31August2020 Quickthought: After Corona

 

You’ve said it or at least you have heard it.  “I can’t wait until Corona is over.” Or maybe it’s something like, “Can we got ahead and skip the rest of 2020?”  I certainly understand this sentiment.  No need for me to post a list of the things that have happened in the last eight months.  We have been bombarded with the negatives, over and over and over, ad nauseum.  A natural reaction to all this junk is for the desire for it to just be over.  I feel it but lately I’ve also had this reoccurring conviction:  In our desire to fast forward to the end of Covid19, we may be missing out on some of the very things the Father wants us to experience, to learn from, allowing them to shape us into He desires us to be.  I’m reminded by Job’s words when his wife, affected by the same exact overwhelming losses and excruciating trials her husband had experienced, told him to, “Curse God and die!”  Rather, Job admonished her.  Should we accept from God only good and not adversity?   

Is it possible for us to acknowledge that there have been blessings in the middle of the recent chaos and unrest?  Maybe you have to squint to see them but they’re there.  And since they are there, shouldn’t we both express our gratitude and glorify the One from whom they come?  Let’s not be in such a hurry to get through the uncomfortable.  There is much to praise Him about even in the middle of the Corona. 

18August2020 Quickshot: Fungi

 

You dont have to be Frodo Baggins to appreciate the beauty of these mushrooms.  What a lovely reminder of our Creative God's love for us.  All of nature testifies to His goodness and grace we just have to open our eyes to it. 

4August2020 Quickthought: Dadvice

I recently tumbled across this YouTube channel called Dad, how do I?.  The creator shoots videos of dad advice for those without fathers or whose dads did not or were unable to teach them certain life skills.  There's how-to's about car care, plumbing, grilling and other very practical, necessary topics.  The videos are great but the comments read like a commentary on our society.  Here are a couple examples:

• "You got this, I'm proud of you." Words I've never heard from my biological dad. Swear you made me shed a tear."
• "You have no idea how much it means to hear someone say “Hey kids” especially for those who never knew their Dads."
• "It’s tough not even knowing your dads name Or what he looks like I love you man thank you for being able to teach me many things since the beginning."

As I was reading in Proverbs today, the opening verse of chapter 4 reminded me of these videos.  "Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching.  Much of Proverbs, or the Bible for that matter, is like receiving life advice from our Father.  You might not have a daddy or you father might be unwilling or unable to teach spiritual truths but God has given us His word, a father's instruction, so we can navigate this thing called life.  What a gift of grace!