What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Too Many Adjustments For This Old Gal

Okay, so Blogger is playing games with us and wants to change the way we do things here. I am trying it to see how it works so I will know how to complain...or adjust as necessary. I guess that is what is happening in all of life these days...we have the choice to complain, or adjust as necessary. I might as well warn you...I am struggling with the thoughts of all the "adjusts as necessary" we are having to make to adapt to the way things are right now.  

Probably my biggest adjustment will be when we finally are able to go back to church. Even though we are free to go back to church again, we really aren't free. I mean, we are free as long as we can socially distance ourselves from everyone...six feet apart in seating and standing and basically putting an invisible bubble around ourselves.  And then there's the mask...I don't even want to go there. And the offering plate...must not be passed from person to person anymore. Gotta find some "safe way" to give our tithe to God's House.  But even bigger and more difficult than that is the "no singing" policy. They (they being the "experts" on these things) say that choirs should not sing. Congregations should not sing. Singing apparently causes us to breathe out too much air and suck in too much air and it just might kill us.

Yes, I am having a difficult time thinking about all of these adjustments. I am truly having to pray really hard about this. I want to go back to church more than anything right now. But I want to go back to church the way it was. Our church was full of singing and rejoicing and praising the Lord together...and hugging...lots of hugging. Just thinking about taking all of that away is making me very sad and somewhat depressed, I might as well be honest.  Singing especially. That is one of the biggest parts of worship for me. I love to sing praises to the Lord. I've been singing since I learned how to make noise in my crib. I sang "Jesus Loves Me" from the time I could form words. I sang "Jesus Loves Me" to my babies in my womb and then when I held them in my arms for the first time and every time I could. I would still sing it to my grown up babies if they'd let me.  We sang it every Sunday morning in our worship service as the little children would line up to go out for Children's Church. 

I'm sorry. Obviously I am not adjusting to this idea very well. But let me tell you why.
Remember when Jesus was entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the Sunday before His crucifixion?  Do you remember how as He entered the city on the colt,  (see Luke 19:35-40):
"The whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying:
"Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!"  Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"
39.  And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples."
40.  But He answered and said to them, 

"I tell you that if these should keep silent, 
the stones would immediately cry out."

That's how I feel about this whole thing...especially the not singing part.  There is no way that I can sit through a whole worship service and not sing praises to my Lord. I have visions of myself jumping up from my seat and singing the Doxology from the top of my voice:

"Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!
Praise  Him all creatures here below!
Praise Him above ye heavenly host!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
Amen" 

Much like this Mockingbird was doing this afternoon, from the tip top of the tallest tree, singing his heart out:



I know, it's only an hour or so on a Sunday morning. I should be able to adjust for that amount of time. And I suppose I could if it wasn't the fact that all these adjustments totally change everything about the way we worship together. The new "rules" tend to squash our joy and peace and enthusiasm for being in God's House.  I guess if you are a person who likes to just slip in the back pew and sit there for an hour and not speak to anyone or do anything but sit there, then it won't make much difference to you. But to me worship is active participation in the service. It's singing, praying, partaking in the worship of giving our tithes and offerings, participation in the Holy Sacrament of Communion. It's greeting our friends and visitors and making them feel welcome in God's house. It's filling up the pews with our family and friends and sitting close together, squeezing a hand or putting an arm around a shoulder when you know that person is praying and hurting and needing someone to agree with them in prayer either in their seat or kneeling at the prayer altar.  It's shaking the Pastor's hand at the close of the service as we go out the door, thanking him for his message that touched our hearts and brought comfort to our souls. 

Somehow I believe that God is bigger than all of these "rules" and new "adjustments".  I know what people are thinking and saying..."She doesn't care about health and safety". "She's a rebel and we need to stay away from her because she might burst out singing and breathe on us and give us the virus."
Well, maybe I am a rebel. I'm having to pray about that, because I certainly would never want to be the cause for someone else's pain or illness.  But I don't want to be cringing in fear every time someone comes near me to welcome me. I don't want to hold in the songs that keep bubbling up out of my heart that is filled with the joy of the Lord. I don't want to be the one that makes the rocks cry out because I refused to praise my Lord.  So you might want to pray for me to be able to adapt and adjust to whatever the new rules might be, because above all else, I want to praise my Lord and worship in His house again, no matter what.

