Is It Safe To Come Out Yet?

Is it safe to come out yet?

 This Tufted Titmouse has taken up residence in the birdhouse that was originally intended for bluebirds, but they never came back to move in.

The Bluebird when he was just visiting with Bobby the Squirrel earlier this spring.

 And then the Chickadee started to set up housekeeping in there, but apparently they decided to go elsewhere too.

One day I peeked inside and saw this lizard in there, and I closed it back up real quick. He's a funny looking bird.

And so I was happy to see this Tufted Titmouse poke his head out the other day. I hope she's going to actually stick with it and maybe  we will finally see some baby birds around here.  Sometimes I think they are just all "playing house" and aren't really serious about staying.  Time will tell.

Other activity in the bird kingdom beside Still Waters Pond...This Blue Jay was scolding this Hawk. They were making quite a racket, and then they flew away. Apparently the hawk was getting too close to the Blue Jay's nest or baby birds...

I guess we are all asking if it is "safe to come out yet?"  I've spoken with several different people, and depending upon their age and location, their opinions are varied.  Some refuse to leave the house without a mask...and others do not feel that a mask is really protecting them or anyone else and could even cause some harm to the wearer. I personally think it is a decision that each person must make for themselves, depending upon their own comfort level and health factors.  I do not believe that people should be forced to wear a mask, nor should they be ridiculed if they don't. Likewise, those who do not wear a mask should also be respectful of those who do wear a mask. There are so many conflicting opinions on this subject even among the medical community that I don't think anyone really has a totally correct answer.  So therefore, at this point in time, and depending upon where you live and other factors involved, each person needs to decide for themselves and do what you are most comfortable doing. 

I know that some people are still not comfortable going out to eat in restaurants or being in other public places.  And again, that is something that each person must decide for themselves. If you are not comfortable...please don't go! But on the other hand, for those who are ready to get out and enjoy some good food and fellowship with some friends, by all means go! Yes, we need to be respectful of those around us and maintain a safe "social distance", but again, I think we need to be realistic and realize that at some point in time we have to be ready and willing to embrace life again, and walk in faith and not by fear.

For those who truly need to get back to work, I pray that you are able to do so freely. There are some who have lost businesses or are in danger of losing their business, and they really need to get back and try to bring it back if they are able. Praying it's not already too late for them.  Others may not have a job to go back to and don't have any other source of income. and the government stimulus check has run out long ago. People have children to feed, mortgages/rent to pay, car payments, other bills that are pressing...and not all lenders are able to be that forgiving for very long. They also  have overhead bills to pay.  My heart goes out to these people, and I pray they are able to recapture what they've lost.

Most of all, we know that there are many who have been touched by this pandemic in a deeply sorrowful way. I know of those who have lost loved ones, others who have been sick but have recovered thankfully,  and/or there are those who have been working non-stop on the front lines, rescuing the perishing, caring for the dying. They've put their own lives at risk to save those who can't help themselves. Their lives have been painful, heart-breaking, exhausting. To them, our need to "get out and go somewhere" is the last thing on their minds.  We need to be respectful and sympathetic to their grief and pain.

I guess I am writing all of these thoughts because I've been touched by each and every aspect of this crisis in one way or another. My heart goes out to those who are truly, truly hurting. I do not want my desire to be "out and about" to cause hurt to those who are caught in the crossfires of this tragedy and can't see any way out of it at this time.

Thinking about these things reminds me of a gospel song that I have loved to sing in the past.

Does Jesus Care?

"Does Jesus care when my heart is pained

Too deeply for mirth or song,

As the burdens press, and the cares distress,

And the way grows weary and long?

Chorus:

Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,

His heart is touched with my grief;

When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,

I know my Savior cares.

Does Jesus care when my way is dark

With a nameless dread and fear?

As the daylight fades into deep night shades,

Does He care enough to be near?

(chorus)

Does Jesus care when I've tried and failed

To resist some temptation strong;

When for my deep grief there is no relief,

Though my tears flow all the night long?

(chorus)

Does Jesus care when I've said "goodbye"

To the dearest on earth to me,

And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks—

Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

(Chorus)

Sung by "The Isaacs"

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: William J. Gaither / Lily Isaacs

So, to sum this up...we are each responsible to make decisions that are right for ourselves and our own family situations. I realize that some are stuck in locations where their government leaders have made life very difficult, and in many cases, unrealistically overburdening their people. Praying that God will give people in those situations the grace and patience to hang in there, hoping that things will soon get better...but again, each person needs to make choices that are right for them.

The important thing to remember is that you are not alone in your struggles. God is with you. Yes, Jesus DOES care...He sees the pain and difficulties you are going through, and He is there ready and willing to help.  We don't always understand why we are stuck in such difficult situations, but one thing I have learned in life is that when the way gets rough, God is there, and He is helping me get through.   He brings us through to rich fulfillment.

Psalm 66:10-12, 18-20

10.  "For You, O God, have tested us;

You have refined us as silver is refined.

11.  You brought us into the net;

You laid affliction on our backs.

12.  You have caused men to ride over our heads;

We went through fire and through water;

But YOU brought us out to rich fulfillment."

18.  If I regard iniquity in my heart,

The Lord will not hear.

19.  But certainly God has heard me;

He has attended to the voice of my prayer.

20.  Blessed be God,

Who has not turned away my prayer,

Nor His mercy from me!"

I have a "footnote" in my Bible by these last verses, dated 5/25/2014, "The Day Matthew died."  I read these verses in my devotional that morning, the day that our son died from cancer. That anniversary is coming up next Monday, I just realized.    Those were very hard days; much harder than anything we personally are going through right now.  But God was with us, and He heard our cries, and He gave us His love and mercy. He showed us He cared. Yes, our son died. But Jesus comforted us. We grieved, but He was touched with our grief and dried our tears. We went through "fire and through water" in our souls, but GOD brought us out to rich fulfillment.  

These times are difficult, and they have been very trying for many...perhaps someone who is reading this now.  But please know, you are not alone. Jesus does care...and He WILL see you through.  And soon we will all be able to say, "Yes, it is safe to come out now"....

Have a blessed week my friends.