The past few months may seem like a lifetime in length with all we have gone through since the New Year's ball dropped in Times Square. Especially when we can't see the light at the end of the tunnel yet. And we don't know what lies ahead when we emerge. We may fret at the slow pace and isolation forced upon us. We may feel we are wasting a valuable part of our lives and simply treading water.
Nevertheless, God is working His Master Plan for us behind the scenes. Time is not being wasted. He seldom takes us to His destination by a straight street for good reasons known only to Him. The zigzags of our life journey may be frustrating and confusing but God is working on us in order to work through us when we emerge. We must be prepared for “the new thing” which will await us. It would be nice to have a heaven's-eye-view of our lives from beginning to end while we are still in progress. Fantasy.
Faith and trust in God is our only recourse. “We live by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7) Let's relax and allow God to be our GPS for whatever roads we must still travel even as the rest of the year unfolds.
San Francisco is famous for its hilly streets but Lombard Street used to take the prize for being the most treacherous drive until it was re-engineered to make it safer. Previously, when it was a steep straight street, it was a one-way death-defying drop toward the San Francisco Bay. Engineers gave it a series of hairpin S-curves within the space of one city block. Low, walled gardens were built, projecting from the sides of the street into the center, creating 4 right-hand and 4 left-hand S-curves—a total of 8 from the high top to bottom. Maximum speed? Only 5-10 mph. You now spend as much time going sideways as you do going downhill—but at least you arrive in one piece!
A part of the famous Burma Road carved from the mountainous jungles in the late 1930s, “24-Zig” has 24 zigzag turns in the road in the space of 2.4 miles—one S-curve every one-tenth of a mile. From the air, it looks like a long piece of wet spaghetti laid out with 24 perfect hairpin turns running along the top of the mountain ridges. You actually travel 10 miles in order to complete 2.4 miles! Most of the time you are again going sideways.
Google's map function will take you visually and virtually to both of those incredible spots. They may be descriptive of our COVID experience thus far. Let's just keep ourselves in God's hand for the rest of the journey. He promises to guide us with His eye, with His righteous right-hand and by His Holy Spirit always for our good and for His glory. Let's look at it this way:
There may be some steep hills to climb.
Times when the road seems treacherous
and you aren't sure which turns to take.
Times when you feel like you are on the brink of falling.
There may be many curves in the road
as you make your way through the ups and downs
of the rest of the year.
May you know God's presence with you
through each tunnel,
every steep climb, every curve
in the beautiful mountaintop experiences with Him
and through the unexpected storms of life.
I pray that God will walk with you
down through the shadowed valley and up the mountain,
take your hand and guide you through to His Light,
put a hedge around you to keep you safe,
help you to find joy and excitement
in the roller coaster ride of life,
and fill you with amazement at the beauty
He provides along the way.
Take time to smell the flowers, to admire God’s handiwork along life's road. May His love flood over you, fill you, and overflow in praise to Him for all He's done, is doing and will yet do!
Worrying does not take away Tomorrow's TROUBLES; it takes away Today's PEACE.
The Rest of The Way
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Bug Out Bags and More
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GIVE ME THIS DAY FRESH BREAD
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“WHO WERE YOU?”
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WALKING WITH JESUS
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WHAT DOES MY COVID JOURNEY LOOK LIKE?
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HEARING VOICES
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A TIME TO BE HELD
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RUMBLE STRIPS AHEAD!
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“WHATEVER IS LOVELY AND BRINGS PEACE...”
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TO PLAN OR NOT TO PLAN
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MY OWN INDEPENDENCE DAY
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WHAT'S OUT THERE?
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“FULL OF SAP AND VERY GREEN”
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SPIRITUAL ATHEROSCLEROSIS
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JUST FOR FUN
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WHO'S COUNTING?
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PRAYER IS NOT FOR SISSIES
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MY KITCHEN TIMER SPEAKS
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SQUEAKING HINGES
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“US WOMEN ON OUR OWN”
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PREPARING AN ETERNAL “NEST”
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TENDING TO MY CATERPILLARS AND COCOONS
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STILL LEAPING UPSTREAM
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POKING HOLES IN THE DARKNESS
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ARE WE THERE YET?
5/31/2020 9:14:00 AM by: Leona Choy
NEW WINE-SKIN PEOPLE
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EARTH SUIT vs SPACE SUIT: Increasing Tension
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ONLY A CHAPTER
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WOUNDED WARRIORS
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WEARY OR JUST TIRED?
