Courage Through the Covid-19 Storm: Forgiveness

Tips for THRIVING

Tip #13 Learn how to forgive others and yourself

Listen to this blogpost on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/karen-sue-murdy/episodes/Courage-Though-the-Covid-19-Storm-Forgiveness-ef8cok
Or Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/4HeNdIl8UIfE5QnVSuyl7D

I struggle to forgive. Ouch!  I hate to admit that.

In these crazy Covid-19 times, we have had  a lot of opportunity to forgive others-with being so closed in together for stay-in-place orders, with vast differences of opinions of how to open back up, and with tensions exploding over the death of George Floyd. Forgiveness for people of different race, gender, or age. Forgiveness for our loved ones. Forgiveness for our leaders. Forgiveness for police officers or __________ fill in the blank, none of us are perfect!


I encourage you to check out these two books that
friends have given me that are very helpful:


Quotes from "How to Forgive...When You Don't Feel Like It":
"You need to understand that forgiveness is not a matter of letting the offender off the hook. It is a matter of taking the wrongdoer off your hook and placing that person on God's hook."
"The greatest payoff for working through stages of forgiveness is the new freedom you gain to expel bitterness, to enjoy relationships, and to experience wholeness, just as God intends.


Forgiveness brings peace, health, joy, and many other desirable characteristics-all of which the people of our nation desperately need right now. Forgiveness is NOT easy, but greatly NEEDED.

Not only do I have a hard time forgiving others, but also myself. After I wrote my blogpost last week, (https://karensuemurdy.blogspot.com/2020/06/courage-through-covid-19-storm-dealing.html) I thought about the exhortations from Paul in the book of Romans...hold fast to good, abhor evil, be patient in tribulation, etc. I wish I did that perfectly, but I do not. As Christians, we all screw up.
Thank God, His mercies are new every morning. "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23.

Covid-19 Challenge FORGIVE


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Courage Through the Covid-19 Storm: Dealing with Tension

Tips for THRIVING

Tip #12 Manage emotions in a healthy way.

Listen to this blogpost on Anchor
https://anchor.fm/karen-sue-murdy/episodes/Courage-Through-the-Covid-19-Storm-Dealing-with-Tension-eeu7vi

and Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/2HrjTRGiBsnvWU17syAOEk

Do you feel the tension in the air?

Did you feel it in March as everybody wondered if Covid-19 was going to descend upon their
home and kill their family members?

Did you feel it in April as weariness of the stay at home orders felt exhausting,
as the weariness of finding toilet paper and hand sanitizer challenged even the most determined,
and as the weariness of the unknown wore on and on?

Did you feel it in May as people mingled words of fear, freedom, masks,
safe social distancing, vulnerable, open economy, unemployment, "subject to change"?
What's safe? What's not? What's the future hold?

It is as if everyone has the tension of a stretched rubber band.

And then the tragedy of George Floyd. The policeman who killed him, along with the other
policemen at the scene acted, horribly horrifyingly. I don't know of anyone thinks what they did
was right. What they did was clearly wrong. (My sympathies to the loved ones of Mr. Floyd.)

People exploded.  Peaceful protests I understand, but I struggle to comprehend how
burning buildings and harming more people solves anything in this complex issue.

Who is the enemy? Other people are not the enemy.
The enemy is Satan. Thankfully, Jesus conquered Satan for us.
We are citizens of Heaven, but reside only temporarily on this earth.
Because of Jesus death on the cross and His resurrection on Easter, we live with the
hope of Heaven, where death shall be no more.

In my extended Hinz Family, each week someone picks out the "Hinz Family Bible verses" for all
of us to read each day. Here are the verses my sister picked out three weeks ago for all of us to read
on these dates. It gives me goose bumps to think of how God was speaking so directly to me through His Word.

Tuesday May 26

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there
be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. (‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21:4)‬ ‭

Thursday May 28

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (Romans 12:9-12)

Friday May 29

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Live in harmony with one another.
Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.
Never be wise in your own sight. (Romans 12:14-16)

Saturday May 30

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God,
for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."  (Romans 12:17-19)

In these days of tension, how can you manage your emotions in a healthy way?
What are ways you deal with emotions?
Here are a few good choices to think about: exercising, journaling, laughing, crying, deep breathing, being still. 

