Is it a new season? Have you pulled out the clearly marked totes, tasted a spiced-up cappuccino at the local coffee shop, perused a clearance rack or two due to the new inventory coming into the stores?
 
Is it a new season? Have you welcomed a baby into your home, or said goodbye to one as she left for college? Have you recently separated from a spouse, or perhaps just tied the knot? Has someone dear to you left this world?
 
Is it a new season? Have you just changed jobs, on purpose or unexpectedly? Maybe you're currently "exploring your options." Have you been recently diagnosed with a chronic disease or heard the news of cancer in your own body or that of a loved one? Did you just "ring the bell"?
 
Is it a new season?
 
Seasons change. Sometimes it's exciting, fresh, new. Then again, it may feel like Narnia under the rule of the White Witch—always Winter and never Christmas.

​You are probably familiar with the song by The Byrds with the line "to everything there is a season." Those lyrics and several that follow are found in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. God has set in motion this concept of seasons from the beginning of time (Genesis 1:14). Knowing that truth gives me hope in the difficult seasons and challenges me to grow as I enjoy the exciting ones, understanding that one season gives way to the next. So, relish the exhilarating flavors of that pumpkin spice chai latte, pour your heart out to God during that long winter night, let hope arise in your heart as the first crocus appears or when you see the robin, and take in that vitamin D from the rays of the sun until it gets too hot and you need a refreshing dip in the lake! Whatever the season, let God be your Evergreen—never changing, always faithful—through it all.

Personally, I love giving, particularly at Christmas, so much so, that purchasing generally begins in August. I put away in a special place little things I find for my family and friends. By October, I have a list of charities and ministries to which I would like to give a special year-end gift.
  
Our church presents us with yet another opportunity to give. Wednesday evenings in December have been designated December Ministry Nights—a time when church classes are suspended and the congregation reaches beyond church walls to bless others.
  
As I peruse our choices from the three sign-up sheets laying prepared ready for signatures on a foyer table, I see the first alternative is to serve a traditional Christmas meal and share warm fellowship with those who have no place to call home. In the past, I have found this to be a particularly fulfilling experience, yet admittedly, a bit uncomfortable one.
  
My eyes move to the second option: singing carols for elderly residents in a nursing home. I have always enjoyed visiting with people in their later years, and since I love to sing, this has been a natural fit repeatedly enjoyed.
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The final sign-up sheet is for those who would like to help paint the restrooms of a nearby rural school our church has adopted. I used to paint a great deal, but not so much anymore. It's too hard to get up and down these days. Even so, I did volunteer last winter to help paint the classrooms, carefully cutting in paint around the woodwork and trim. It was fun, especially with all the chatter between volunteers. I felt a nudge in my heart, picked up the pen, and signed my name. Paint the restrooms it is! ​

Within only a few minutes, my sense of anticipation quickly faded as the man who supervised the project informed me my job would once again be cutting in...around the toilets and stalls!
 
"Seriously? This isn't what I signed up for!"
 
I envisioned myself kneeling on a nasty urine-soaked floor, crunched up between a dirty elementary school bathroom stool and probably just as germy stall wall. I could visualize myself with my head leaning against a nasty toilet rim, my body twisting to reach behind the stool to paint wall instead of porcelain.
 
Suddenly, shaken from my thoughts, I remembered something I have said to the Lord…actually many times over the years. "Lord, I will go anywhere and do anything you want me to do. I will clean toilets, if that is what you ask of me."
  
Wow! There it is...in just an instant, my heart is exposed!
 
I heard myself breathe a deep sigh of sad recognition. My shoulders slumped in resigned surrender. I clearly saw my stinking attitude and shallow motives. How did I swerve off course? Yet in just a brief encounter with the Way, the Truth, and the Life, my heart was recalibrated.
  
Giving has never been about me, but rather, about the Lord and how He chooses to show His love and grace to people through me, a vessel.
 
"Lord," I cried, "please forgive me. I do want to do whatever you call me to do and do it with all the love and grace You have given me."
 
Immediately, my thoughts were of the school lacking in funds and teachers, although not paid nearly enough for the great job they do with our kids, using their own resources to provide supplies for the students. I could see the clean bright restrooms they would soon have because of people who give of themselves so they and their teachers can live out their school days in pleasant surroundings.
  
