Ah, the teacher in me has said those words many times in my career. I set up procedures for my students to follow (different from rules because rules have consequences).  Procedures are just “steps” to make learning and my classroom operate smoothly.

Throw in a pandemic and flexibility and painful decisions become paramount.  The world is trying to be safe, which for many might entail staying home.  Parents with children creatively plan for learning to continue, via the internet, or even mom-made learning lessons.  What do others do as they learn their activities are cancelled, dinner out with friends, neighbors coming in to play cards, work hours cut or stopped, trips rescheduled or cancelled completely and yes, even church services cancelled?

Take out your pencil and paper because God hasn’t cancelled anything. He is still on His throne and knows our weaknesses, our dilemmas, our worries and loves us unconditionally through it all. If time is now on your hands and solitaire is wearing thin, use the pencil and paper to list your blessings.  Get creative and think of ways to help others.  Could you pick up prescriptions and or a few food items and deliver them to a friend in need? Could you weed their flower bed?  Mow a lawn? Call friends and family and let them know you love them? Begin a thankful journal, by writing at the end of each day, three things you were thankful for during the day.

Our Heavenly Father has counted each hair on our heads.  He knows our thoughts before we even speak them.  With Him as your guide through procedures of keeping the World safer, He will love you and fill you with His Holy Spirit of comfort.  Trust Him.

Jill