Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
These are the times that try men's souls. ~Thomas Paine
How are you faring in these unprecedented times? How are you feeling? What are you thinking? How are you coping?
My husband, Danny, and I, because of his preexisting heart troubles, and because of our age, decide it's best for us to shelter in place until the all clear is given. In our state of Georgia, that will be in mid-June.
Oh, how far away that seems!!!
~
I'm guest-posting today at Cheryl's place, Homespun Devotions. Won't you join me?
Dear, sweet Martha! I am so thankful you shared your heart with us! It was such a blessing and encouragement. You always keep such a positive attitude, and that is surely so important during all this chaos. May the Lord richly bless you for blessing all of us in so many ways!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cheryl, for your loving and affirming words here! I'm totally convinced that God has all of this in His hands, and that having a positive attitude, not to mention a grateful one, is the only way to go.
DeleteLove and blessings!
What a perfect selection of verse and quote! Our governor just announced another phase in the near-opening of Alabama … but I'm in no hurry to fully begin socializing. Tom's COPD is always in the back of my mind. I HATE that this virus has succeeded in making me suspicious/fearful of my fellow man.
ReplyDeleteI hate that feeling of suspicion, too, Myra, that can overwhelm us at times. You are absolutely correct to be concerned about Tom's COPD being a risk to full socialization. Stay in place and safe as long as it is right for you. Hope Alabama opens soon!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Left a comment on Cheryl's website.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Beckie! I will check it out there.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Wow ... thanx for posting this, Martha. I was getting really worried about you and yours. I know you always post on Tuesdays and Fridays; and I get your posts at about 9:00am (or 8:00am depending on summer/winter time or if my clock is broken). Today you did not post on time. I kept checking and was about to send you a private e-mail to check you're OK. It is now 00:34 asm on Saturday the 9th. I'd better not e-mail you or comment here in case it is late at night where you are and I wake you all up. So please read this in the morning; not now.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you're all OK; albeit still in lock-down. As we are here too. Today the UK celebrated 75 years since Victory in Europe. TV showed films of how people then worked together and looked after each other - as hopefully we are doing today with our present difficulties.
Praying for you all; and for all those working in the front-line to keep us all safe.
God bless.
Victor, I so appreciate your worry about me, and am so humbled by this. I fretted, too, that my readers would wonder where I was in all this, but I agreed to guest post with Cheryl, and had to wait until the post was current to give the correct link for all of you. I always worry about you, my friend, when I don't see a post pop up when I expect it. Let us roll with the vagaries of life!
DeleteWe are starting to open up here in the U.S. and it couldn't come at a better time. We have record high unemployment, almost as bad as the Great Depression. Ironically, President Trump's economic policies had seen us enjoying the most vibrant and virulent economy ever before this happened. His slogan for reelection is back to "Make America Great Again," and I believe we will make that happen!
Love and blessings!
These definitely are the "times that try men's souls", but we know that our God is bigger than the Covid 19, and He will see us through to a safe harbor. You are wise to wait until you feel safe to venture out. There really isn't any rush. We each must do what we feel comfortable doing. Our Florida Conference of the UMC said we aren't to start back to church until mid June, (maybe), and that seems so long. I am struggling with that, but then again, we have so many elderly in our congregation and our building is so small, it is for the best. I just need to hang tight and be patient. Praying you will have a blessed weekend. (((hugs)))
ReplyDeleteTimes that try men's souls doesn't even begin to describe what we face right now, Pamela, but yes, God will see us through. Our North Georgia Conference has also said we can't open until June 22. Such a long wait! I know you are as anxious as I am to get back to church and to get back to normal. I truly believe we will get back to a secure time of pre-Covid, where we hug, shake hands, and freely spread the love of Christ through our physical presence. Nothing can defeat us when we know that Jesus has the victory!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Glad you and Danny are doing well my friend.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bill! I know Jo and you are taking good care of each other, too, at this stressful time.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Thank you
ReplyDeleteYou are so welcome!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Just visited your friend's blog to read your guest post. The advice to be grateful is perfect.
ReplyDeleteI have found several times recently when I was spiraling down into negativity that simply asking the Lord for help as been the answer. For Him to reply with the idea to be grateful is excellent, healthful, even!
Happy Mother's Day weekend to you, Martha Jane!
Barbara, it was the best response I couldn't even dream of, and proof that God knows our needs before we ask. He truly likes it when we ask for His help.
DeleteHappy Mother's Day to you, too!
Love and blessings!
Going over to your friend's page!
ReplyDeleteOkay! :)
DeleteIt does seem like a long time, doesn't it? At least you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Heading over to read your post.
ReplyDeleteYes, a very long time . . . Thanks for reading the post at Cheryl's place!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha,
ReplyDeleteThankful and blessed for the gifts God has given us. Here in Colorado we are embracing nature, cooking, crafting and staying in the word faithfully.
Blessings to you,
Jemma
Amen, Jemma, that sounds like the best plan.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, I commented on the post in your friend's blog.
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!
I will check it out, Kim!
DeleteLove and blessings!