26 April 2020
Seven weeks ago when the COVID-19 sequestration began, I
noticed that “special” things were happening each day. In the beginning it was a telephone call from
someone who had not previously called me…from the Rotary, from a dear friend
with whom I hadn’t spoken in months, response to a job application (although
they are not able to move forward at this time). Other days there were
envelopes in my mail, a bag of fruit on my mailbox (x2) Last week it was a
construction paper heart from an acquaintance in Arizona, Saturday it was a
hand-written note on pretty stationery from someone with whom I’ve recently
become a FB friend (and who writes with a beautiful cursive!); today it was a
personal letter from a missionary friend in Romania (!)
The first week (when everything was “new” and “novel”) I
thought I should start a blog to record these special events. Now—with 6 weeks (43 days)—behind me, I
REALLY wish I had followed that instinct.
Our Life Group at North Coast Church had just finished a
group study of a book on TRUST. Only God
could have orchestrated the timing! We went on our spring break and straight
into COVID-19. Because our group has grown so close, one of our members
established a “Group Me” account which has enabled us to share thoughts from
our individual daily devotions, and personal prayer requests. This has been a period of “deep waters” with
one of our members losing a parent, and another having to close a family
business. How very special that we had just been learning about the sovereignty
of God.
In these 6 weeks I have watched the roses outside my kitchen
window grow from new leaves on long (24 – 36”) stems, to opening buds, to
full-blown blossoms with amazing fragrances. Now some of them have shattered
and need to be deadheaded. The freesias in my carport bloomed in an
attention-grabbing spray of bright yellow followed by the purple, but less showy,
version. In recent days the warmer
temperatures have encouraged leaving windows open which allows the enjoyment of
morning bird songs. I have a mockingbird visitor with an amazing repertoire; in
addition to the sparrows and finches who are regulars at the feeder, and the
occasional hummingbird who comes for a splash in the waterfall. And, yes, it wouldn’t be complete without
mentioning my newest visitor—a chunkin’ big raccoon—for 2 days in a row.
Throughout this 6-weeks I have kept hearing the same message
in various phrasing: Be still, led beside still waters, wait and see. By nature I am a “do-er” so sitting and
waiting require intention. I have been
waking early most days to enjoy my quiet time (and the bird songs!) In the first few days I struggled with
anxiety, but find that has diminished as I work on trusting more. And as I experience
provisions, it is becomes easier to trust for what comes next.
One of the interesting observations is that my meal menu has
been varied. I don’t like to eat
left-overs. Between trading containers with my sisters on whichever day one of
us cooks for 4 (or more), I have enjoyed a variety of dishes. I am appreciative that in addition to being
fed (ie. provided with daily manna) my penchant is being indulged with a
surprising variety—corned beef & cabbage, meatloaf on a couple of
occasions, shepherd pie, pot roast with potatoes & carrots, and the list
goes on.
Last week I needed to order some non-essential items from
the pharmacy but somehow in the wonderful world of electronics, the order
didn’t leave my “shopping cart”. By the
time I followed up and made certain it was “sent”, the acknowledgment said it
would be delivered on May 5th. Wow! Glad it was non-essential! Then this morning, as I was using the last of
the existing supply, I found a message that my order was shipped yesterday… and
it was delivered on my doorstep this afternoon.
Monday, May 4th
Beginning of Week #8
The “amazements” continue…
Just a few minutes ago I removed the protective cover from a journal in
which I’ve been recording my 2020 prayer-time Praises and Requests. Want to guess what is embossed on the actual
cover? “be still” (Of course!)
And on the fly leaf I had copied a quote when I started the journal on
January 5th: “Sometimes our
lives have to be completely shaken up, changed, and rearranged to relocate us
to the place we’re meant to be happy” https://www.dailyinspirationalquotes.in/2016/02/s
Be still my heart!
I would say that shaken up, changed and rearranged well
describes the last 7 weeks… and who saw THAT coming? I was grateful to have
just spent the previous week having my emotional cup filled by sharing spring
break with my Arizona family (20 of us when we sat down to Derek’s birthday
dinner!) and two weeks prior with Valerie and Brantley (to celebrate his 4th
birthday).
I am going to wrap this up so I can include a printed copy with
cards going out this week to those with whom I don’t have electronic
communication. As our world looks at “getting back to normal”, I pray that I
will not lose this sense of wonder and the enhanced observation that feeds it…
along with the gratitude that follows.
Speaking of mailing cards reminds me of the topic of postage
stamps. About 10 days ago while I was
straightening up I found a box that said it was sheet protectors and since those
have a designated “home”, I was headed to put them away when I discovered that
while there were, indeed, sheet protectors in the box, several of them
contained a sheet of postage stamps. What followed was consultation with my
E-bay friend to determine that the vintage stamps have no intrinsic value
beyond their purchase price. I have NO idea when the stamps came into my possession
or from what source, so I can only conclude that they were intended to encourage
me in sending notes to those whose paths cross mine. Considering the cost of postage, that is another
item for my gratitude journal.
Tuesday, May 19th Week 10 For those who have been following my blog about my daily surprises during sequestering: this morning I discovered this beautiful amaryllis blossom hiding in the ficus tree in my carport. A case of "bloom where you're planted"... or perhaps more aptly, where your flower pot gets set down. Right now a lot of our "flower pots" are put down in unusual places.
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