Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
Proverbs 12:25 New International Version (NIV)
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| Pondering the Colorado River in Austin Texas |
Pandemic Days
There's so much for people to worry about these days that it's difficult to know where to start. Maybe it's best to start by not worrying. Jesus said not to worry (Matthew 6:25-34) and if you don't take any stock in what Jesus had to say then just use common sense. How are you going to make things better by worrying?
If you find yourself consumed by worry then maybe you need to take some action to take your mind off of that worry. After all, worry is essentially an act of selfishness if no action is taken to find ways to remedy that which is worrying you. Worry is wasted effort which culminates in no positive result. If all you do is worry then you aren't working towards personal wellness and your worry can become more contagious than the worst disease.
Would you rather be spreading the negative energy of worry or the positive energy of hope, concern for others, and the mindset that things will get better?
Sometimes children know best. Here's a story that my daughter Ada Z shared recently about my dear granddaughter, Grace, who is seven years old:
My daughter, Grace, had a dream the other night. She said,
“We were sitting around the campfire as a family and God came down to sit with us. He started singing a song about the world. Then he ate a marshmallow. Everything is going to be ok”
“We were sitting around the campfire as a family and God came down to sit with us. He started singing a song about the world. Then he ate a marshmallow. Everything is going to be ok”
I asked her how she knew that it was God. She said, “It was definitely God”.
The smile that she had on her face and the twinkle in her eye gave me so much hope and it has truly gotten me through the last few days.
Thank you for that sweet story, Ada, and bless the wisdom of my granddaughter, Gracie. She put into words with elegant simplicity the advice I've been trying to live by over the past decade or so. Eat marshmallows and sing happy songs. Everything will turn out just fine--or at least the way it's supposed to work out.
Battle of the Bands Results
My Martyr Battle
My most recent Battle saw "Joan of Arc" by Jennifer Warnes go up against "The Martyr" by prog rock group Wally. As some of you might have guessed, my favorite was the song by Wally. However either of the albums that these songs came from are big favorites of mine. The voting ran close at the beginning of the race, but then Wally broke out ahead to capture the win.
Final Vote Tally
Jennifer Warnes 5 votes
Wally 9 votes
Next Battle on Wednesday April 1st
This is going to be a big day in blogging since this will also be the start of Blogging from A to Z April Challenge for 2020. So far nearly 300 blogs are signed up to the official list, but many more will be participating through social media sites like Facebook. If you're basically locked down for the current pandemic then why not join us in A to Z. This seems like the year to do it.
And wait! There's more! April 1st will also be the posting date for Insecure Writer's Support Group. So it's gonna be a whopper of a blogging day. I've pulled all these together in one post in previous years so I guess I can do it again.
Please be well. And don't be afraid.
Amen! God's in control anyway. Grace knows it and that's great.
ReplyDeleteAlex, little children can be very perceptive.
DeleteLee
Thanks for the words of encouragement, Lee! You're right, worry is wasted effort. I was on the losing side of this battle. Oh well, c'est la vie. And, as for the pandemic, one day at a time.
ReplyDeleteDebbie D, I think it's a scientific fact that worry leads to stress which can kill. Day by day is all we ever really have.
DeleteLee
Hi Lee - well done ... positivity is the most important idea to take forward right now ... take care and all the best - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary, positive helps more than negative. We have to deal with realities, but if there is no hope in us then looking to the future becomes very difficult.
DeleteLee
I hate I missed this skirmish. I would have thrown in with Jennifer Warnes and Leonard Cohen... By the way, her recording of the song "Famous Blue Raincoat" is in my all time top one hundred pop / rock recordings. Also, Cohen's "Hey That's No Way to Say Goodbye" by The Vogues, made that list. How about that?
ReplyDeleteMichael, your vote would have made for a better showing for Jennifer, but still not a win. Hopefully you can catch the next Battle.
DeleteThe Vogues singing Leonard Cohen? Never heard of that, but sounds kind of interesting.
Lee
I listened to that Vogues cover. Works for me.
DeleteLee
I think a Vogues afternoon might just be in order.
DeleteTurn Around, Listen to Me (Something like that.)
That is really cute. But of course a child would know it was God.
ReplyDeleteL.Diane, kids haven't been jaded by the unbelief that eventually taints so many adults. We should all see God in everything everywhere.
DeleteLee
Thank you for a reminder that God has it all handled.
ReplyDeleteGracie is a wise sweet child.