Okay, stop the presses a moment...take a deep breath! One of my friends from church emailed this quote to me today...and I just re-read it and realized I should have been doing this instead of ranting.

"Take a deep breath and let the peace of the Risen Christ fill you now."

John 20:19
"Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them,
"Peace be with you."

Prayer:
"Risen Christ,
Breathing out, I release my fear. Inhaling, I receive your peace. Your peace renews my spirit.
Hallelujah! Amen."

(Rev. Leigh Anne Taylor President, The Fellowship Revitalization Coordinator,
Lynchburg District of the Virginia Conference, Lynchburg, VA)

On a much brighter note, as we left the house this afternoon to take a ride and go for a walk after a day full of rain (praise the Lord for the rain!), just as we turned onto the highway we looked up and saw this beautiful rainbow:


And it reminded me that God is with us and has promised to always be with us. Even in the midst of this stormy time of riding the waves of this "pandemic", His promises are true. He will not forsake His children. The rainbow is God's symbol of hope and promise. We will get through this time.
I need to be patient and trust Him with all of these concerns and "adjustments". He knows my heart, and He will help me.

"Just take a deep breath and let the peace of the Risen Christ fill you now."
Amen.


Now,  concerning the changes in Blogger, I've been using the changed interface to write this post. I am not real happy with the way it handles the pictures especially, and some of the other formatting issues. I know they are going to try to force us to change over, but I did see where the original format will still be available. I don't know for how long, but my first choice would be to stick with the original if possible. But I guess I will have to pray about this too!!! You know, it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks! LOL.

I hope you will have a blessed and beautiful week. I apologize for being negative. But these are issues I am trying to work through, and perhaps you are too. Let's pray for one another, okay? Okay.

28 comments:

  1. These are trying times, but as a friend of mine said recently, none of this comes as any surprise to God. He is still on the Throne and still loves us, in all of this.

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    1. Yes, He does. He sees it all and He understands our hearts and minds and hears the cries of our souls. He will get us through this, I know He will. I'm just being honest and human and working through my frustrations. But I will be fine and God will be glorified.

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  2. Hi my friend. First off, I really like the refreshing new look of the blog page. Don't know if what I see are the changes that you struggle with, but it looks great. I do hate it when a platform changes stuff when all you want to do is write your heart and not fuss with silly technical issues! It is distracting and frustrating.

    As you know I have not been in normal church services consistently since moving here 5 years ago. Seems strange I suppose after years of ministry but that;s how it is for me now. So I was missing the singing, hugging, crying, loving one another a long time ago. I have learned to sing at home and try to bless others with the written word (when I feel like I have something worth sharing.). You do both of those already I'm sure. I can easily imagine you singing robustly at home and clearly you know how to bless us with your written word!
    I love you Lady, keep it up!

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    1. I understand your struggles with church, etc., having kind of watched from the sidelines through your old blog (which I miss!), but also in seeing the new life God has given you where you are now, which seems to be rich and full with all the joys of youthful exuberance burgeoning around you! For me, one of the main reasons we moved to this new home is because of our church that we fell in love with. It has been such a blessing to us, and now we are missing it and our church family so much. Thankfully little by little we are able to connect with friends a few at a time, but that still isn't quite the same and worshiping together. I will be fine and God will get us through this time I am certain. But being human, I am honest about how I am feeling about these changes and trying to adapt as we go along. I know it will be fine in time. Just praying our way through... Thank you for your sweet words of encouragement and comfort. I do sing mostly outside when I walk around and see the beautiful world that God has created for us to enjoy. "How Great Thou Art" comes to mind frequently! Along with many others... Have a blessed and beautiful day my friend. Enjoy those little kids who call you Grandma, (or whatever name they have for you!) They sure look like a lot of fun!!!

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  3. Great post, Pam. I agree 100%...God already has it all figured out and He understands our frustrations. And about that blogger thing... I hadn’t been on my computer for weeks and wondered what in the world happened to my blog! I see now that at the end of June we will be forced to use the new version. I have been trying to get a post written for the past few days... I also am using the old version until I no longer am able to!