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WEARING PAJAMAS IN COMBAT?
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RETHINKING THE PREPPER MINDSET
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THE INTRIGUE OF ISOLATION
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CONTEST OF THE CONDIMENTS
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THOUGHTS FOR US “VULNERABLES”
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WHO WANTS TO PLAY STATUE?
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BALCONY CONCERTS
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GIANTS IN OUR FAMILY TREE
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WHAT ABOUT THOSE GRASSHOPPERS?
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METATHESIOPHOBIA!
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WITHERED HANDS
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WRITE A TIME CAPSULE
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CASTING PRACTICE
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MASKS
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LAST STRAW?
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MY SURVIVOR ASSIGNMENT
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SEGUE TIME
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SURE, I'LL PRAY FOR YOU
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MEANWHILE, WE GROAN
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PARABLE OF THE DISORDERED EGG
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CHANTING THE PSALMS—A “JOYFUL NOISE”
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OUR GREEN ROOM/GREENHOUSE
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PSALMS IN COLOR
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TV WATCH AND PRAY
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JUST PASSING BY?
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A SAFE PLACE ON THE ROCK
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GETTING A GOOD SHAKING
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THE UPSIDE OF DOWNTIME
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ANNOUNCING! PANDEMIC READ-A-THON!
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GOD'S OBSESSION WITH FRUIT
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GRAY CLOUD FOLKS
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END OF THE STORY
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RAVENS DELIVERY SERVICE
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CALAMITY COMFORT
3/29/2020 9:58:00 AM by: Leona Choy
A DESERT FABLE
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A PERSONAL MESSAGE
3/27/2020 11:49:00 AM by: Leona Choy
SURFING THE PANDEMIC WAVES
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HOW ARE YOUR “WITS” DOING?
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FALLEN ROCKS
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HUNKERING AT EAGLE SUMMIT
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TENT DWELLING
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A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE
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HANDS ON THE PLOW
3/19/2020 3:27:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SUBMARINE LIVING
3/18/2020 11:59:00 AM by: Leona Choy
A NEW HAPPY DANCE
3/17/2020 10:20:00 AM by: Leona Choy
SOCIAL DISTANCING
3/13/2020 12:36:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE RELUCTANT PILGRIM
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THE MYSTERIOUS "SELAH" WORD
3/9/2020 10:58:00 AM by: Leona Choy
MY CLAP OFFERING
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ONE DOLLAR DAFFODIL
3/7/2020 1:11:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BOUND BY AN INVISIBLE THREAD
3/4/2020 9:43:00 PM by: Leona Choy
NOT SILENCED
2/26/2020 12:15:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BEING OWLISH ABOUT WISDOM
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"In the beginning..." before GOOGLE
2/22/2020 11:13:00 AM by: Leona Choy
PULLED FROM THE BRINK
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APPLE OF HIS EYE
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SINGING HER WAY HOME
1/31/2020 3:33:00 PM by: Leona Choy
EATIN' SHORTBREAD
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PLATFORM, PODIUM, PULPIT OR PEDESTAL?
1/17/2020 1:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BUCKET LIST AGAIN?
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IN SEARCH OF A MAKEOVER
12/31/2019 12:17:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SEASONAL SAG
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THE MYSTERY OF TIME
12/28/2019 9:21:00 AM by: Leona Choy
2020 MY RENEWED EAGLE YEAR
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Post Surgery Report
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SURGERY ENCORE
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“You Have the Right to Remain Silent”
10/31/2019 2:38:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHO IS SHAKING MY TREE?
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WHO IS THE BOSS OF ME?
10/15/2019 10:37:00 AM by: Leona Choy
LORD, MOVE MY MOUNTAIN!
10/13/2019 3:11:00 PM by: Leona Choy
ANOTHER WAITING ROOM
10/11/2019 9:36:00 AM by: Leona Choy
DON'T BE SHEEPISH
10/10/2019 12:33:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE VALUE OF SELF-TALK
9/28/2019 3:59:00 PM by: Leona Choy
LASER PRAYER
9/27/2019 12:35:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THANKS FOR THE MEMORY
9/12/2019 1:39:00 PM by: Leona Choy
CARRY ME, FATHER
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MY PERSONAL SPIRITUAL WORKOUT
9/4/2019 10:55:00 AM by: Leona Choy
PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS?