I challenge you to...Hold fast to what is good.
Live in harmony with one another. So far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 

Covid-19 Challenge. 

Exercise often. 

Experience nature every day. 

Interact with others in outside settings whenever possible. 

Wear masks inside in public places. 

Wash your hands. 

Be thankful.  

Spread kindness and laughter.

Keep your eyes on God.  

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Courage Through the Covid-19 Storm: Joy

Tips for THRIVING

Tip #11 Identify JOYS

Listen to this blogpost on Anchor https://anchor.fm/karen-sue-murdy/episodes/Courage-Through-the-Covid-19-Storm-JOY-eeku2n
and Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/0KCDmPMIx15EZBESkT4L2G

Starting in late February and continuing to really ramp up in March and April, it seemed like all conversations with my Dr. Husband focused on Covid-19. After a while it became a bit depressing and exhausting. I definitely needed some new conversation topics. 

When Deb Burma, https://debburma.com/ on a FB Live event, posed a JOY challenge, I took it: Using the letters of your name, identify joys in your life. I challenge you to do the same!

As my husband and I went for a beautiful sunset walk later that evening, we each used the letters from our names to identify joys in our life. We had an uplifting time as we laughed and discussed the joys in our life. 

This is where we often walk in the evening, one block from our home:



Here are my JOYS:

K-kindness & kisses (chocolate & otherwise)
A-adventures (traveling, etc especially to beach & Lake Powell)
R-red...red flowers, red convertible, red birds (baby cardinals this week!!!) etc.
E-exercise
N-neighbors & noon day sunshine

S-sons & sisters
U-mUsic & mUsicals
E-encouraging & encouragement

M-motherhood, mentoring, mentees
U-understanding (from others as they forgive me & as I learn new things)
R-Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
D-David (hubby) & daughters-in-law
Y-Yahweh God!!

As I think about these joys, I realize that all of these are blessings from God. Around 400 BC, Nehemiah declared "The joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10b) Now many years later, these words still ring true for our lives and especially during this Covid-19 craziness, the joy of Lord is truly my strength! 

I hope this list of my joys helps you get started with yours. Please share your joys with others! (Feel free to post them below.) 

Write them down in a journal to remember and to remind yourself of the joys in your life.  

As Deb writes in her FB post, "With God's help, you can step off that struggle bus as you engage in something that gives you JOY-that helps you see the JOY that's already yours!" 

Covid-19 Challenge
Shutting down during Covid-19 was hard, but opening up is just as hard or harder. We all need to be kind, respectful, and understanding.  
I encourage you to continue being active several minutes every hour and spending some time outside in nature every day. 
To help everyone stay healthy and keep the economy moving:
1. Hand washing.
2. Physical distancing  (6 feet) from people not in your household.
3. Mask wearing if you are inside at public places. 
4. Staying home if you are sick.

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Courage Through The Covid-19 Storm: Apologizing

Tips for THRIVING

Tip #10 Identify your apology language and the apology language of your loved ones. Apologize. 

Listen to this blog post on Anchor https://anchor.fm/karen-sue-murdy/episodes/Courage-Through-the-Covid-19-Storm-Apologizing-ee9vuq
and Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/5l3VsFkWD6NNAlyuLvayDx 

It was the arsenic hour...The time when everyone is a little bit tired and a lot hungry, when the the unplanned interruptions of the day leaves the list of to-dos still lingering. I was not kind. As I was preparing supper, I was questioning whether the grill's gas tank had been left on. Loudly questioning....condemning my son. Very loudly. My son calmly asked, "Mom, if you are going to yell at me, can we please go inside so the neighbors don't have to listen?" I continued my rant in my whispering voice. All of the sudden the words of Paul came to my mind. "Let your reasonableness be known to everyone." Philippians 4:5a Reasonableness? Yikes. I realized, I messed up. I definitely was not letting my reasonableness be known to my son. 