Joy and the true love of giving filled my heart.
 
Amazingly, when I arrived at the school to paint, I was given a new assignment--to cut in the baseboards and around sinks. The floors and toilets were sparkling clean. The wall behind the stools? The supervisor had already painted them.
  
In no time at all, we had two restrooms shining with fresh new paint awaiting the beginning of a new school day.
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Isn't God good?! ​

As you look at the above photo of a penny, what does it represent to you? The answer I am searching for today is: ONE. This is a word that seems to have lost its value. There are so many voices and so many choices, so many distractions and so many priorities, that focusing on just one thing seems impossible. Yet David, who is credited for being a man after God’s heart, penned this important truth. ​

This passage provides us with sound instruction for the unprecedented times we are currently living in. When we seek the ONE true God first, our priorities can come into alignment, and His voice can resonate above all the noise.
  
While I do not believe God sent our current world crisis, I do believe He is using it to help us remember the Power of One--the importance of His voice and instruction over all other; the significance of making Him our number one priority.
 
We are unable to possibly decipher the many conflicting reports, agendas, and opinions that bombard us each day. Many of our former priorities which competed for our time with God, no longer exist. Could it be that God is reminding us to seek Him first? Is He asking us to make Him number one yet again? In our seeking, we can find many benefits.
 
First, we can access the promise of the second part of the Scripture above. It doesn’t say, “If trouble comes,” it says, “When trouble comes,” we can be hidden in the secret place of the Most High. As a Christian, I am not promised a life with no storms. However, I am promised I will be sheltered and God will never leave or forsake me. I have the assurance He will calm the storm or He will cross with me through it to the other side.
 
Secondly, if we, the Body of Christ, would all focus on one thing and one voice, we will see a spirit of unity prevail as it did in the New Testament Church. This group of believers was known for having one heart, one mind, and operating in one accord. They turned their world upside down!
 
What if the Body of Christ would do that today? What would happen if collectively we all united with His agenda and focused on His priorities instead of our own? Now is the time for today’s Church to arise with a spirit of unity and in one accord, to ask our one true God to have mercy on the United States of America and restore her to be “One Nation Under God” once again.
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I do not believe God is finished with His church on this earth; I believe her best days are in front of us if we will remember the value of One. We are given the key on the face of the coin: “In God We Trust”! ​

Rhonda Barnes is author, speaker, Christian blogger, and gifted teacher of God’s Word. Credentialed as an Assemblies of God minister in 2002, Rhonda currently serves as Associate Pastor at Grace Community Church in Salem, Missouri. Her first book, Road to Transformation, Journey to God’s Glory, was released in 2014. Since then, she launched the Christian teaching blog Secret Place Revelation, inspired by Psalm 91:1. In 2017 two additional books, Keys to the Kingdom, and It is Written were released. Rhonda is passionate about sharing the truths of God’s Word and enjoys writing, speaking in many settings, and teaching small groups.
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To contact Rhonda, please visit www.secretplacerevelation.com or email rhondabarnes@embarqmail.com

If I were to be honest, I would admit that during this pandemic, I have experienced some really strong emotions. I have had moments of sorrow, loss, anxiety, loneliness, frustration, anger, and, yes, even love. This last week, I have felt especially small in what feels like a giant, tumultuous storm swirling around me, out of my control. Nothing is “normal” or seems to be of sure footing. I have prayed for my family, the sick, their families, healthcare workers, our country, our leaders, the church, and for the rest of the world suffering from this crisis. With all of that, it has felt too selfish to pray for my own heart, even though my heart has taken a beating. 

​We, as human beings, are funny. In the middle of all this drama, I found myself, on Memorial Day, scrolling through the internet to learn how to grow a lemon tree from lemon seeds. You see, my back porch is a place of refuge and peace for me. It has always brought me joy to fill it with beautiful, life-giving plants. To add to my lavender, sweet mint, and cilantro, I’ve wanted a porch-sized lemon tree. Seeds seemed like an affordable, although time-consuming, way to get one.  Hang with me here, as I’m to the last part and point of my story.

