Time to Align

If you would have told me a month ago that we would be staying home because we were told to and not because we want to, and that in all of Wheaton there was not one single roll of toilet paper to be found, I wouldn't believe you!  

If you would have told me one month ago that all schools would be canceled and that college would go online, I think I would have smiled and said that could never happen here.

If you would have told me one month ago that we would be attending church online and would not be meeting for all of Lent, I would have stared at you in disbelief. 

But today I am living that reality.  So much around me is shifting, changing, shaking, and what I never expected is now my reality.  

Not all of the changes are bad, but just the fact that so much of normal life has been altered because of the current COVID-19 virus is enough to leave anyone's heart unsettled.

As I have been praying, and praying with others, the phrase that I have heard that has resonated with my heart is:

"Wash your heart as much as you wash your hands."

Yes, this is a time to align with God in every area of my life.  To ask God to take the light of His presence and show me anywhere that I need to change to be more in alignment with Him!

I heard these three questions today that a seminary student wrote that have helped me in this process of alignment. 

I ask myself:

"What has COVID 19 taken from me?  What am I grieving?"

"What has COVID 19 not taken away from me today?  What are the gifts that I am aware of in my life?"

"What has COVID 19 given to me today?  How has my relationship with God been affected?  What blessings do I see today that I did not see yesterday?"

I encourage you to take some time to ask yourself these questions.

Know that each one of you who reads this blog is in my thoughts and prayers!

I pray God's peace, protection, and healing over you, and that you will know His love for you in the midst of a shifting world.  

Please let me know how I can be praying specifically for you and your family!  

May God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and give you peace!