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    1. Thank you, Debby. You are very much on my heart and mind these days. Praying for your comfort and healing. Please try to keep us updated as you are able, as we do care and want to know how you are doing. Regarding Blogger, I finally had to revert to the old version last night just to get this posted and to add labels. It was very frustrating and I wrote them and told them about it. I hope they can fix the glitches before it becomes mandatory. Been praying for you and about your new home. Are you still going forward with it? I know your plate is pretty full right now. May God give you strength for each new day.

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  4. I understand what you are saying about church services, and how the music, the joyful singing, the hugs and smiles, will be missing for a while. My hope and belief is that this too shall pass and that soon we can come together as we did before this crisis. In California I read the law and it says we can have no more than 100 people in worship, even in a huge building like ours. I am concerned about the government sticking its oar in on worship, I understand the reasons though, and hope the rules will improve and indeed the need for them will disappear soon.

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    1. Thank you Terra. Our little church sanctuary can only hold about 80-100 people, packed in tightly. There is no room for 'social distancing", which means many will have to stay home and we will have to have multiple services someway. I also understand the reasons, but pray this is only temporary. I know God will give me the grace and strength to do my part. I'm just being honest with how I feel about it from a human standpoint.

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  5. I hear you Pam and I agree it is difficult to make adjustments. On the other hand I think of the many saints, some who have gone home to glory who could not worship freely and meet in large groups and sing their hearts out. They had to find a way to continue to worship the Lord. God will understand our circumstances as we learn to lean on him in these challenging times. Hugs xx

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    1. Thank you, Penny, for putting this into a good perspective. Yes, there are many even today, around the world, who must worship in secret, underground, literally, for fear of government reprisal and even death. And yet, they do not let that stop them from worshiping our Lord and God. I pray that it never comes to that in our country. Our Constitution provides for that freedom of worship. And yes, we as strong believers will always find a way to continue to worship the Lord in one place or another. It doesn't have to be in a church building. Wherever two or more are gathered in Christ's Name, He is there in our midst. So I can praise God for that blessing and promise as well.

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  6. Our church has decided to delay opening for now. 100,000 have died in three months in this country. We all must adjust...the rules the governments are making are to try to save lives. I know that eventually we will have a cure and/or a vaccine, etc., and for now we do as we must. It is not easy on anyone...prayers for you and all...

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    1. Our church has also decided to delay opening at least until late June. I realize that the whole reason for the rules is to save lives. I am well aware of that and pray for those who have been affected personally in that they've either been sick or have lost loved ones as a result of this. And yes, I will do my part and worship the Lord in faith and courage and trust whenever we are able to congregate once again. However, being human, I am dealing with these issues of change that cause a sense of sadness for what we are having to give up in the process. I am being honest in sharing what I believe is probably in the hearts and minds of many. But we will get through this together, with God helping us each step of the way.

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  7. You're not being negative, Pamela, but honest. These are issues I've also been troubled by, as I think many of us who attend church have, too. But you are so right that we need to trust God for everything, knowing He will show us the way through and to His presence in our houses of worship.
    As for the blogger thing, I sure hope I don't have to switch, but I guess I'll adapt one way or the other - lol!
    Blessings, my friend, and thanks for sharing this lovely rainbow with us, too!

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    1. Thank you, Martha. I know you have been troubled by this whole issue as well, especially when it comes to being with your dear family. I know when the day comes and our church doors open up, I will be there, ready to do my part to worship within the framework of whatever limitations there may be. And I will lift up my heart and sing, even if I have to do it silently. The blogger changes have some glitches I found out last night. I wrote them and told them. I hope they listen! Now, let us live in the beauty of God's rainbows of promise and hope!

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  8. "Well, maybe I am a rebel. I'm having to pray about that, because I certainly would never want to be the cause for someone else's pain or illness. But I don't want to be cringing in fear every time someone comes near me to welcome me. I don't want to hold in the songs that keep bubbling up out of my heart that is filled with the joy of the Lord. I don't want to be the one that makes the rocks cry out because I refused to praise my Lord. So you might want to pray for me to be able to adapt and adjust to whatever the new rules might be, because above all else, I want to praise my Lord and worship in His house again, no matter what."