Around noon on Tuesday, I received a call from some very dear friends asking me to meet them in town. We agreed on a time and meeting place. I grabbed my mask and off I went. I pulled into the parking lot to find my friends standing in the middle of the lane holding a gift for me. You could have knocked me over with a feather at what I saw. . . . It was a lemon tree!!!  Tears streamed down my face as I heard the gentle voice of my Savior say, “Melissa, I see you.  Your heart is important to me.  I know you and I love you.  Here is your lemon tree.”
 
You may wonder why this random friend is sharing this seemingly insignificant story in the middle of this very significant time in history. It’s because that lemon tree meant more to me than this article could ever portray and I want my precious friends, who listened to Jesus’ voice, to know just how thankful I am for it and for them. But, more importantly, because I wanted you to know that your heart matters to Jesus too!
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Your lemon tree may be a sunset that simply takes your breath away, a bird’s song that calms your heart, a warm gentle breeze that causes you to turn your face into the wind, a friend who texts just to say they are thinking about you, or a Facebook post that causes you to remember who you are to God. Whatever your lemon tree is, see it for what it is. It’s a loving reminder that you are SEEN, you are KNOWN, your heart MATTERS to God, and you are LOVED!

​Melissa’s love of people and her passion for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ has opened doors for her to minister in eighteen different countries on three continents in all types of ministry. She has held positions of youth pastor, children’s pastor, worship pastor, evangelist, and missionary. Her unique testimony has given her the opportunity to minister to people from all walks of life and of all ages.

by Sarah Highfill

“Ouch! That hurts!” I remember thinking to myself as I felt my muscles stretched beyond their current capacity. I had just started CrossFit in North Africa and we were only in the warmup, which was workout enough for me at that point. We were supposed to be stretching our legs as far apart as they could go with both hands on the ground in the middle. The problem: my partner was supposed to be pushing me deeper into the stretch with each count. “One”—a little push that wasn’t too bad. “Two”--another push. “Three. . .Four.” Now we were at “Five” and it was starting to be very uncomfortable. “Six” Why did we needed someone pushing us? When it was just me, I could control how far I was comfortable going.
  
I didn’t realize I was resisting the stretch until my partner flat out told me—“Stop resisting.” I had gotten to the end of my comfort zone and was starting to feel some pain. However, once I stopped resisting, my partner pushed me deeper than I would have ever gone on my own.
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The Lord used this to speak to me. I was in a season of being stretched spiritually so I could grow and go deeper in my faith and in my relationships. I was being strengthened and didn’t realize it. My spiritual muscles were being stretched and I was becoming stronger. I felt the Lord whisper to my spirit, “Stop resisting what I have for you.” I couldn’t go deeper in my walk without the stretching and the strengthening.  ​

I was reminded of this lesson recently at the conclusion of my time with my connect group. When we are being stretched and refined through the fire, it hurts, and the fire is very hot. But, it is worth it! The growth, maturity, steadfastness, and perseverance that comes out of these uncomfortable times is worth it all! James 1:2-4 ESV says “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” The Living Bible in verse four says “So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems.”
  
When I was being pushed into that deep stretch, believe me, I was squirming and ready to push my partner off me. In that moment I didn’t see it as a growth opportunity because I was feeling the pain and ready to squirm my way out of it. Sometimes we might be uncomfortable because previously we have never faced this particular kind of trial. But we don’t have to give into fear, and we are empowered to count it all joy.
  
Are we willing to be temporarily uncomfortable so our faith can grow? Are we resisting something God intended to produce growth because it may be painful, awkward, or uncharted territory? Do we unintentionally resist God because it is a troubling situation we’ve never faced before? Are we counting it…all of it…joy? I think it’s interesting that in several of the translations I looked, it doesn’t say to count it AS joy, meaning similar to joy or to the extent that it is likened to joy. But. . .it IS joy!
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There will be growing pains, awkwardness, and uncomfortable stretching, but guess what? We can be joyful and confident that God is working something wonderful in us by growing, stretching, and refining us to be more like Him. With the help of the Holy Spirit as our partner, we can relax and be taken deeper than we ever could go on our own or have ever been before. ​

Sarah Highfill serves as a missionary to North Africa. She enjoys doing and coaching CrossFit. When she is state side she enjoys taking her Schnorkie, Shadow, for walks and being involved in the ministry of Stained Glass Theatre.

​“CANNOT UPDATE. CREATE SPACE.”