As I thought about this scenario later, I realized I needed to apologize to my son. A few years ago, we came across the idea of apology languages. I wish I had known about apology languages when I was first married and also when I started parenting. It would have been so helpful for repairing relationship wounds.  

Gary Chapman and Jennifer Thomas lay out the apology languages in their book called "The Five Languages of Apology-How to Experience Healing in All Your Relationships." 
The five languages of apology:
1. Expressing regret-"I am sorry."
2. Accepting responsibility-"I was wrong."
3. Making restitution-"What can I do to make it right?"
4. Genuinely repenting-"I'll try not to do that again."
5. Requesting forgiveness-"Will you please forgive me?"

When I read the apology languages, a light bulb went on for me. At that time, my husband and I had been married for over 20 years. But our lack of understanding and differences in apology languages definitely caused some potentially avoidable problems. 

Living in close quarters like many of us have been in Covid-19 craziness, presents many opportunities for apologizing. What is your apology language? What is the apology language of those closest to you? I hope you learn about to identify and use the apology languages of your loved ones.  


Are we getting a bit of summer time reprieve from the coronavirus? Hopefully! But exercise and time in nature are always good ideas. And Covid-19 has not disappeared...If everyone does their part, we can help get the economy open and keep it open. 

Covid-19 Challenge: Set a timer for 60 minutes and when it rings, gather everyone in your household to take a one minute walk outside and around a tree or two, each person sharing something for which s/he is thankful.  REPEAT. 

(If you are alone, do the same, but text someone what you are thankful for when you come back inside.)

Wash your hands. Try to stay 6 feet apart from those not living in your household. Gather outside instead of inside if you can.  Wear a mask and do NOT touch your face when you are out of your home (like going to the grocery store). Although this has some controversy, for now I am going to wear a mask when I am inside public places because I believe there is evidence to support this helps keep each person's germs away from others to help prevent the spread of disease which in turn will help keep our economy open. 

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UP NEXT TIME: Time Capsule

Courage Through the Covid-19 Storm: Interruption for Grieving

I interrupt "Courage Through the Covid-19 Storm" for grieving. 

Listen to this blogpost on Anchor https://anchor.fm/karen-sue-murdy/episodes/Courage-Through-the-Covid-19-Storm-Interruption-for-Grieving-edvptv
and Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/7hKa1KySNQKqVALAUWUiGp

All of a sudden I realized that it is not about the graduation ceremonies and celebrations, or lack there of, but it is the pure raw emotion and realization that my son is two weeks away from graduating from high school. My youngest son. My fourth of four boys. An era of my life is about to end! One that has been so long and so short. One that has been so sad and so happy. One that has been so tiring and so exhilarating. 

As the waves of grief wash over me I know that I have to stop and just embrace and experience this sadness.  Life's journey has taught me that I cannot avoid the grief. Sooner or later you have to walk through the pain of grief. So now is a moment when I am pausing to grieve, to remember, to celebrate, to release the past. Before I step into a new stage of life. 

Birth and graduation has had interesting bookends for the 2020 high school graduates. Birth was the time of 9/11. And now graduation is the time of crazy Covid-19. 

From the time my son was six weeks old until he was 16 weeks old, we lived at my mom's home as she died from cancer. My son was held, rocked, smiled at, and played with by extended family and friends, from sunrise to sunset every day for 10 weeks. He was nurtured and loved by a house full of people. And he smiled back and comforted everyone with his presence of new life, even as my beloved momma headed to her death. As we headed back to our home in WI, friends gathered around to continue to support and uphold us. And my son's three big brothers continued to delight in rocking, smiling at, and playing with their young brother. 

Yesterday as we took a beautiful May walk, we talked through memory lane. From the teachers and friends at St. Paul's Lutheran Church and School, and then Classical Conversations and our homeschooling friends and adventures, on to Parker High School as he followed in his brothers' footsteps briefly, and finally culminating with our move to Texas and our incredible experiences at Concordia High School. So many special people along the path to support and cheer us, to laugh and to cry with us.

