Fun Memories

The year 2020 brought another devastating and strange event this week
But instead of it being an event of national news
It was one close to my heart and home
I could have started feeling down and in defeat
Instead I looked back and thought about all the fun memories
And it made me smile and block out what was currently happening

Going forward that’s the recipe to use
When 2020 brings terrible news
I’ll think about stuff like past concerts, vacations, backyard BBQs
And any other memory of fun things we used to do

How can you smile in the midst of adversity?
One, by realizing it could have been worse than it turned out to be
Two realizing that with life, God is still in control
If He allowed fun times in the past, in the future fun time we will see
But for now we can still smile about fun memories.

Scripture Reference:
1 Chronicles 29:11
Thine O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine:, thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and Thou art exalted as head above all.

God Is Keeping Us

What a year 2020 been shaping up to be
With stuff happening that usually only happens in the movies
From record deaths from a mystery disease
To record protests over police brutality
Never seen up close fires and looting in the city
On this weekend, it was no such thing as an emergency
Calls to 911 went unanswered as Police and Fire were so busy
All you could do was pray for your safety
As there was no where to run, mayhem was all over country

It got to the point where I asked myself if I wanna live long enough to see this again
Then, I was reminded of the words of Job
Shall we just receive good from the hands of a God and not bad (Job 2:10)
And besides, through all this God is keeping us
Didn’t He keep the disease away
While parts of the city burned, didn’t He keep us safe
We’ve missed no meals, got essentially what we need
No matter what happens in the world
God’s been our refuse and fortress (Psalm 91:2)
God is keeping us.

Discovering Simple Happiness

Shelter in place? How boring that’s going to be
No concerts, dining out, etc., just sitting around watching tv
But something happened surprisingly
I discovered being happy with doing everyday simple things

Simple things, like trying a new cake recipe
After all, due to closure, can’t get favorite cake from bakery
Time has allowed new household abilities
Cleaning, gardening and fixing things
The Bible says the joy of the Lord is my strength (Nehemiah 8:10)
And the Lord will show you how to get joy in the simplest things
He will give you joy even when you’re doing nothing

Because it’s not what you do, it’s your attitude
It can be one of feeling something missing or one of gratitude
Be still for a minute or a few
Meditate on the number of ways you’ve been blessed
And thank God for discovering simple happiness.

Scripture reference: Nehemiah 8:10