The flashing message on my computer was not unexpected, but today required my full attention. The hard drive on my aged Toshiba, was simply too full to support the latest Windows update.

But the message to “create space” spoke more deeply.

Before the Coronavirus, our life in ministry was exceptionally full and pre-packed with expectations. Our culture applauds high productivity and, without realizing it, our ministry can begin to reflect these same values.

Months before the shelter-at-home order, God had prodded me to slow down. These weeks of working from home, Zoom meetings, and recording Sunday services have become a “severe mercy,” forcing us to clear our calendar and quiet ourselves, seeking God’s direction.

In her book, Invitation to Solitude and Silence, Ruth Haley Barton captures this tension:
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God is infinitely patient, and knows the greatest thing he has given us is our freedom. If we want to habitually, even exclusively, operate from the level of our own reason, he will respectfully keep silent. We can fill ourselves with our own thoughts, ideas, images, and feelings. He will not interfere.

But, if we invite him with attention, opening the inner spaces with silence, he will speak to our souls, not in words or concepts, but in the mysterious way that love expresses itself—by presence.1
 
Isn’t this the essence of “being still and knowing” God, (Ps 46:10) by “creating space for God’s activity rather than filling every minute with our own?”2 Through silence, we consciously withdraw from the demands of life, the noise of our own thoughts, and our desire to control, to hear a truer Voice.
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To explore this further, Barton offers three strategies for creating space.

1. CREATE A SACRED SPACE
Place has a particular stronghold in our memory. We are creatures of habit and creating an environment that is set apart for meeting with God—away from our responsibilities—can position us to hear His heart. Sacred space can be a comfy chair in a quiet room, a walk on a trail, even a prayer closet.

As a young, stay-at-home mom, our piano was situated near an east-facing window. And each morning, the sun would stream in upon the piano bench, calling me to come sit, play, and worship. In that home, it became a sacred space where I met with God and learned to allow His creativity to flow through me. This was not productive practice for Sunday worship, but rather an intimate exploration, a gift offered back to God.
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Today, almost three decades later, others play on the platform, and that aging piano no longer sits in sunlight. But that bench still calls me to come and sit, to explore and improvise—to enjoy His presence.
For me, it has become a sacred space.

2. CREATE SPACE IN TIME
Because time is limited, it has value.
Creating space in time is to give God our undivided attention, set apart from preparing for Bible study, Sunday’s message, or even praying for needs. It is the discipline to refuse temptations and simply show up before God, letting Him do the rest.
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“Over time,” writes Barton, “our body and soul respond to established rhythms, so eventually the very act of entering this set-apart time and place ushers us into our own inner sanctuary.3
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This is the principle of Sabbath, where time for God is written into the very rhythm of life. Creating time requires saying no—to expectations, digital devices, distractions—even to worthwhile things. It is to consciously turn away from the temporal to focus on the eternal.
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When Mother Teresa trained her young Sisters of Charity to live among the poor of Calcutta, India, she wrote time with God into the daily cadence of their lives. Each morning and afternoon, everything stopped for an hour of silence, prayer, and meditation on the scriptures. Why?

We “need silence to hear God speak. . . . Silence of the eyes, the ears, the mouth. Who can underestimate it’s importance?”4

These words are true for us today, as we carve out space in time for God.
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3. CREATE SPACE IN OUR SOUL
In ministry, because we share our lives with so many people, it can be hard to maintain privacy with God. But “sacred space,” writes Barton, “is also a place in our soul that is set apart for God and God alone.”5
She encourages “pondering the things that take place during solitude in our heart, as Mary did, rather than too quickly using them as tools for ministry. This is a way of keeping some things precious and sacred, rather than allowing them to be commandeered for utilitarian purposes.”6

For Mary, the events surrounding Jesus’ birth were unprecedented. But she pondered these things in her heart, storing them away like precious treasures. Thirty-three years later, as Jesus went to the cross, those treasures were there to sustain her. Each memory vividly underscoring God’s plan, bringing purpose to the pain of the cross.

Recording our own moments with God has great value. Seasons will come when we may question our ministry, our direction, our purpose—perhaps even our faith. But reviewing those private moments with the Father can anchor us to our calling. They build a framework for our faith, acting as mileposts of God’s presence to reinvigorate our sense of mission and supply courage for the path ahead.