Prayers galore. If you are raising kids, prayer=survival. Along the way, I have been blessed with prayer warriors-friends and family members- who lifted my children in prayer. For many years I was part of Moms in Prayer, a group that met regularly to pray. When my boys were in middle and high school, multiple times I would literally lay face down on my bedroom floor, crying and pouring out my prayers to God for guidance and intercession on behalf of my boys. Throughout the years St. Paul's words have been in the forefront of my mind. "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Some things will definitely change...The presence of school boys working on home work, the drop off to practices, the day to day meal planning for boy-sized appetites, etc are ending. But some things will never change...my joy, my love, my prayers for my boys.

This picture hung in my house for many years:

The time has come. Graduation from high school for my youngest. 

For babies grow up we've learned to our sorrow. So quiet down Covid-19...my baby is graduating and babies don't keep. 

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UP NEXT TIME: Apologizing
   



  

Courage Through the Covid-19 Storm: Kindness

Tips for THRIVING

Tip # 9 Be kind. 
Listen to this blogpost on Anchor https://anchor.fm/karen-sue-murdy/episodes/Courage-Through-the-Covid-19-Storm-Kindness-edm1fm
and Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/3sL94yxETtLQdUbxPt8MKf

One thing I really love about Covid-19 is kindness. Everywhere I turn I see acts of kindness. I am so happy to see the words of the Apostle Paul being lived out during this pandemic. "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts and kindness." Colossians 3:12a

*From the beginning, there was a camaraderie in finding grocery items. As a neighbor walked by my house, she heard me telling someone that I needed milk. She told me she had extra from Costco and within minutes she dropped a carton of milk on my porch.  A friend texted (after reading the blogpost about my minipanic with lack of Jif-read about that here 
https://karensuemurdy.blogspot.com/2020/04/courage-through-covid-19-storm-do-not.html), "I'm at the grocery store and they have Jif; do you want me to buy some for you?" Amongst my neighborhood, groceries have been passed around to those who need it. Out of toilet paper? Someone will drop some off on your porch! Need lemons? Someone will drop some off on your porch! Want some yeast? Someone will drop it off on your porch! Longing for ice cream? (That would be me!) Someone will drop it off on your porch!

*Birthday parades mark these pandemic milestones. Car decorations, honking and hollering, and general merry-making have brought joy during "social-distancing". My son-who declared he couldn't turn 18 since the state was shut down-thoroughly enjoyed his lively  drive-by birthday parade by his kind friends who designed signs and creatively decorated their cars. My favorite was the Dr. Pepper cans tied on and jangling behind a car.

*Fences have become billboards of encouragement. "Be the rainbow in someone else's life" is chalked in bright colors on the fence down the street. Cheers for health care workers and other positive messages of kindness and inspiration are posted on fences around town.

*Sidewalks have also become places for encouraging words. As I walk through the neighborhood, many smiles and words of encouragement are etched on the sidewalks. On my son's birthday, his friends delighted us with birthday greetings on the driveway, street, and sidewalk by our house.




*I love the surprises. The day before Easter, we were egged, with 12 Easter eggs full of yummy candy and this sign taped to our door "You've been egged. There are 12 eggs hidden in your yard. Don't be discouraged when you find the empty egg. It is simply a reminder of Jesus' empty tomb-for He is risen." On my son's birthday, "Happy Birthday" signs were left in our yard by a mysterious person. A May Day basket filled with flowers and candies was hung on our front door.

*Perhaps one of my favorite kindness stories, comes from Trader Joe's in Ann Arbor, MI. For years, my sister has shopped at Trader Joe's and has developed an affinity to almond butter chocolate cups. Because she is high risk, she has not been leaving her house, except to go for some fresh air walks. I called Trader Joe's. After discussing my sister's situation, and even though this location does not do curbside, they were willing to do a curbside delivery and they donated the eight tubs of chocolate cups to her. WOW.  Even as I write this, their kindness brings tears to my eyes.

*And maybe kindness is wearing a mask when you are out in public places, particularly indoors! Even if you do not want to, it might be what we need to get the economy up and running, to keep people employed, and to protect the vulnerable in our community.

