Blanketed by snow, Covered by God

 Today is January 1, 2021.  New Year's Day.

This day signals a day of new beginnings.  One finally gets a fresh start.  The time is yours to seize, with the latest resolutions in hand.

    We can all attest that 2020 has been a doozy!  The year began as a normal new year: people planned trips, began diets, promised to exercise, determined to make better grades, planned to save/ invest more money, desired to start businesses, and so much more.  New year...fresh start!  All seemed to be going well until we heard a scattering of news stories mentioning a virus that was sweeping across the world and taking people out of here.  Here, in the United States, we weren't initially alarmed due to a false sense of security, a belief that nothing could really hurt us and the bumbling idiot in government.  The beginnings of a coverup that would soon be uncovered by thousands in New York becoming ill.  When the lies could no longer be swept under a rug, the government finally began shutting States down, in order to save lives and get a handle on this virus.  It finally had a name the corona virus or COVID-19 and we were all warned to "shelter in place", stay home, wear masks, hand sanitize and clean surfaces.  Day by day, week by week, month after month we learned more and developed more safety precautions to keep our families safe.  Schools went online, Zoom became the formal meeting place and hang out spot, drive-by birthday celebrations were all the rage, and we noticed more people walking and exercising in nature.  Unfortunately, many people lost wages and more disturbingly, lost loved ones. Yes, 2020 has indeed been a doozy!

    At another glance, 2020 has taught us so much about ourselves and how to determine what is truly necessary to survive.  Churches realized that the building was ONLY a building and that most of the things that had taken place there previously were unnecessary. Many of the individuals who held these coveted positions of leadership, were actually there for the title, not for the people. The quarantine forced churches to take the saying "beyond the 4 walls" and put it into action.  My husband and I, along with our team, were determined to stay connected to our members and gained virtual members along the way.  Ministry became international in an instant.  Those churches who made the shift and focused on the virtual space are doing strong ministry today, still mostly virtual.

    Schools were exposed during this time.  Those schools who truly embraced the virtual platform continue to thrive today.  Those who were focused on returning to buildings, which were not safe, teeter back and forth between brick & mortar and virtual, due to increasing COVID cases.  On a personal note, we had to make a family decision for our 16-year-old not to play basketball this season. #heartbreaking This was most devastating to have to tell him that he could not experience the camaraderie with the team this season, because there were so many uncertainties about the virus. He was disappointed, but quickly realized that all we aim to do is to keep him safe.  I am so glad that we made that decision because every sport has been interrupted this season, due to exposure and infection cases on the team or in their families.

    This time has taught us to look at society and recognize the real MVPs. The healthcare workers never stopped sacrificing their time to care for so many sick individuals.  They had to also become social workers and counselors, as families were separated from their loved ones.  But this time has also shown us another group of real MVPs:  grocery store employees, who NEVER stopped working and stocking shelves to keep our families fed and those truck drivers who supplied those markets.   We can honestly say that many of us increased our online shopping, whether we need to or not, so big shout outs to the shipping companies and their drivers who delivered all of those packages.  Postal workers continued to walk the neighborhoods delivering mail, as well.  Whether you are the head of a company, in a position of power or in a high paying job, you still need essentials and that only comes through many of these individuals.  Even the CEOs use toilet paper!  So, ALL of us are necessary. #eyeopening

    Many of us have truly learned the meaning of #selfcare.  What small things can you do consistently each day to pour into your mental, physical, and spiritual well-being?  We have all begun to figure that out.  When my husband and I contracted COVID-19 after the City ice storm in October, we had to sit back and reevaluate what we truly needed for ourselves and our family to thrive.  Half of the things we used to worry about were a waste of time.  We are learning daily to appreciate each other's company and conversation more and more.  He makes me laugh, between the times where I want to choke him (ha), but I love every minute of it.  Even in close quarters for the last 10 months, we appreciate together time and  know the importance of quiet, individual time.  After 23 years of marriage, almost 30 years of being in relationship, we still give each other grace to grow.  

    Our sons, make us so proud!  Watching how they have both pivoted during this time and are truly becoming young leaders, who are embracing their passions makes me anticipate the future.  They will be fine! Yes, the pandemic has forced them to stop some things, but I believe this time has forced them to wrestle some questions about what they want to do with their lives.  My 16-year-old still has time to find his passion and we will give him space to do that.  Our goal is to make sure that he is getting a good education and to keep exposing him to different things, although much of it is still virtual.  My 20-year-old, who was already "Mr. Hospitality" has walked into what makes him happy.  He has developed his company website and is building relationships through photography, videography, and production.  We recognized a long time ago that he was not a 9 to 5, cubicle type of dude; he needed to move around and make his own way.  Quarantine showed him what he was really good at and what passions drive him.  God is faithful and has blessed our boys! #grateful

    Last night was the first time in my entire life that I was not physically in the church house for Watchnight service.  Growing up, I spent every New Year's Eve in worship and that only continued when Byron and I moved to OKC.  Our church was the Watchnight service hub, where anyone who came (before or after the party) ended the old year and began the new year praising God with church members, which usually ended with a full breakfast in the fellowship hall.  Again, due to the pandemic, virtual worship has become our method of ministry.  We prerecorded the service on Tuesday, people sent in their video clips and our production team performed a miracle which we presented to the people with excellence.  To God be the glory!  Well, when it started raining and icing after 10 pm, I was so glad that we were not in the building.  Had we been there, our people would have been traveling in rainy conditions and icy roadways.  By the time the clock struck midnight, I was lying in bed and knew that the rain had quickly turned to snow.

    Well praise be to God, when I opened my eyes this morning EVERYTHING outside was covered by snow.  There was a beautiful blanket of fluffy snow in my backyard. Wow!  I opened the blinds in the mancave and enjoyed my hot water, with lemon, watching the flurries still blowing through the sky.  What a beautiful sight! The thing that kept resonating in my spirit was "I've got you covered".  (On our thanksgiving Zoom call, my eldest brother shared with us that God had our backs. #greatreminder) But as the snow blanketed the ground this morning, my heart sensed God's covering over every area of my life.  Last night, there were stormy conditions that could have been dangerous to traverse.  Those of us who were affected by October's ice storm were a little scared when the meteorologist mentioned icy conditions.  The cold weather prompted many of us to turn the heat up in our homes.  I am reminded of the scripture, "weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning".  My joy this morning was seeing the snow and experiencing nature.  Again, I felt completely surrounded and covered by God.

So regardless of the heartache of last year, recognize that you are "covered by God".

• Fears and anxieties, "covered by God"
• Depression and isolation, "covered by God"
• Lots of money or no money, "covered by God"
• Sickness and even death, still "covered by God"
• A break in the normal, "covered by God"
• Stretched to the limit, "covered by God"
• Friends lost and true friends found, "covered by God"
• Ups & downs, twists & turns, "covered by God"
• Haven't figured everything out yet, "covered by God"
• Losses & gains, "covered by God"

    No matter what we have all experienced in 2020, we are yet "covered by God".  I am grateful for every hard lesson learned this past year and for every new way forged. I rest in the knowledge that whatever may come my way in 2021, I am covered by God.

If you believe you, too, are covered, put on some snow boots and ..........................walk it out.

Happy New Year 2021, you are already covered by God!