At the time of this writing, we have no clear date for returning to ministry as we knew it. But it is evident that God has “created space” for us and given us a brief window to “invite Him with intention. And as we silence our eyes, our ears, our hearts to listen, He’ll give us wisdom and His strategy for moving forward.

1.     Barton, Ruthy Haley. Invitation to Solitude and Silence (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2004), 35.
2.     Barton, Invitation to Solitude and Silence, 35.
3.     Barton, Invitation to Solitude and Silence, 38.
4.     Wellman, Sam. Mother Teresa: Missionary of Charity (Uhrichsville, OH: Barbour Publishing, 1997), 107.
5.     Barton, Invitation to Solitude and Silence, 38.
6.     Barton, Invitation to Solitude and Silence, 38.

Alongside her husband John, Mary Ann has served in full-time ministry for 30+ years.  A lead pastor’s wife at 23, she has experienced almost every role in the church, including teaching, leading worship, creating ministries, writing and directing productions, and developing projects. She looks for God’s truth and glory in unexpected places, and loves to explore through reading, hiking, snorkeling, and traveling adventures with her husband.  They  are passionate about missions, and have led teams to South Africa, Cuba, Vanuatu, Sri Lanka and Alaska. With two married children, they are savoring a new stage of life as grandparents. Mary Ann received her ministry credentials in 2014, and she and John have pastored Blue Springs Assembly for 22 years. They reside in the Kansas City area.  ​

I'd like to share some things I experienced recently in my own backyard that remind me of God's promises for uncertain times.  We live in the country overlooking a gentle rolling landscape of trees and pastures. It's beautiful and it’s spring. A herd of cows satisfy their days munching winter grass in the field below our house. When the grass is gone, the farmer brings in hay twice a day, honking and driving slowly across the field unrolling the bales. The cows come running. They are content. Their needs are met.  So I ask, am I a content and grateful person? In all honesty, I have a strong temptation at times to grumble and complain.  King David said, "I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds." Psalms 9:1 ESV. He certainly knew trouble and heartache.  It is amazing how an attitude changes when we give thanks and rehearse God's goodness. Why worry? God has promised to take care of us.

One day I noticed a cow separated from the others, standing over a newly born calf. She nudged and licked her calf for some time trying without success to get him onto his feet. She knew that if he didn't get up and drink her milk, he wouldn’t survive. Then she did something I had never seen. She straddled him with her udders over his head, and carefully laid down in front of him so as to put his food supply right under his little nose. He must have chosen well because soon the little guy stood by his mother's side.

Peter said, "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby." 1 Peter 2:2 KJV.  When Job's world fell apart, he uttered these words. "But he knows the way that I have chosen: when he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold... his way have I kept... I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food." Job 23:10-12 KJV. As Christians we know the choices we make determine our outcome.  Each day a new little black-nosed calf was added to the herd, until there were sixteen dotting the pasture. God's grace multiplied and blessed.

Then their world suddenly changed. The sound of a truck horn echoed across the hills. The cows were all leaving. I saw a solitary calf in the far corner of the field looking frantically in all directions. His mother was nowhere in sight. The few remaining cows with their calves trailed the rest of the herd that followed the red feed truck. It crossed the pasture, drove through the gate, crossed, and entered another pasture on the other side of the road.

The confused young calf froze in place. One of three cowboys rounding up the strays saw him, rode over, and tried to herd the little guy toward the last departing cluster of cows, but the calf refused to budge. He moved a few feet, then circled back, and planted his little hoofs right where he had originally stood, as if to say, “I'm not going anywhere, and you can't make me.” Slowly, the cowboy dismounted, walked to the calf, picked him up, and gently laid him on his side. Before he could scramble to his feet, the man secured a rope around his lower legs, then left to help the other cowboys herd the stock through the gate. It took nearly forty-minutes to get all the cattle out of the road and into the other field.

The cowboy did not forget the frightened and helpless little calf.  All three cowboys and the truck made their way back across the tired pasture to the calf. They picked him up and laid him carefully in the truck seat. The processional then delivered him to his mother who was waiting in the new pasture plenteous in water and sweet grass.  Isn't this a beautiful picture of our heavenly Father's relationship with us?

