Lately, if I allow myself to watch the news or spend too much time on facebook, the world can seem like a scary place. We can be easily overwhelmed by all that is happening and we can easily forget that this is not all there is to life.

This past week, we brought my 90 year old father-in-law to the airport so he could make his yearly trip to West Yellowstone, Montana. Once there he will prepare his townhouse and then do what he loves to do, fly-fishing. This past Sunday, we also brought our son and his family to the airport so they could meet two dear friends and visit West Yellowstone, Montana. They will be staying with my father-in-law and visiting the beauty that is Yellowstone National Park.  If you’ve never been, I encourage you to go…the wildlife, the waterfalls, the geysers, the mudpots, the breathtaking vistas…all reminders of all that the Lord created. All that is real. All that is permanent.

These will remain, longer than any virus. The virus is fleeting. Inconvenient, yes, but temporary. God’s creation is not.

There is a verse in the Bible that is a favorite of mine. I find myself there often these days. I hope it will encourage you…

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” ~Philippians 4: 8

I also read the following excerpt. It had no author, but it’s words were encouraging and that is my purpose for this blog.

“”Sometimes I just want it to stop. Talk of Covid, protests, looting, brutality. I lose my way. Become convinced that this “new normal” is real life. But then, I meet an 87 year old man who talks of living through polio, diphtheria, Vietnam protests, and yet, is still enchanted with life. He seems surprised when I say that 2020 must be especially challenging for him.

“No,” he said slowly looking me straight in the eyes. “I learned a long time ago to not see the world through the printed headlines. I see the world through the people that surround me. I see the world with the realization that we love big. Therefore, I just choose to write my own headlines. ‘Husband Loves Wife Today’, ‘Family Drops Everything to Come to Grandma’s Bedside’, he patted my hand; ‘Old Man Makes New Friend’.

His words collided with my worries, freeing them from the tether I had been holding tight. They float away and I am left with a renewed spirit. My headline now reads, ‘Woman is overwhelmed by the spirit of kindness and the reminder that our capacity to love is never-ending.'”

Be encouraged, my friends…”I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”