The Simple Things

In the midst of the COVID 19 coronavirus pandemic, life has been turned upside down.  Illinois, as most other states, has a Shelter In Place order in effect mandating people to stay home unless they have to go out for food, medicine, medical appointments or are deemed "essential workers". There have been many restrictions placed on businesses (who can and who cannot be open) as well as individual rights. Many agree with the mandates and restrictions while others do not. Arguments abound.

My wife, Cindy, has been very compliant in regards to not going out. She has stayed in due to underlying respiratory medical issues that have been ongoing for years. The time or two she has gone out she has worn a mask for her own personal protection. I, on the other hand, look for reasons to go out and go somewhere - anywhere! I often ask if we need anything from anywhere. I am the one who does the shopping at this point in time. It gets me out of the house. I think Cindy likes for me to get out of the house so I get out of her hair for a bit. But that's another story.

We are accustomed to being on the road singing twenty times or more a month So this has been a huge change for us. Admittedly, the first week was rather enjoyable. We caught up on rest and relaxed. Now, I'm over it. I'm ready to get back to doing what we love to do and what God has called us to do. Don't get me wrong, we are still doing ministry. We have found other ways of doing ministry. We are doing a gospel sing live from our living room weekly on Thursdays via Facebook Live as well as online church on Sunday mornings on Facebook Live. I am doing a weekly podcast and weekly blog post, as well.

Due to ongoing health issues Cindy and I have, late last summer we purchased two mobility scooters. Let me tell you this was a life changing purchase. These allow us to be mobile and to get out and about without hurting our bodies. We used them a few times locally last year and even took them to the St. Louis Zoo last fall. I would never have been able to walk the zoo so these scooters were a blessing.

Earlier this week I charged the batteries, inflated the tires and got them ready for the year. We took them out and went to our son's house and visited for a bit. we took a ride around town before stopping to grab a sandwich. Then we came home.

That's a simple sounding thing but it meant so much to us. This was the first time Cindy had been out in weeks. She enjoyed it very much, as did I.

Sometimes it's the simple things that mean a lot. We have some friends we haven't seen in over two weeks due to illness. We hope to see them Sunday. It will be great to see them and fellowship with them. Of course, there will be food involved. Again, the simple things mean a lot.

I think sometimes we take the simple things in life for granted. When you find yourself under a Shelter In Place order and you don't get out and go like you are accustomed to doing, you don't see friends like you usually do, the restaurants are closed for dining in and some stores are not even open you begin to appreciate the simple things.

I encourage you not to take life for granted. Thank God every day you wake up. Don't take the little or simple things for granted either. The simple things are just as important to our quality of life as the "bigger" things.

Keep your chin up. Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

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So Much To Praise God For

We sing a song that says in part:

I am blessed, I am blessed
Everyday that I live I am blessed.
When I wake up in the morning
'Til I lay my head to rest
I am blessed, oh, I am blessed!

This has been on my heart and in my spirit the last few days. In the midst of this COVID 19 pandemic that has been declared, I am blessed!

We have had 37 singings cancelled so far since all this started last month and likely more to cancel early next month. Yet, I declare and believe I am blessed!

While I do not like this down time I have no choice but to accept it. Or shall I say make some adaptations to how we do ministry. We are not on the road singing but we are still ministering. We have just gone virtual. We host a gospel sing live from our living room every Thursday afternoon at the present time and online church every Sunday morning. We are reaching more people doing this than we were when we were on the road. When one door closes God opens up other opportunities we had not even considered. Yes, I am blessed!

With this downtime I am getting on schedule to blog once a week as well as do a podcast once a week. Two more outreaches on a more consistent basis. Yes, I am am blessed.

I have the opportunity to post what I call "Something To Ponder" as well as "Thought For The Day" brief videos on Facebook. Yes, I am blessed.

I truly do have so much to praise God for. There are so many opportunities and doors God has opened for us during this "down time".

You know what? I've even started taking naps almost every day. Yes, I truly do have so much to praise God for.

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog. If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward  a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.