Encountering God

I am trying to be more consistent in my blog writing. So, I made myself a calendar of things that I want to share with you so I can always make sure my thoughts reach your eyes.

Then days like today happen. I was going to write you a blog about ways to encounter God, but with everything going on, my mind is all over the place.

Life as we know it is changing – drastically – right before our eyes. Things are happening today that my grand-baby will likely read about in history books when he gets older. It is that impactful. And, we all feel it, don’t we?

It doesn’t matter where you are in your life’s journey, these changes have affected you.

• Older adults who love company and inclusion are being distanced from loved ones so as to protect them.
• Kids have had their structure pulled right out from under them. Now, left to find a new norm discovering the joys (or pains) of homeschooling.
• The working class is wondering whether or not they will be able to stay afloat with the little they have in their bank accounts. Jobs are shutting down, pay is getting cut, how far can they go before they can’t go any further?
• Others are stuck in front of the television watching update after update and wondering if their “underlying illness” is one that could increase their risk.
• Teenagers and young adults are moving around business as usual. They are worried about it, but don’t really see the need to fear it. They don’t grasp the extent of its power just yet.
• There are naysayers and people who believe the world is overreacting. And, there are others who have already entered their stored and stacked bunkers as if it is the end of the world.

And, time. It just keeps on moving forward. Every day, every hour, every minute, every second… is this our new normal? How long will this last? How can I protect my family? Are we being too dramatic?

This anxiety and fear that is gripping so many of us doesn’t make anything any better. Going through a list of the what-ifs or waiting around for the next news update allows our lives to be so much further impacted than necessary. We will even begin to feel it physically.

I’ve thought about all of this. I have thought about how my life has personally been impacted. The fact that being a writer working from home has its pros and cons to begin with, but when the house is no longer quiet because the schools are cancelled, it gets tougher. When businesses start closing and temporarily suspend their marketing efforts, if affects my income. When I hear my friend’s son has a cold and she can’t find over-the-counter medicine for him, it pains me. Being stressed about making sure we have enough food (and toilet paper 🤣) to provide for our family of 5 (and our 4 fur-pups) in case our state issues a shelter-in-place order is overwhelming at times.

But then it comes.

The older people in our communities receiving help from younger strangers wanting to make sure they have what they need.

Restaurants all over the country offering free lunches to kids who may be in need.

Neighbors sharing what they have with each other.

Families reconnecting in ways they haven’t in a long time.

It feels so good to see all of this happening. You want to witness God working? It’s here – all this goodness.

We have been forced to slow down. And, when life comes to a screeching halt, we fall back to the basics. And, despite it all, we are blessed. Do you see it?

In some ways, we are talking about encountering God, aren’t we? Hey, this post made its way there! God is good — he lets me ramble and he always knows where he is taking me. Right back to exactly what I wanted to share with you — how to encounter him.

Our busy schedules, full days, and overly-stimulated minds can keep us from spending time with and encountering God.

Let go of the fear. Let go of the anxiety. Have faith that everything will work out because it will. Why? Well, my friend, because you’ve got two weeks to chat it up with God like never before.

Journal. Worship. Read. Pray. Listen. God is right here.

Until next time… ❤❤