not alone. He is here. He is here in our every moment, watching us and grabbing our hand just when we need it the most. He is in your hard day and your best day. He is cheering us on. He has not left us or forsaken us.

John 14:27 “I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So do not be troubled or afraid.”

If someone gets you a gift, do you set it down and open it when you feel like it? Or, do you have anticipation and restlessness until you open it just at the thought that someone thought of you enough to get you a gift? Half the time I do not even care what the gift is! I just am overjoyed that someone thought to get a gift for me! Can you imagine having a gift and never opening it to see what greatness is inside?

He left us a gift, we must sit with Him and open it. Turn off the tv, put down the phone and just sit with Him. I promise you He will speak to you. He will whisper to you just as He does to me. He has gifted us peace we just need to slow down and ask for it! THE WORLD is not going to give you peace. You are not going to find it in your relationships, in your job, in your possessions….. you will only find it in Him. He does not want us to be afraid. He does not want us to be burdened or living in fear. He does not want us feeling as if we are out of control or not free. He calls us to live in freedom in Him.

Today these masks told me a great story and a gentle reminder. He is here. He has not forsaken us. He is for us.  I love when a simple thing can bring such different perspective and I love that God can often talk through everyday circumstances. Be encouraged today.