Spring brings the opportunity to plant seeds and bedding plants than to watch them grow. Each year brings different flowers and colours. I heard from several seniors in our community that they also enjoy planting and caring for their flower and vegetable gardens. Getting outside and enjoying the sunshine is healthy and a nice reprieve from cold days of winter.
Each week I look forward to the little nuggets of life-giving truth that come my way through reading blogs, emails, news articles and books. One of the reasons I keep a journal is to save my treasured nuggets to read again in months or even years later. I desire to live a life of gratefulness daily. By remembering how God teaches me, His faithfulness, and how He cares for me, helps to nourish the gift of thankfulness.
The following are a few nuggets I gathered this week, and I hope they inspire gratefulness as you read.
Nugget One: I am a word person even if I have a hard time saying most of them. I like words that catch my attention or are not in my daily vocabulary. One writer this week used the word discombobulated to describe what happened eleven weeks ago when we retreated into social distancing. Being pushed into a liminal space with no direction or clarity certainly did cause a state of confusion, upset and disorientation in our daily lives.
Now, most of us find ourselves recombobulating, which is also a verb meaning to reorient, to think clearly and to put back into some sensible working order. People are moving around more and trying to get back to a place that seems more ordered with regular rhythms.
I am not sure if life will be the same as it was before COVID-19, but for sure, routines are taking on a new shape. I would never have thought I would wear a mask as I enter stores. Now to stay safe, a face cover is a good option. It is interesting how people are creating fashionable ones. I guess this is part of our new normal, and I am grateful I do not need to wear one all day. I pray a special blessing over those who do.
How are you now recombobulating your daily life? What new habits are you practicing to stay healthy?
Nugget Two: Social distancing has caused many to experience isolation and loneliness, especially within the senior adult community. As I was thinking about the topic of social distancing, I wondered what the Bible had to say. I then remembered that the Apostle Paul experienced both during his life. First, when he was under house arrest and later in Rome when he was in prison. During his time in isolation, he wrote inspiring words of hope (nuggets of truth) for those who would read his letter.
He knew what he was writing about when he penned these words in Romans 8:38-39 (NLT): “ And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Paul knew that no matter how alone he felt without seeing his loved ones, he still was able to testify that the love of God cannot be limited or restrained. We know our family and friends love us, and we can hold this close to our hearts. But with God, his love is different.
The Bible reminds us that God is larger than time or space. He is Spirit. As I write, it is Pentecost Sunday, and we celebrate the gift of God's Spirit for those who trust in His Son. Jesus promised that He would never leave us or forsake us, and nothing can separate us from God's love. Paul knew this well. When we have faith in Jesus, we can trust His presence is always with us surrounding us and filling us with His Spirit of Love.
In what ways have you experienced God's loving presence this week?
A Prayer: Spirit of God, breathe on us anew, filling us with your presence. Help us when we walk through loneliness and isolation to experience your love. Help us to remember that nothing can separate us from Your love and mercy. Breathe on us until our hearts are pure and one with Your will. Open our hearts and minds to be grateful daily for all that You have given to us in Christ. Amen.
Nugget Three: I enjoy reading old hymns and poems. This week, Breathe on Me Breath of God, by Edwin Hatch (1878), came into my inbox. I copied it into my journal as another treasure to reflect upon and memorize. I am sure many of you have sung this hymn many times over the years. If not, it is worthy of using as a prayer starter when you need to remember He is near.
Breathe
on me, Breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love what Thou dost love,
And do what Thou wouldst do.
Breathe
on me, Breath of God,
Until my heart is pure,
Until with Thee I will one will,
To do and to endure.
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Till I am wholly Thine,
Until this earthly part of me
Glows with Thy fire divine.
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
So shall I never die,
But live with Thee the perfect life
Of Thine eternity.
Be encouraged friends as you continue to recombobulate during this new season, and may you have a heart full of gratitude for all that God has given. Stay safe and enjoy the new life popping up everywhere!
The Last Nugget: The following is an incredible Canadian choral and instrumental rendition of The Blessing found in Numbers 6:24-26. This rendition is a blessing for Canada and for all God's people around the world.
Listen and be blessed, click here.
Blessings,
Robin
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