Let's be real here. When our lives take a sudden and dramatic shift, we too, may feel a bit lost, out of control, and maybe even afraid. Isn't it wonderful that there is a God in heaven who loves and cares for us? He is in full control. Nothing about our situation or its consequences takes Him by surprise. He is near to help, to protect, and to position us for greater things.

Finally, here are helpful Biblical keys for standing strong, confident, and secure through times of difficulty and uncertainty.

by Jill St. John

At 5’2”, I frequently find myself on my toes--or “tippy toes”--stretching to reach a glass from the kitchen cabinet, turn on the lamp on top of the armoire, or kiss my husband. In this Coronavirus season, nothing is within easy reach. I feel like I am on my tippy toes for nearly every part of life and ministry right now. . .stretching to reach, accomplish, and connect. Figuring out how to connect with people and not get closer than 6-feet is stretching me! Leading meetings, strategizing responsibilities, and presenting content--only through a screen--is stretching me! Working, living, and being in the same space continually with my precious husband and kids is stretching me!

Something that keeps us on our toes demands that we focus all our attention and energy on what we are doing until we reach it. We must keep our eyes on it and stretch to attain it. This season is requiring us to stretch, reach, and strain what we previously had no trouble grasping.
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Acts 20:28 talks about being on our toes: Be on your toes—both for yourselves and your congregation of sheep. The Holy Spirit has put you in charge of these people—God’s people they are—to guard and protect them. God Himself thought they were worth dying for. (The Message) A different version puts it like this: So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—His church, purchased with His own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders. (NLT)​

Jill St. John, once a high school English teacher, is an ordained minister in the Assemblies of God. She serves as Co-Pastor alongside her husband, Jason. For the last 23 years, they have served at Evangel Church in Kansas City: 6 years as youth pastors, 17 years as lead pastors. Jill has a passion for Jesus and a zeal for teaching God’s Word – helping others walk in God’s love and purpose. As a 4-time cancer survivor, she knows the goodness of God through the highs and lows of life and ministry. Jill is an authentic, enthusiastic messenger of God’s joy and hope. Teaching, cooking, laughing and hanging out with her husband and two children are the delights of her life! ​

I found myself upset with a friend. It’s rather embarrassing to admit, but it happened. Simply because of her “emoji” response to my comment on her social media post. Sounds silly, huh? It was like any other typical skimming of current posts. However, I found myself looking at all the other comments and her response to them. . .LOVE. Her response to mine. . .LIKE. What?! She didn’t LOVE my response? Immediately, my heart sank, my thoughts began to race, and I found myself wondering what I had done to receive a lesser acknowledgement.

I was comparing my simple comment to all the others. “She doesn’t like me as much.” “My words aren’t as deep or meaningful as the others.” “I’ve done something to offend her.” Really? I’m a big girl! I’m a grandmother for crying out loud. I’ve raised four daughters and walked through bigger drama than this. My reaction was an overreaction. Not directly to her—she never knew how I felt. But to myself. It caught me by surprise! I found myself in major comparison mode, measuring my worth and my value by this one simple emoji—LIKE.
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There are so many underlying reasons why this may have happened, but when it came down to where the rubber meets the road, I had to make a choice: Hang my head low because of one meaningless emoji and live in defeat for the rest of my life (sounds pretty grim) or I could search my heart, recognize the source, and surrender it to God. Obviously, I chose the latter. I chose to walk in victory.

Perhaps my experience is not unlike what you have experienced in our ever-increasing use of social media platforms. Maybe you have struggled with feelings of rejection or acceptance. Perhaps you have found yourself comparing your life to other’s “picture-perfect” lives. If so, may I say this? Stop it! Stop it, right now! You are too valuable to God and to the kingdom to go into self-destruct mode. Learn from my mistake and keep yourself free from the disillusions that can happen in the world of virtual conversations. As I have had to do, I invite you to submit any insecurities and feelings of inadequacy to the Lord. He will help you.

Five things I have learned from the LIKES and LOVES:

1) Social media emojis do not determine my value. “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139:14 ESV. He uniquely purposed me, and no one can change that.

2) Social media does not give me the full picture of someone’s life, thoughts, or motives. Jesus says this in Matthew, “Judge not that you be not judged.” How often do I take one moment in time to form an opinion about someone? I may not know her circumstances, or what could be going on with her hormones, or the fact that she’s total unaware of how she is presenting herself. Be understanding of that possibility. Give her the benefit of the doubt.

