I read about a woman, who had received a heart transplant from a convicted killer. Upon finding out details about his death, she began experiencing conflicting emotions. I don’t know anything more about this man, except his death brought sadness to his family. On the other hand, his sacrifice was exchanged for the joy it brought to this lady, and her family. Her life was restored.
The transplant had given her new life, but someone had to die for that to happen.
I was informed by a local hospital I had been exposed to an employee diagnosed with Covid-19, while being with a family member having tests done and I should remain in quarantine
My office asked if I planned to stay home. What an unusual question. It is a new day for all of us. We are living with coronavirus, and no cure in sight. Six months ago, no one had heard of this evil killer. By the way, I did stay quarantined.
I find it difficult to write about this subject.
It is too painful, nor do I want to cause pain to anyone, having suffered the loss of a loved one because of this horrid virus. As I write, we still have no cure, and seemingly no end in site, as it continues across our country, destroying lives.
Someone receives a new heart because someone else died. One life ends, and another begins; it is the cycle of life. CV19 attacks a family, and loved ones are lost. Both of these circumstances are bad. Where is the good?
Where, you ask, am I going with this? What am I trying to say? Keep reading, please.
Do good things come from bad things happening? Yes, they do.
I was discussing the pandemic with a sweet nurse at my doctor’s office. She began sharing about her church family. Her pastor was preaching how so many people were returning to Christ every Sunday, in these unprecedented times in unprecedented numbers. She could hardly quit talking about the acts of grace and selfless giving of their members. They were helping complete strangers. People were finding salvation in giving, not only of their monies, but of their time. Something good was coming out of something bad.
Christ doesn’t want us walking around aimlessly in life. I have learned that from scripture in my lifetime of seeking His wisdom. Proverbs is full of teachings about how to live our lives. I have read Proverbs often in moments of stress. Wisdom, knowledge, studying His word, these are His gifts to us. Somehow, I was not feeling peace. Something had frozen my soul.
I felt like a huge shock of electricity had gone through my body. I gave her an air hug as I left, thanking her for sharing her spiritual experience. Only God, that is all I could think of, only God. He must be smiling.
The answer was right in front of me. People helping people, for the glory of God. I was in tears. Sitting in my car, I cried out, precious Lord, take my hand.
Now I understood what our Lord was saying. “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me, will also do the works I do. You will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.” - John 14:12-14.
God’s gift, His only Son, Christ, was sent to save us. We can never outgive our Lord, but you know what? When we perform acts of kindness, love, and giving to those in need, expecting nothing in return, we are performing the same works Christ did for us. It gives us peace and
Comfort. Give until you can’t give, then give some more. Honor God, by living the example He gave us, His son, Jesus.
There it was. His answer. My doctor’s nurse could not wait to share about her church family. They were not allowing anything or anyone to rob them of their faith, love, and joy in Christ.
I felt I had just been to church, better yet, a good old church revival, much like the ones my granny took me to as a little girl. Singing, shouting, and hearing others’ testimonies of praise, even though they were poor, living in poverty, they didn’t know it.
How could that be? Because their eyes were focused on Christ, not man. They certainly were not poor in spirit. “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!” No clue how many times I sang this as a child. Funny how some things take us back to our childhood.
Their faith, love and commitment to our Lord, met their needs.
Is it really possible to give thanks to God in all things? That's an individual decision. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ!” I Thessalonians 5:18. Circumstances change. We must choose to honor Him in all our situations, trusting Him.
I went into my doctor’s office, feeling sorry my family could not go anywhere on vacation, and how deprived we were, being so restricted because of covid. WHY did I have to be tested for CV? It was not fun. REALLY, HAZEL LEE, REALLY? I waited in line, at a local park, in my air conditioned car, while nurses and police officers were rushing around in 95 degree heat. What were they doing? They were making sure I was tested for CV, while dressed in extra layers of protective gear.
I felt ashamed.
By the time I reached the nurse, she ran up apologizing I had to wait SO LONG!
How humbling. I thanked her for all of her kindnesses, realizing they were not working in normal conditions. I shared I would be keeping them in my prayers. Is God asking too much of us to trust Him, especially in such trying times?
The misunderstanding comes in thinking we should give thanks “for everything,” when in fact, He is leading us to, “give thanks IN everything.” Be thankful DESPITE your problems. We cannot allow our losses, disappointments or failures to keep us from being thankful to Him.
One of my favorite quotes from Mr. Rogers was, “When I was a boy, and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers,‘ ‘you will always find people who are helping.’
First responders, doctors, nurses and so many untold volunteers are demonstrating how we as a nation can pull together, unite, and survive this heinous virus, by courageously helping others. There it was again, helping others, expecting nothing in return.
My philosophy is simple. Give until you can’t give, then give some more! We are seeing this happen all over our country! What a testimony! Giving, expecting nothing in return!
Blessed Assurance! I love it. I hang on to every word from that old gospel song.
When you cast your bread upon the water, it ALWAYS comes back! Scripture tells us to have the faith of a mustard seed! - Matthew 17:20 - “Because you have such little faith, if you have the faith of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘move from here to there,’ and it will move,’ nothing will be impossible!”
“Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days.” — Ecclesiastes 11:1 _
My prayer is this pandemic ends soon. I pray we find a cure rapidly and we rid ourselves of this destructive illness.
Romans 8:31 - “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? IF GOD IS FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?” And we all said, Amen!
I hope this message will inspire you to take a moment and reflect on your life. I hope it gives you a ray of inspiring hope; in ALL things, give thanks, He is with us. Like the song, His Eye is on the Sparrow, Gospel hymn written in 1905, by Civilla Martin.
In all things, TRUST and LOVE THE lord! He has the answer! HE IS THE ANSWER!
From a close friend, I love and cherish, Thank you sweet Lucy, for this beautiful reminder
who truly is the answer to everything. You are such an inspiration!
Readers, thank you for taking the time to read my blog.
If you're interested in my other writings, my book, Sweet Tea & Jesus, is available on Amazon.