Susan K, I'm leaving the big picture stuff to God, but I do hope the government gets things right.
DeleteLee
Lee,
ReplyDeletePeople are placing their faith in what they can do instead of the One who's in control always. I do believe we need to prepared and yes I do believe concern over the situation is needed. That helps to keep us safe from doing stupid things but worry and anxiety shouldn't be on your plate. I'm human like the rest of the population but I remind myself daily that God is in charge and I must look to Him. Listening to mewsic helps a lot bring calm in my day and doing things that I enjoy like doodling. I'm working feverishly on my sketches for next month's big blog fest. I may not have all my illustrations done on time this year like I've had in the past few years but I'll survive. :) Thanks for the reminder that Jesus doesn't want us to worry and for the sweet story your daughter shared with you about your granddaughter. It's nice knowing how God choose to reveal Himself to her. :) Let's help each other when we can to deal with this crisis and try to not let the unknown defeat us.
Now for your results...I was on the loosing side this time. In fact, I've been so on most of the battles this round. Thanks for sharing the outcome. I posted mine in yesterday's 4M post. Have a great week! Sending prayers to you and yours!!
Cathy, we all have to be smart about living our lives, but to think that we or the government are smarter than God is a big mistake.
DeleteSometimes we win and sometimes we lose in these Battles. But since it all comes down to personal musical taste no pick is actually a loser if someone likes it.
Lee
Lee,
DeleteYep, we have to be smart and we certainly can't put a whole lot of stock in what the government says. Stay well, my friend!
Thanks Arlee for this warm story of hope. I totally agree with you on the worrying bit ... say that to my mother who has been poisoning our lives for ... 87 years. Fortunately I figured it out before I had my first daughter but she stills does it with her grand-children ... good thing they know better, a very happy, responsible of young adults they are.
ReplyDeleteSorry, bunch ...
ReplyDeleteSusan B, hope is always out there if we are willing to look for it and see it when we come upon it. I rarely have to look long.
DeleteLee
LOVE that story. Kids know.
ReplyDeleteCW, yeah, kids are on a different plane than adults and we should listen to them more closely to adjust our own perspectives.
DeleteLee
I'm so glad I kept this in my inbox and finally went back to open it today, Lee. Your granddaughter's story touched my heart...I'll be thinking about that when I put marshmallows in my hot chocolate this evening. Hope you're well and doing fine.
ReplyDeletePatricia, glad you were able to stop by. Here we are essentially fine, but I've had a raging toothache for the past few days. Worst time to see a dentist, but I've got to get this addressed today. They'll be seeing me soon. Hope it's something relatively simple and inexpensive to fix.
DeleteLee
Oh the faith of the wee ones. Thanks for sharing that Arlee. Looking forward to A to Z haven't had time to write so it's nice to have the break.
ReplyDelete~Moonie
Leslie, I've always got time for doing something other than what I would be better off doing.
DeleteLee
We have to do good and pray. There is always trend and a change in trend. Prayers are for a change in trend. Trend is due to our past actions. This time I am excited about A to Z. The format suits my focus. I am going to write about top global manufacturing companies. The content would be useful to industrial engineers around the world. I am going to initiate the articles first and plan to gather information from many by sending these articles to them and asking for more information. I thank you for taking the initiative and organizing this event for 11 years.
ReplyDeleteTrying to document IE practice in Top Global Engineering Companies. #AtoZChallenge April Writing
Industrial Engineering Practice in Top Global Manufacturing Companies - Top 100
Narayana, all the best to you in your A to Z efforts.
DeleteLee
A kind word -- good to remember!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the next BOTB
Deniz, almost here! And I'm not very prepared--again.
DeleteLee
>>... I asked her how she knew that it was God. She said, “It was definitely God”.
ReplyDeleteI accept that.
Because many years ago, I had a dream in which Jesus Christ appeared. We were on the Pacific Palisades in Santa Monica. Jesus had short hair, he was wearing khaki-colored pants and a Hawaiian shirt, BUT... I knew for an absolute fact that He was Jesus.
When you KNOW something, you KNOW that you KNOW it. Period. (And it's The Holy Spirit who makes you know what you know. Period, again..)
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS
STMcC, yeah, I think sometimes we get a distinct important message. I'm sure I've encountered "angels unaware" and maybe I should have done something at those moments differently than what I did, though maybe sometimes I reacted as I should have.
DeleteLee