3) Be happy for the positive affirmation of others. It’s not all about me! “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor,” Romans 12:10 ESV. Everyone needs encouragement. Either be a giver of uplifting words or be content that someone else is receiving praise where “praise is due.”

4) Because of this experience, I can more-easily recognize the enemy’s schemes and surrender them to the Lord. “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me,” 2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV. Whether it’s my flesh or a divisive scheme of the enemy, I can quickly submit it to the Lord, or rebuke the devourer, and move on.

5) My Heavenly Father made me (and you) and His response is always. . .LOVE. “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,” Ephesians 2:4-9 ESV. Praise the Lord! He may have to correct me, along the way, but it’s okay, because He loves me.

My husband, Don, and I have been in ministry, together, for more than 35 years. We have four daughters, four sons-in-law, and four grandsons who keep our lives full of joy and laughter.  Having pastored the same congregation for more than 25 years, we now minister in a place where we enjoy serving our district ministers and their spouses. Traveling is a shared interest between us, especially as we connect with various churches and church leaders across our state and around the world. Encouraging ministry wives in their unique role and their walk with Jesus is one of my passions. After serving Jesus most of my life, I am still amazed at the grace and goodness of God and I pray that I never get over it.  For fun, I love to read and sleuth décor ideas on Pinterest. I enjoy drinking iced tea (no coffee for me), especially with a friend, and taking car rides in the country. ​

During this Pandemic time, many of us have spent more time than usual alone. I have never minded being alone. It’s time for thinking, praying even as I do my work, and quieting myself. I enjoy it.
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However, I have never had enforced long periods of aloneness. I don’t know if I would like that. Even now, my husband is here after work and weekends. He is an essential worker, so he is coming and going each day. I have someone to talk to, to bounce things off, and someone with whom to interact. I talk occasionally, at a “proper distance” to my neighbor. I email and talk by phone to family and friends. ​

I received a phone call a couple of days ago from a friend of twenty-seven years who lives in another state. She told me her husband had died suddenly that morning. I was stunned. She did not want to talk. She did not want me to pray with her. She just wanted to let me know.
 
She hung up, and I began to weep and pray. But HOW do I pray? After all these years of gently witnessing to this couple, I had no assurance he was ready to meet God. He was a good man. He ran his business with honesty and integrity. They were faithful to their old-line church. But they had difficulty seeing their spiritual need.
 
They knew nothing of God’s Word or about a personal relationship with Him except what we had told them as the Lord had opened opportunities. They were touchy and resistant to talking about spiritual things. One time when I mentioned the Bible, she told me, “We don’t use the Bible in our church. We have prayer books.” I thought at the time, how sad. Just as is described in 2 Kings 22, the Word of God had been lost in the house of God.
 
So, after hanging up the phone, I prayed in the Spirit according to Acts 8:26-27, as I didn’t know how to pray. Aren’t you thankful for the Holy Spirit at times like this?
 
It’s never a good time to lose someone you love. Often during this unusual pandemic time in our nation, I have thought how sad that people cannot have a proper funeral with the support of friends and family when death comes. Now my friend is there. We can’t attend his funeral. We can’t be there to say, “We love you” or to comfort her. I can’t offer to come there and help with all the stuff she must deal with.
  
She is alone. 

And she is even more alone as she does not have the personal relationship with a Savior and God. I cannot give her the same healing words of encouragement from the Word that we give our Christian friends and family at these tough times. I don’t know that he is with the Lord. I don’t know that she will see him again someday. So, at this point, we DO grieve as others grieve. It’s awful.
 
But I can pray. I ask God to somehow make Himself real to her. I pray that she will not become bitter. I pray that God will give her guidance and clarity in working through all the “stuff“ that is associated with the aftermath of a death. Paperwork alone can be overwhelming. And I pray that somehow, she will come to a personal relationship with Him. I pray she will turn to Him for help.
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For a moment, stop and thank God that you are never alone when He is your personal Savior. Reflect on what a tremendous blessing that is. Be grateful for His presence whatever your circumstances. Be still and know that He is God–even when you are all alone. Or, maybe especially then. ​