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
SAGEBRUSH CHRISTIANS
1/21/2021 3:04:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THIS PRESENT DARKNESS
1/12/2021 5:08:00 PM by: Leona Choy
“LET FREEDOM RING!”
1/11/2021 10:40:00 AM by: Leona Choy
CONCERNING CLIMATE CHANGE
1/8/2021 5:17:00 PM by: Leona choy
NEITHER ROBOTS OR PUPPETS!
1/4/2021 12:49:00 PM by: Leona Choy
STILL CLIMBING NEW HILLS
1/1/2021 12:04:00 PM by: Leona Choy
ARCHI AND THE FINISH LINE
12/29/2020 5:47:00 PM by: Leona Choy
IT'S ALL ABOUT FOOTWEAR
12/26/2020 2:57:00 PM by: Leona choy
“STAR OF WONDER, STAR OF NIGHT...”
12/24/2020 9:26:00 PM by: Leona
UNSCRAMBLING SCRAMBLED EGGS
12/22/2020 3:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE REVEAL!
12/19/2020 3:17:00 PM by: Leona Choy
[ in-foh-dem-ik ] INFODEMIC: WMD of 2020
12/14/2020 10:16:00 AM by: Leona Choy
RIP VAN WINKLE AND THE FIRST ELECTION
12/7/2020 5:18:00 PM by: Leona Choy
“BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!”
11/30/2020 3:37:00 PM by: Leona Choy
IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS
11/27/2020 6:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE GRINCH (VIRUS) THAT STOLE THANKSGIVING
11/23/2020 3:45:00 PM by: Leona Choy
A THANKSGIVING STORY
11/20/2020 12:27:00 PM by: Leona Choy
FIXING YOUR EYES
11/15/2020 5:00:00 PM by: Leona Choy
LIVING THROUGH THE “NOT YET”
11/12/2020 1:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
CARPE DIEM IN LOCKDOWN
11/9/2020 10:12:00 AM by: Leona Choy
EXTRA FOR ELECTION WEEK
10/31/2020 3:30:00 PM by: Leona Choy
ATTENTION: ALL FRETTERS!
10/29/2020 1:16:00 PM by: Leona Choy
HANDS OFF!
10/26/2020 5:41:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SEASONAL SPECTACULARS
10/22/2020 3:12:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE LATE GREAT ELIMINATOR
10/19/2020 11:09:00 AM by: Leona Choy
RAINY DAY REMINDER
10/17/2020 5:26:00 PM by: Leona Choy
VIEW FROM THE HEAVENLIES
10/15/2020 6:55:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BEAUTIFUL DREAMER?
10/12/2020 6:18:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BUT IF HE DOESN'T?
10/8/2020 7:11:00 PM by: Leona Choy
READY OR NOT—HERE I COME!
10/6/2020 5:41:00 PM by: Leona Choy
A TESTED HELP
10/5/2020 10:03:00 AM by: Leona Choy
ENCHANTED GROUND?
10/1/2020 11:54:00 AM by: Leona Choy
BEAUTIFUL TOGETHER
9/28/2020 6:16:00 PM by: Leona Choy
OUR PREOCCUPATION WITH “SETI”
9/24/2020 3:24:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SHINE THROUGH ME
9/21/2020 12:57:00 PM by: Leona Choy
“THINGS TO COME...”
9/17/2020 10:47:00 AM by: Leona Choy
RIDING THE SHOCK WAVES
9/14/2020 3:10:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SLEEP WITH OUR CLOTHES ON
9/10/2020 3:13:00 PM by: Leona Choy
HOW DO YOU SMELL BY NOW?
9/7/2020 3:05:00 PM by: Leona Choy
"I AM NOT A ROBOT!”
9/3/2020 10:59:00 AM by: Leona Choy
PROLIFERATION OF DROPOUTS
8/31/2020 12:18:00 PM by: Leona Choy
MESSAGE FROM 8TH CENTURY B.C.
8/27/2020 5:46:00 PM by: Leona choy
BRIDGES TO SOMEWHERE
8/24/2020 11:43:00 AM by: Leona Choy
GET UP OFF THE FLOOR
8/20/2020 9:39:00 AM by: Leona Choy
"Under" the Circumstances?