    ---that my friend is the honest truth that has been in my heart all this time. I was telling someone yesterday that I am struggling, bigly. Struggling because I am being stifled, I don't like that feeling. I dont like being or feeling like I am struggling to breath, if that makes any sense. I don't like being boxed in so to speak. So many clichés...thank you Pamela for keeping it real.

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    1. I know Linda. I've seen your struggle and I've been praying with you and for you. We are all struggling to a certain extent, even those who don't want to admit it. But prayer is the key at this point...praying for wisdom, strength, and courage to do the right thing that is for the greater good of all, regardless of my own personal feelings. I know we will get through this in time, and yes, we need to be cognizant of those who are truly struggling because this virus has touched them in a real and personal way. Letting off a little steam here is good to keep from exploding. Now I can move on and be who God needs me to be.

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  9. Our church is on FB and You Tube and right now I am watching each and every service. I dont feel it is the right time for ME (not others) to go back to worshiping in the bldg. I miss the people, the music and Sunday School, but I am still praising God for keeping me well.

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    1. And that is wonderful, Linda, that you are able to do this. We also are having church services on video, and I deeply appreciate the work that our Pastor puts into preparing that each week. He had to learn a few new "tricks" too to do this for our people to be able to worship during this time. He is planning to continue even after we do go back to church so that those who are not feeling ready to attend in person will still be able to participate. So, yes, some things are good about this, and I am thankful for the technology that makes it possible. God bless you and may He keep you well, indeed!!

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  10. So very true. I just can't seem to 'go with the flow' on all these new rules. Basically....I hate them. I don't know if I believe it's all necessary. One thing for sure, the one true God has not changed and in Him I find peace.

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    1. I hear you, Mary. Yes, you are correct. "One thing for sure, the one True God has not changed and in Him I find peace." Amen!! Praise God for that blessing and truth. Thank you for sharing it with us today. That gives me an added sense of peace.

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  11. They are trying times. We’re opening back up on June 7th. As far as I know we will still sing, but we will be doing all the other precautions. Thank you for being open about your struggles as it helps me to read what you’re saying and deal with my own feelings. Praying for peace for you.

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    1. I will be praying for you and your church as you reopen on June 7th. How wonderful for you! We are not sure yet when we will reopen, but it will be late June at least. Praying it won't be much longer than that, even with the restrictions. I will participate regardless because it means too much to me not to go. Sometimes we just have to let off some steam so we don't explode! LOL.

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  12. Oh I forgot. I too am trying out the new Blogger. So far no real big problems, but I just started trying it last night. Time will tell.

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    1. I had difficulty trying to put any labels on my post and also I didn't like the way it uploaded pictures. There were other not so "user friendly" issues. I couldn't see the benefit of the changes, but I guess they say it will be easier for those using phones, etc. Time will tell. I hope they can work the bugs out before it goes live.

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  13. I am so with you and your thinking, Pam. Both on getting back to church AND the changes with Blogger. This is the third platform I've used to blog and I sure don't want to change again. I tried it when it was first announced and went right back to "normal". Hoping we can just keep it the old way. Peace be with you, my friend. It will all work out. God is in control.

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    1. I am glad that we are in agreement on all of the above. And yes, most of all, that God IS in control! He will work it all out. We just have to be patient and trust Him. I guess what I am discovering is that the older I get the less I like change of any kind. But with God's help, we can do anything. One step at a time. Thank you!

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    2. Pam: I miss the songs of the church. Last night at a drive-in memorial service (most everyone stayed in their cars)held by the next door neighbor, a nursing home which has been our county's hot spot for COVID,(the employees all wore masks) they played a tape of Amazing Grace. I almost was in tears.

      With our congregation consisting of people who are mostly retired or have health issues, I want to be cautious about the church opening again.

      About Blogger, I tried the new format and switched back to the traditional one. I could not find all the features I was used to. They asked me why I chose to go back and I told them.

      As it is with everything, God is in control. Peace and blessings

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  14. Pam, I feel hear your heart. I'm struggling in some of the same ways. While my church resumed meeting the first Sunday in May, it was still hard maintaining that distance. We did sing hymns--there are too many HEALTHY benefits from singing to not sing. This is a hard, trying time, yet we can have such peace and protection in the Lord.

    Love and blessings!

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