Today

2020 has been full of change for the world.

We’ve learned to let go of experience and learn new ways of doing things.

It has been overflowing with change for our family as well.

My husband’s brother and wife had a son.

His sister and her husband had a son.

Sis and her husband had a son.

Bell got married.

Anne is now a Senior in highschool and Jase a Freshman.

Sis is in her final year at University.

Anne is learning to drive…

You get the picture.

From my perspective 2019 was also immersed in change.

Our first grandchild was born.

I had to quit my job due to my health.

My husband changed jobs.

We moved three hours north.

Bell remaining behind to attend college.

We sold our property in the country and reside in a rental in the suburbs.

As 2020 winds closer to an end I can look backwards at these and other changes.

I could long for it to all return to the way it was before, but how far back would that be?

Would I want to return to the years our girls were in sports and school?

Or would I want to go farther back to when they were all children?

What about back to diapers and no sleep and…

Then I look at today.

Today is as full of blessings as any of my favorite memories.

Today is as valuable as yesterday was.

Today is where I am.

It’s good to look back and see where God has brought us.

It’s valuable to reflect on the changes God has made, because He is working through each one.

But it is vital to live in this day.

To look for what He is doing in my present.

For God is at work right now and I want to be a part of that.

I want to live in today, because it’s where He is.

Psalm 118:24 NKJV — This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for today. Thank You for all You have done in the past. How You have walked me and my family through so many things. Lord, thank You for working in and through those things and for giving us new understanding, new perspective. Lord Jesus, You alone know what this day holds and I humbly request that You hold me as I go throughout the day. Hold me in Your ways and in Your Word. Please teach me how to respond, teach me how to love. Please help me to do all I do unto You and not for self. Thank You for Your patience with me and Your understanding. How great and mighty You are! May Your name be glorified throughout the whole Earth! Amen.

What lay ahead

In January, I couldn’t possibly imagine what lay ahead for our family or our nation.

As October winds to a close, I can not imagine what these last two months of 2020 will be like either.

Even without the constant change due to the virus, our family has encountered constant change.

It’s been a year of adjustment.

A year of learning for all of us.

The year has held incredible pain.

This year has brought us unmeasurable joy.

It has truly been a roller coaster, where my knuckles have been white.

Gripping my own hands in prayer.

Prayer for our family.

Prayer for our friends.

Prayer for the church.

Prayer for our nation.

Prayer for our leaders.

Prayer for our world.

Many prayers for those who have yet to know Him.

Prayer for myself.

This year has been a whole new way to learn surrender.

Never before have I learned in this way, this lesson.

And I’m still learning it.

Learning to let go of expectation.

Learning to live for today.

Learning to relinquish my ideas of what I want to do, what I can do.

Learning to endure.

Learning to draw closer to God in all things.

Learning to allow praise and thanksgiving to permeate my perspective.

Learning to love His Word even more.

Learning to trust.

And it’s just the beginning.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for Your patience with me. Thank You for teaching me so much through sorrow and through joy. Lord, thank You for providing for our family in unexpected ways. Lord, thank You for friends and fellow believers who have blessed and encouraged me. Thank You for Your Word. The treasures within are astounding. Thank You for Your love. It is amazing! How great and mighty and worthy You are of all praise, all honor, all glory! I praise Your holy name, Jesus. Thank You. Amen.

For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord , As the waters cover the sea.
Habakkuk 2:14 NKJV