Last weekend my son married his bride… a second time. You see, we are living in a COVID world and things are a little weird right now. On May 9, as originally scheduled, the couple married in a small ceremony with parents and siblings present. Just a few months later, they renewed their vows and celebrated with many more family and friends. I am grateful for both of those amazing experiences!

Bride and Groom had a small wedding and then they had a big wedding. The beautiful bride adorned her enchanting dress not once but twice. The Cake. Yep, we had it two times. Both days were special. The first was under some strain of giving up a dream, yet it was intimate and momentous. The second, still under some strain regarding health and safety of guests, was celebratory and full of joy.

In the middle of the two weddings I observed a couple who are in love, navigating some pretty difficult challenges. But COVID would not have the last word on this story. The reason? Jesus’ joy rested firmly on the players.

I experienced and witnessed this joy on each person involved in this wedding story. We never lost sight of the reason for the occasion. An eternal love commitment was the goal. It commenced on May 9 and then pronounced 139 days later.

I do not wish this method of wedding events for anyone; it is not for the faint of heart. However, what a privilege to know even when dreams seemed dashed, joy can still be present. Our families chose to hold fast to what mattered most. For us, this was a pursuit of Jesus and a union of love.

It is true, some days are better than others. We experienced two special days with some not so great days in-between. But the in-between days reminded us joy does not live in our circumstances. It is who we are.

Are we there yet? It’s an exhausting question both for the asker and the ask-ee.

The short answer is “No.”

However, you might be surprised by the long answer.

I’ve been thinking about this question for awhile and wondering: Where exactly is ‘there’? Is there when we have no more sickness in the world? Is there when every person who wants to finally take a vacation gets to? Is there when our favorite football team is playing again?

As I ponder this, I have come to the conclusion that if I wait on there to be a perfect place or scenario, I might be waiting a long time. This has led to me ask a new question instead, “Am I here yet?” Because what if there is actually here? If it is, gosh, I don’t want to miss it!

Truthfully, at the moment, my life isn’t looking exactly like I thought. I’m not planning a vacation, I’m not visiting my sweet niece on her second birthday and I’m not spending hours at my beloved local coffee shop with friends. However, just yesterday, three of the most amazing gals came here – to my house for worship. Last night, my husband and I spent our here with longtime family friends and our new puppies enjoying a play date. And this morning my here was a wonderful telephone conversation with my sister that I normally would not have had on a Monday morning.

So the long answer to “Are we there yet?” is: I don’t know because I don’t know where there is anymore. I’m trusting God with my here. Perhaps this is what He wanted me to notice all along: moments not just events.

When I asked God to help me live in the here, he took me to Romans 8:

“Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along,” Romans 8:26 (MSG).

“I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us,” Romans 8:39 (MSG).

No matter where I may be, his love is HERE –everyday. For me, that’s a powerful promise.

Today, the waves at the beach were literally dancing. It was such a great expression of joy. I have been waiting for this day to come. During the past two and a half months, for many of us, our world has halted into a stillness never before experienced in our generation.

I’ve tried to be patient. But it’s hard. I’ve been a good girl and social distanced from my people. In normal times, things are happening in my life and those things give me a skip in my step. But lately, life is so still and it has been difficult to skip. Honestly, I need a hug.

Sure, I’ve enjoyed springtime. And yes, I’ve calmed my spirit and searched my soul. I’ve been introspective, grateful and quiet. Yet, I have questioned what joy looks like in all of this. I have wondered, is stillness void of joy?

The answer came today in the form of dancing waves. At just the right time, in a single moment, the dancing waves and my eyes met. I laughed at those silly waves as they frolicked and played in the ocean. They were so happy. They made me smile.

The ocean has been a wise counselor during this time of stillness, patience and now joy. I’m reminded its vastness is always present whether I put my toes in the water or not. Each day the shore, the waves, and the horizon may look a little different but it’s up to me to take notice and grasp all the attributes of calm, beauty and power. As a sideline viewer of the ocean, I realize I don’t have to do anything grand for its existence to be real. My responsibility is to be still and watch. And eventually, the waves will dance and joy will come.