9/1/2019 12:08:00 PM by: Leona Choy
Lessons from My Cup
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STRAW & THE CAMEL'S BACK
8/7/2019 12:38:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BECOMING MORE "FRUITY"
7/10/2019 5:17:00 PM by: Leona Choy
CREATIVE ENCOUNTERS
7/3/2019 2:27:00 PM by: Leona Choy
PITCHING IT RIGHT
6/30/2019 11:46:00 AM by: Leona Choy
“WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WHEN YOU GROW UP?”
6/25/2019 3:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
34580 and COUNTING
6/18/2019 2:11:00 PM by: Leona Choy
MOUNTAINS AND MOLEHILLS
6/14/2019 9:54:00 AM by: Leona Choy
CHEERLEADING
6/6/2019 9:52:00 AM by: Leona Choy
HANDS ON THE PLOW
5/22/2019 11:38:00 AM by: Leona Choy
WAITING FOR GRADUATION DAY
5/17/2019 3:46:00 PM by: Leona Choy
I THINK BOOKS
5/13/2019 12:06:00 PM by: Leona Choy
ONLY TALK WITH YOUR MOUTH FULL!
5/4/2019 8:35:00 PM by: Leona Choy
HO-HUM FAITH
4/18/2019 12:47:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BREATHTAKING THOUGHTS
4/7/2019 1:47:00 PM by: Leona Choy
TOO MUCH ON MY PLATE?
3/31/2019 5:23:00 PM by: Leona Choy
EARTH SUIT vs SPACE SUIT: Increasing Tension
3/4/2019 3:37:00 PM by: Leona Choy
AVOIDING A SPIRITUAL "OOPS!"
3/1/2019 12:06:00 PM by: Leona Choy
PURSUING WISDOM
2/19/2019 1:29:00 PM by: Leona Choy
A THORNY MATTER
2/15/2019 10:42:00 AM by: Leona Choy
A SOMEWHAT GRUMPY CHAT WITH GOD
2/12/2019 9:54:00 AM by: Leona Choy
A FISH STORY
2/8/2019 3:40:00 PM by: Leona Choy
LET'S EAT NOODLES TOGETHER!
1/21/2019 3:07:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SATISFIED--A SECRET TO SHARE
1/11/2019 7:22:00 PM by: Leona Choy
STILL RUNNING
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RESISTANCE TO ASSISTANCE
12/6/2018 5:17:00 PM by: Leona Choy
CHALLENGE OF THE FOURTH QUARTER
11/26/2018 3:19:00 PM by: Leona Choy
KEEPING A TRADITION
11/15/2018 9:14:00 AM by: Leona Choy
PUBLISHING FUND PROGRESS
11/5/2018 8:58:00 AM by: Leona Choy
"GOING STEADY" WITH MY "SUGAR CANE"
11/3/2018 2:02:00 PM by: Leona Choy
A SHOUT-OUT FOR A NEW BUTTERFLY
10/31/2018 3:24:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THANKSGIVING IN OCTOBER
10/7/2018 5:53:00 PM by: Leona Choy
REPEAT OFFENDERS
9/30/2018 3:16:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SHINING WHEN YOUR BATTERY IS LOW
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I DESERVE IT...DESERVE IT NOT....
9/13/2018 7:54:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
9/10/2018 12:35:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WAITING FOR GOD'S DUE TIME
9/3/2018 7:29:00 PM by: Leona Choy
STONES AND COVERUPS AND HOLY EARS
8/31/2018 10:44:00 AM by: Leona Choy
IT'S ALL ABOUT SHOES
8/29/2018 9:30:00 AM by: Leona Choy
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS MY CELL TOWER
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REJUVENATION GOD'S WAY
8/17/2018 8:49:00 AM by: Leona Choy
STUCK IN THE MUD?
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TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE STAR
8/8/2018 2:07:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHEN'S A GOOD TIME TO "EXULT"?
7/30/2018 3:00:00 PM by: Leona Choy
Survey For the Calendar-Challenged
7/25/2018 2:42:00 PM by: Leona Choy
Destiny Decisions
7/19/2018 10:25:00 AM by: Leona Choy
BEDROOM SLIPPERS OR HIKING BOOTS?
7/18/2018 10:44:00 AM by: Leona Choy
Hurrah for the Prepper Bridesmaids!
7/13/2018 6:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS?
7/10/2018 5:35:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BARNACLES
6/5/2018 2:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