Kudos to everyone who is showing kindness in this Covid-19 craziness! Share your kindness stories to encourage others. How can you show kindness to someone? It might be to show kindness to someone in your own household... playing yet another game with your children. It might be to show kindness to someone living alone...making a phone call, armed with a listening ear and with a joke or funny store to make someone laugh. It might be to show kindness to your neighbors or friends...preparing yourself with chalk or birthday signs or needed groceries.

Covid-19 Challenge: Set a timer for 60 minutes and when it rings, gather everyone in your household to take a one minute walk outside and around a tree or two, each person sharing something for which s/he is thankful now. REPEAT. 

(If you are alone, do the same, but text someone what you are thankful for when you come back inside.)

Wash your hands. Wear a mask and do NOT touch your face-especially when you are out of your home (like going to the grocery store). Try to stay 6 feet apart from those not living in your household. 

Please "follow me" so you will be notified of when the next blog post is available. 
UP NEXT TIME: Apologizing

"Courage Through the Covid-19 Storm": Humor

Tips for THRIVING

Tip #8 Laugh-the More, the Better
Listen to this blogpost on Anchor https://anchor.fm/karen-sue-murdy/episodes/Courage-Through-the-Covid-19-Storm-Humor-edcq45https://anchor.fm/karen-sue-murdy/episodes/Courage-Through-the-Covid-19-Storm-Humor-edcq45
or on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/0tAib0AVYGn7i4CVofQFo1

"I have reduced my toilet paper consumption by 25%", declared my friend.  "How do you know that?" I asked with amazement. She went onto explain how she decreased from four squares to three squares. Her son thought that was excessive, since he used two squares!
Just the week before, my son had informed us that "hurricane rations" of TP was six squares. Let me just say I'm a middle-ager and until now, I have never ever counted toilet paper squares! (And to be clear, I do love numbers and have a history of counting things...just never before toilet paper squares. Here is proof of my counting things .http://karensuemurdy.blogspot.com/2017/01/clutter-free-delights.html and by the way it ended up being over 8000 things that I cleared out!)

One of my favorite benefits of this pandemic is the laughter. Everywhere I turn-which of course with stay in place orders has been somewhat limited-I find humor. Facebook. Texts from family and friends. Netflix. And do you know things that are humorous are often even funnier when they are bigger? Everything in Texas IS BIGGER and for Christmas, my husband bought us an Apple TV which I pretty much never used, until pandemic lock down.  Now every night the three of us gather.  At supper my son always says, "Let's watch something funny tonight." That starts the ball rolling and we all share the funnies of the day on the "big screen" thanks to Apple TV. Full disclosure-our TV is a whomping big 54" screen. Laughter has many benefits: decreasing anxiety and depression (we all need that in Covid-19 craziness), releasing endorphins, creating a positive emotional environment, reducing pain, improving job performance, reducing blood sugar, etc. Read more about laughter here https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456

One of my long time friends, Jean Reinbold has the spiritual gift of laughter. If you are in the room with Jean, her very contagious laugh and funny stories will soon have you rolling with laughter, too. As a social worker now, I'm sure Jean is such a blessing to all her clients.She takes Proverbs 15:13 seriously: "A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken."  
Here is a picture of us along with our other cheerleader friends in 8th grade:

But I digress.  Back to toilet paper. On February 26, my husband sent me a CDC update re: community spread of Covid-19. "Disruption to everyday life may be severe," warned Dr. Nancy Messonnier, the director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. She mentioned that depending on each situation, schools may need to close or implement virtual learning. Businesses should be prepare with telework options. Mass gatherings may need to be closed." My husband (knowing I'm more of a day to day grocery shopper gal since H-E-B is practically next door) told me to go buy groceries and toilet paper. I did as he said, although definitely doubting the need. I made a Sam's Club run. One package of TP with 32 JUMBO+ sized rolls 271 sheets/roll! At the time I thought it was a bit silly. Well y'all know the rest of the story. Why in the world didn't I snag a second package of toilet paper?? I could have run it to my sister who has been on the toilet paper hunt. (Some of you may know how that goes. First you start looking for your favorite brand; then you are happy to settle for any decent brand; finally, you just want any toilet paper!)

