The rain reflects my mood this day, somber. The rain is gently coming down outside my window, but the air is calm, there are no ripples on the lake from wind, all appears calm. I don’t really have a name for what my heart is feeling during this time of uncertainty.

The calm of the air and the rain coming from the sky reminds me that God is in control and He is with us. Even in these times of uncertainty, the sun will rise in the morning. He is not surprised by this virus and He understands that we are feeling uncertain and anxious. But there is no need to fear.

I once heard an acronym that sums up the word fear. False Expectations Affecting Reality.  This holds for many of us in these uncertain times and that is why it is so important to stay informed, to get our news from multiple sources and to turn to one another for encouragement and support. We are not alone in this pandemic and this is an opportunity to reach out to one another by other means besides in person contact.

Today I received some disappointing news. My transplant has been postponed. Though I am not surprised, it is still a blow to my already fragile heart. My immune system after transplant will be even more compromised than it is now, and catching the virus could be the worst thing for me, so it is the right decision, for my safety and the safety of my donor.

These are uncertain times, with not enough information to know when this pandemic will subside, but the certainty is I know God is with us. He is in the phone calls and texts from friends offering their support while I am stuck home, confined to my 4 walls, He is in the loving concern of family and friends and He is with the doctors and nurses who have to make some very difficult decisions in these challenging times.

Now is the time to pray for our leaders, for our government, for God to provide them wisdom in the decisions ahead. Time to pray for our nurses, doctors and first responders who are working long hours and putting their lives on the line every day. And please pray for our families, they are being affected financially and emotionally.

Reach out to your neighbor, see how you can help. Call to simply say you are praying for them. And pray for our churches, for now is the time for the church to pull together and be the body to serve our communities. We have an enormous opportunity to show Christ’s love today. 

I pray you all be safe, listen and pray. Ask God how you can help. Together with God we will overcome. God prepared me for this possibility as I have been reading the book of Joshua. 

In Joshua 1, God tells His people to prepare for the journey ahead, that they would need to be strong and courageous for the challenges ahead and they should rely on His Spirit. Specifically He says “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  I am strengthened by this passage, it encourages me to know God is by my side, but not only that He is going before me to prepare the way for what is ahead. I will overcome, I can persevere and so can you.

If I can pray for you and you family, please let me know.

Yours In Christ,