8/17/2020 7:51:00 PM by: Leona Choy
TOO MUCH STUFF
8/13/2020 7:11:00 PM by: Leona Choy
Pacemakers and Pacesetters
8/10/2020 7:47:00 PM by: Leona Choy
Bug Out Bags and More
8/6/2020 10:06:00 PM by: Leona Choy
GIVE ME THIS DAY FRESH BREAD
8/3/2020 2:16:00 PM by: Leona Choy
FAMILY TREE HUGGERS
7/30/2020 11:17:00 AM by: Leona Choy
“WHO WERE YOU?”
7/27/2020 11:12:00 AM by: Leona Choy
WALKING WITH JESUS
7/23/2020 3:07:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHAT DOES MY COVID JOURNEY LOOK LIKE?
7/20/2020 3:05:00 PM by: Leona Choy
HEARING VOICES
7/16/2020 10:20:00 AM by: Leona Choy
A TIME TO BE HELD
7/13/2020 11:23:00 AM by: Leona Choy
RUMBLE STRIPS AHEAD!
7/9/2020 10:50:00 AM by: Leona Choy
“WHATEVER IS LOVELY AND BRINGS PEACE...”
7/7/2020 10:49:00 AM by: Leona Choy
TO PLAN OR NOT TO PLAN
7/5/2020 7:25:00 PM by: Leona choy
MY OWN INDEPENDENCE DAY
7/3/2020 6:50:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHAT'S OUT THERE?
7/1/2020 11:51:00 AM by: Leona Choy
“FULL OF SAP AND VERY GREEN”
6/28/2020 5:25:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SPIRITUAL ATHEROSCLEROSIS
6/25/2020 2:42:00 PM by: Leona Choy
JUST FOR FUN
6/23/2020 1:18:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHO'S COUNTING?
6/20/2020 3:49:00 PM by: Leona Choy
PRAYER IS NOT FOR SISSIES
6/18/2020 7:23:00 PM by: Leona Choy
MY KITCHEN TIMER SPEAKS
6/16/2020 7:49:00 AM by: Leona Choy
SQUEAKING HINGES
6/14/2020 3:45:00 PM by: Leona Choy
“US WOMEN ON OUR OWN”
6/12/2020 5:46:00 PM by: Leona Choy
PREPARING AN ETERNAL “NEST”
6/10/2020 3:29:00 PM by: Leona Choy
TENDING TO MY CATERPILLARS AND COCOONS
6/8/2020 10:37:00 AM by: Leona Choy
STILL LEAPING UPSTREAM
6/6/2020 2:58:00 PM by: Leona Choy
POKING HOLES IN THE DARKNESS
6/3/2020 11:27:00 AM by: Leona Choy
ARE WE THERE YET?
5/31/2020 9:14:00 AM by: Leona Choy
NEW WINE-SKIN PEOPLE
5/30/2020 10:22:00 AM by: Leona Choy
EARTH SUIT vs SPACE SUIT: Increasing Tension
5/29/2020 3:50:00 PM by: Leona Choy
ONLY A CHAPTER
5/28/2020 6:17:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WOUNDED WARRIORS
5/26/2020 7:21:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WEARY OR JUST TIRED?
5/24/2020 3:07:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WEARING PAJAMAS IN COMBAT?
5/22/2020 3:06:00 PM by: Leona Choy
RETHINKING THE PREPPER MINDSET
5/20/2020 5:44:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE INTRIGUE OF ISOLATION
5/18/2020 3:08:00 PM by: Leona Choy
CONTEST OF THE CONDIMENTS
5/15/2020 3:41:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THOUGHTS FOR US “VULNERABLES”
5/13/2020 6:05:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHO WANTS TO PLAY STATUE?
5/12/2020 10:42:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BALCONY CONCERTS
5/11/2020 9:17:00 PM by: Leona Choy
GIANTS IN OUR FAMILY TREE
5/8/2020 7:02:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHAT ABOUT THOSE GRASSHOPPERS?
5/6/2020 3:17:00 PM by: Leona Choy
METATHESIOPHOBIA!
5/4/2020 6:23:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WITHERED HANDS
5/3/2020 6:02:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WRITE A TIME CAPSULE
5/1/2020 3:31:00 PM by: Leona Choy
CASTING PRACTICE
4/30/2020 3:02:00 PM by: Leona Choy
MASKS
4/29/2020 3:46:00 PM by: Leona Choy
LAST STRAW?