Dear Jesus, thank you for giving me the ocean because it reminds me of you. Some days the waves are practically motionless and their calm beauty is breathtaking, just like you. Other days, the waves explode along the shore and I am reminded of strength, just like you. And then today, the waves dance and I realize the jubilation of joy comes from you. My soul is full because of you Jesus. Thank you for teaching me the value of stillness. Amen.

I woke up this morning in a bit of a funk. Life is off-kilter right now and I can’t fix it. I’m a mom of a grown son and a prayer warrior to a friend. It seems this should qualify me as “fixer of all things.” But it doesn’t. What can I do when I receive an email from a friend whose health update is not what we prayed for? And how can I make something about the Coronavirus a positive when it’s messing with all kinds of plans? I feel discouraged.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a blog about being still. Fast forward to today and the unknown of life continues to happen all around me and I can’t fix it. I’m off balance. I have taken my eyes off Jesus and put my gaze on my circumstances.

What can I do? How can I calm my heart and comfort my spirit? Simply put, I need to be still. I need Jesus. When I am still, my focus returns to Him. For some reason, this is a lesson I have to learn over and over. 

A simple practice I use in my stillness is to say the name of Jesus aloud. Saying the powerful name of Jesus brings me into His presence and it soothes my soul.

Things may not immediately be fixed or even fixed at all. But the amazing name of Jesus gives me renewed strength and somehow this gets me through. In my stillness, discouragement sweetly turns to a quiet joy.

Being still is like a drink of cool water in a dry land. After the first sip, I know it’s what I need. It makes me long for more. Likewise, the presence of Jesus refreshes my weary soul. And I know the pursuit of Him is what puts things back in order for me. The powerful name of Jesus is greater even though today is hard.

“Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10

Looking out the window this morning, I am observing one of the most beautiful beach days ever. The emerald green ocean sparkles with baby whitecaps. The beauty is almost too much for my eyes. Birds are fishing. Dolphins are frolicking. The light cool breeze sings an oceanic rhythm no musician can create but would love to duplicate.

In my mind, there is no doubt who created this wonder. Stillness abounds everywhere, yet the earth proclaims the magnificence all around.

I wonder. Is this beauty present every day? If yes, how do I miss it?

While the rest of the world is busy about its business, I sit. In the quiet of the moment I sense God’s presence. I know He is near. But why must I be still to truly experience it?

Perhaps this is what God is telling me right now. I AM here. I AM present.

Perhaps this is what He is always telling me and yet in my frenzied host of activities and endless task lists, I miss it. Or rather, should I say, I miss Him.

No matter my view. No matter my circumstance.

Help me God to be still today to see You.

“Be still and know that I am God.”

My prayer today: May you (God) be exalted today among the nations. May you be exalted in the earth.” (taken from Psalm 46:10)

The song Jingle Bells has it right… “Dashing through the snow…” It may not be snowing where you are but this time of year, most of us feel like we are dashing  — to somewhere, something or someone. Honestly, some years I’m dash-ier than others. I don’t know about you, but Christmas came quickly this year. Yet, no matter how busy December gets, I love reading and pondering the Christmas stories found in Matthew and Luke.

A couple of days ago, I was reading Luke 1 which foretells the birth of Jesus.  When you get a minute take a look at verses 26-38. (Luke 1:26-38) These are some powerful verses because there are so many facts in this short passage. It clearly answers the ‘who, what, where, why, when and how’ curious minds want to know. If you were a news reporter, you would love this account.

In Luke 1, we meet Mary and learn the name of her upcoming baby. We discover when and where this blessed event occurs. God uncovers his plan: a Savior for the world that will last forever. We see all persons of the trinity through the presence of our Sovereign God, the birth of our Savior Jesus and the power of our Holy Spirit. In these remarkable verses we realize that although Mary is confused, she still trusts. We rejoice in the greatness of Jesus and the coming of His eternal kingdom. We witness an empowering of the Holy Spirit who is still working in our lives today. We are given the great promise, “For no word from God will ever fail.” 

My prayer for you this Christmas and the coming year is that you will BELIEVE. Believe our Savior Jesus was born. Believe God uses ordinary, confused people, like you and me, to accomplish His  purposes. Believe the Holy Spirit’s power is actively working in you and me to do great things. Believe that even though the world is dashing by, God is working in unimaginable ways.

May the love of baby Jesus who came to earth be real to you this season. Best wishes to you and yours. Susan