Tag: isolation

What the World Needs Now

April 15, 2020

HOPE. Lava bringing life

Life will never look exactly the same again. This season in our world has been one of:

  • fear
  • uncertainty
  • questions
  • opinions
  • contradictions
  • frustrations
  • accusations
  • loss
  • grief
  • weariness
  • isolation
  • and excitement.

Wait.

What was that last word? Excitement? How can anyone be excited in this season?

Because in the midst of all this, God’s plans can’t be stopped. He’s not surprised by this. He knew it was coming. His plans are always for us. For a hope and a good future.

Things may not look like we expected or planned. There may be shifts in our lives from certain activities to spending time with our kids; from the job we hated every day to a new opportunity we love; from comparison to companionship. We may be weary or grieving a loss.

But God offers us hope.

This is my prayer for you:

May the God of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  Romans 15:13

When we trust God, he fills us with hope, joy, and peace. That’s why I’m excited about what’s to come. In Jesus, there is hope, healing, comfort and a sense of peace no matter how things look.

Today, may you have a little of what the world needs right now. HOPE.

Isolation or Hibernation?

April 7, 2020

Isolate – to set or place apart; detach or separate so as to be alone.

Me at my desk

We may have to be isolated, but we don’t have to think of it as isolation. With technology, we can still connect with friends and family. We aren’t alone. When we go take walks or a drive in our 1991 Mazda Miata convertible, we see other people out and about. Even if we remain six feet apart, we are not detached DSC_0091completely from civilization.

What if we chose to think of our time as hibernation instead?

Hibernate – to withdraw or be in seclusion; retire.

animal animal world close up cute
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

During hibernation, animals spend a season in resting, preparing, and slowing down. Their heart rate lowers, they eat less, and they are less active. Their bodies are preparing for the coming season of activity.

How does that relate to us?

What if we’re intentional about using this time to rest, slow down, focus on what matters most and prepare ourselves for a new season of activity?

Suddenly, we’ve been granted the blessing of more time with our family. Outside activities have come to a standstill. We have time to rest and reset our priorities.

DSC_0016

cropped-20170720_195840.jpgAnd I believe we’ve been called by God to turn our eyes to him. Seek his face. He longs for a personal, spend-time-with-me relationship with us. Jesus gave his life so we could have life. Forever with him. Whether that eternity comes now or ten years from now, the time in between is still full of hope, life, joy, peace and loving kindness with him. All characteristics we need at a time like this.

So maybe we simply need to embrace a different definition of this season. Spring always comes after winter. New strategies will arise through the creativity God placed in us. Life will continue, even in sorrow and loss. Let’s turn our hearts to the one who loves us best and most and find comfort, hope and peace in his arms.

Is It Too Soon?

April 2, 2020

I love that everyone is connecting so much on social media, through webinars, and email. We were created for community. After all, when God created us, he said “Let us make man in our image.”  He was God in three persons: God the Father, Jesus God’s Son, and the Holy Spirit so why wouldn’t he/they make us to crave community?

Neighbors I’ve never seen are suddenly hanging out in their driveways or garages, waving and calling out to each other.

Isolation has caused us to be more connected than ever. Go figure.

But I have to say that my inbox has never been so full, and I simply don’t have time to read all the fabulous content out there. While others may be off work and find themselves with time for art projects, puzzle making, and trying new recipes, I work from home, writing, blogging and running a financial education business with my husband. That means we’re still working as we always do.

So if you’re like me, business as usual, I understand if you don’t have time to read another post since I just posted yesterday.

BUT…

I had to do it. I’m excited that my new book, A Deadly Silence, is already available for pre-order onA Deadly Silence by [Bennet, Laura] Amazon! I know I said yesterday that it would be available soon, but I didn’t expect the next day soon. The print version is still processing, but the digital version can be set to hit your Kindle reader by April 15th! (The paperback might be ready then too.)

I simply had to put the word out for those of you who have been asking me for it.

It’s here! And you can get it HERE.

Here’s the skinny…

Sara Maree Matley didn’t expect the contents of a moving box to blow apart her world. And when did her husband become her worst enemy? Her ideal family life hangs on the edge of destruction, and her silence is a deadly accomplice that could push them over the brink. In order to survive, Sara must find her voice and make the hardest choice she’s ever faced.

So while your connecting in isolation, waiting for this virus to vanish, you have something to look forward to.