HOPE AMIDST THE CHAOS

With little warning, COVID-19 has quickly turned our world upside down.

Schools and libraries are closed, sporting events have been cancelled, social distancing has been mandated, and every day seems to bring new restrictions in an attempt to stay the course of this pandemic. Life as we knew it, is no more, and many people are panicking and trying to cope with the uncertainty by hoarding. And yet, despite the chaos and confusion, and the scary thoughts that try to take over my mind, I know God is in control.


The evidence is in the new birth all around me, reminders of truths that never change, symbols of hope this crisis has been unable to destroy. Spring's beauty is filled with signs of His faithfulness.




* Trees still budding

* Flowers still blooming

* Birds still singing

* Canada geese still crossing the road

A DAY FULL OF BLESSINGS

Woke up to a beautiful blue sky day, a little brisk, but not as cold as it has been. A perfect day for a walk.

I'd been wanting to take a walk around town to see the painted ornaments, but have been struggling with shortness of breath and barely able to manage a block or two. This morning was different though. I made it down the stairs feeling fine.

At church, the elders anointed me with oil and prayed over me (according to James 5:14), and I decided to try again.

First stop was the library to return a book, and then to City Hall to see our town Christmas tree.

In the library parking lot, two trees caught my attention. One had two nests on it--a little one and a much larger one.

The lower half of the other tree's trunk intrigued me. It looked like a bust sculpture without the head.
















After visiting the Christmas tree, I found a spot closer to the center of town to park in, and began my stroll along Main Street, and down and around 21st Street.

Two hours later, by God's amazing grace, I had covered almost three miles (6,498 steps) and taken over 250 pictures without experiencing any shortness of breath.

Following are just a few of my favorite sightings on this walk. The rest of the hand painted holiday ornaments will get a post of their own.

I really liked the words on the music store's sign, and a couple of blocks past that one, got a chuckle out of the upside down sign wishing passers by a great day.






















































I stopped for a few moments to watch some squirrels scampering around, and took several shots of this one gorging on acorns.








Then, before continuing on my way, I got to meet these two beauties--Jack and Hugo.




























































This piece of litter caught my attention because there are no Bloomingdale stores in this neck of the woods. I wondered how it got here. The closest one is about 30 minutes away, I think.






When I got back to my car, I looked up and saw a cross in the sky.  What a great reminder that God is always watching over me. It made me a little teary, and a lot grateful for the miracle of this day.








One final reminder when I got home came in the form of a little heart shaped stone that caught my eye as I stepped out of the car. No matter how things may look in the natural, no matter what my intellect may try to convince me of, God is a good God and He loves me.