4/28/2020 2:37:00 PM by: Leona Choy
MY SURVIVOR ASSIGNMENT
4/25/2020 3:36:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SEGUE TIME
4/24/2020 3:33:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SURE, I'LL PRAY FOR YOU
4/23/2020 8:00:00 PM by: Leona Choy
MEANWHILE, WE GROAN
4/22/2020 3:50:00 PM by: Leona Choy
PARABLE OF THE DISORDERED EGG
4/20/2020 12:14:00 PM by: Leona choy
CHANTING THE PSALMS—A “JOYFUL NOISE”
4/19/2020 10:07:00 PM by: Leona Choy
OUR GREEN ROOM/GREENHOUSE
4/16/2020 10:41:00 PM by: Leona Choy
PSALMS IN COLOR
4/15/2020 5:49:00 PM by: Leona Choy
TV WATCH AND PRAY
4/14/2020 5:26:00 PM by: Leona Choy
JUST PASSING BY?
4/9/2020 3:08:00 PM by: Leona Choy
A SAFE PLACE ON THE ROCK
4/8/2020 5:09:00 PM by: Leona Choy
GETTING A GOOD SHAKING
4/7/2020 11:36:00 AM by: Leona Choy
THE UPSIDE OF DOWNTIME
4/6/2020 5:34:00 PM by: Leona Choy
ANNOUNCING! PANDEMIC READ-A-THON!
4/4/2020 8:14:00 PM by: Leona Choy
GOD'S OBSESSION WITH FRUIT
4/3/2020 5:09:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BLOOMING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
4/2/2020 6:04:00 PM by: Leona Choy
GRAY CLOUD FOLKS
4/1/2020 9:15:00 PM by: Leona Choy
END OF THE STORY
3/31/2020 8:46:00 PM by: Leona Choy
RAVENS DELIVERY SERVICE
3/30/2020 9:45:00 PM by: Leona Choy
CALAMITY COMFORT
3/29/2020 9:58:00 AM by: Leona Choy
A DESERT FABLE
3/28/2020 11:06:00 AM by: Leona Choy
A PERSONAL MESSAGE
3/27/2020 11:49:00 AM by: Leona Choy
SURFING THE PANDEMIC WAVES
3/25/2020 3:54:00 PM by: Leona Choy
HOW ARE YOUR “WITS” DOING?
3/24/2020 3:38:00 PM by: Leona Choy
FALLEN ROCKS
3/23/2020 10:32:00 AM by: Leona Choy
HUNKERING AT EAGLE SUMMIT
3/21/2020 6:02:00 PM by: Leona Choy
TENT DWELLING
3/21/2020 12:14:00 PM by: Leona Choy
A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE
3/20/2020 2:47:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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
3/11/2020 6:47:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE MYSTERIOUS "SELAH" WORD
3/9/2020 10:58:00 AM by: Leona Choy
MY CLAP OFFERING
3/8/2020 3:04:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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
2/24/2020 3:31:00 PM by: Leona Choy
"In the beginning..." before GOOGLE
2/22/2020 11:13:00 AM by: Leona Choy
PULLED FROM THE BRINK
2/20/2020 3:55:00 PM by: Leona Choy
APPLE OF HIS EYE
2/9/2020 12:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SINGING HER WAY HOME
1/31/2020 3:33:00 PM by: Leona Choy
EATIN' SHORTBREAD
1/24/2020 9:31:00 PM by: Leona Choy
PLATFORM, PODIUM, PULPIT OR PEDESTAL?
1/17/2020 1:01:00 PM by: Leona Choy
BUCKET LIST AGAIN?
1/12/2020 5:33:00 PM by: Leona Choy
IN SEARCH OF A MAKEOVER
12/31/2019 12:17:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SEASONAL SAG
12/30/2019 1:32:00 PM by: Leona Choy
THE MYSTERY OF TIME
12/28/2019 9:21:00 AM by: Leona Choy
2020 MY RENEWED EAGLE YEAR
12/26/2019 11:02:00 AM by: Leona Choy
Post Surgery Report
12/3/2019 3:30:00 PM by: Leona Choy
SURGERY ENCORE
11/23/2019 8:49:00 PM by: Leona Choy
“You Have the Right to Remain Silent”
10/31/2019 2:38:00 PM by: Leona Choy
WHO IS SHAKING MY TREE?
10/30/2019 5:06:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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
9/5/2019 3:11:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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
8/20/2019 3:33:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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
12/29/2018 7:22:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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
9/21/2018 5:32:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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
8/27/2018 3:47:00 PM by: Leona Choy
REJUVENATION GOD'S WAY
8/17/2018 8:49:00 AM by: Leona Choy
STUCK IN THE MUD?
8/13/2018 7:22:00 PM by: Leona Choy
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