A facebook post summed up my past 50 something years of toilet paper usage (including camping trips for two weeks at Lake Powell on a houseboat in the middle of nowhere): "I used to spin that toilet paper like I was on Wheel of Fortune." That was definitely me until March 20, 2020.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. I really needed to know how long that 32 JUMBO+sized rolls were going to last. I insisted that everyone in our house use the same bathroom so I could determine how many days one roll of toilet paper actually would last. I'm happy to report that since I have reduced my usage to four squares (I'm just not as good as my friend down to her three squares) and I am living with two males (one husband, one son-please don't start any false rumors) who do not use that much toilet paper apparently, one roll lasts for quite a bit longer than I thought. I've heard on Next Door post it is getting easier to buy toilet paper now. I need to go snag some more quick before the second wave of Covid-19.

Covid-19 Challenge: Set a timer for 60 minutes and when it rings, gather everyone in your household to take a one minute walk outside and around a tree or two, each person sharing something for which s/he is thankful now. REPEAT. 

(If you are alone, do the same, but text someone what you are thankful for when you come back inside.)

Wash your hands. Wear a mask and do NOT touch your face-especially when you are out of your home (like going to the grocery store). Try to stay 6 feet apart from those not living in your household. 

Please "follow me" so you will be notified of when the next blog post is available. 
UP NEXT TIME: Kindness

Courage Through the Covid-19 Storm: Expectations

Tips for THRIVING

Tip # 7 Realistic Expectations
Listen to this blogpost on Anchor https://anchor.fm/karen-sue-murdy/episodes/Courage-Through-the-Covid-19-Storm-Expectations-ed3jhv
or on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/1szHYfveK8E3x4PlEpidj1


Have you ever thought about how childbirth and Covid-19 are similar? As I was thinking about how I was feeling about this Covid-19 craziness, it reminded me of being in labor.

When you are in the midst of this you do not know how long it is going to last.

You have moments of intensity (contraction/trying to get groceries) followed by moments of almost normal feeling.

You know that at the end, you are going to have great joy, but also adjustment to a new lifestyle.

You really just want it to be over with NOW.

Your experience may be similar, but not exactly the same as anyone else's experience.

You just do not know what lies ahead in the immediate future.

Everything can go south very rapidly. But there are medical professionals around with expertise and equipment to help.


A couple of helpful hints I learned for labor, may be helpful in Covid-19 craziness:

1. Slow deep breathing is always good. Breath in through your nose, hold for a few seconds, breath slowly out through pursed lips. Repeat.

2. Just focus on getting through this moment.

3. Realistic expectations.

With each of my four boys, my pregnancies and labors were different. Sometimes my expectations, based on previous experiences, caused frustration. Since #1 and #2 sons arrived early- about 3 weeks early-I expected each of my babies to arrive three weeks early. You can imagine the frustration I felt as the days ticked past that 37 week mark for my next babies. Was this baby ever going to be born? In October, when #3 son was due, my pregnant brain began to seriously think I was going to still be pregnant at Christmas. As I put on a maternity dress on October 25, about 3 days before he was born, I thought to myself, "This red dress will be perfect for my Christmas dress!"

I am working on realistic expectations while living in Covid-19 craziness. Here is my current plan.

At the end of each day I ask myself if I have

-Food?

-Clothes?

-Shelter?

-Loved ones? (even if they are not with me...maybe connecting by phone or praying for me)

-Chocolate?

-God?

If I can answer YES to all those, I consider it a GREAT day!

This will pass. It may be hard, but someday we will be "clothed with joy".

"You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12 that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent, Lord my God I will praise you forever. (Psalm 30:11-12)

Covid-19 Challenge: Set a timer for 60 minutes and when it rings, gather everyone in your household to take a one minute walk outside and around a tree or two, each person sharing something for which s/he is thankful now. REPEAT. 

(If you are alone, do the same, but text someone what you are thankful for when you come back inside.)

Wash your hands. Wear a mask and do NOT touch your face-especially when you are out of your home (like going to the grocery store). Try to stay 6 feet apart from those not living in your household. 

Please "follow me" so you will be notified of when the next blog post is available. 
UP NEXT TIME: Humor