Month: July 2021

AboutDebbie, bloghome, Lutheran Women in Mission

A Bit of Wit

I often wonder how you go about requesting a national day of “something.” As I browse social media, I am amazed at the array of designations. A few of my favorites (or ones that caught my attention) have been National Taco Day, National Read a Road Map Day, and National Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day.

I found this when I Googled the subject: only an official act of the legislature or government can make a holiday a national day. But it’s possible, in fact very easy, to declare a national day in recognition of something, even if it’s totally silly. All one needs to do to register the special day is to send an application to the people at the National Day Calendar website.

I hope everyone who reads this understands just because you see it on the internet, doesn’t mean it’s so! The preceding paragraph may be true, and I would guess there is a fee — but I’m not interested enough to do any research.

I think I will just come up with my own list and put them on my family’s calendars. I’ll begin with a National Pick Up the Phone and Call Your Parents Day. Then I’ll continue with National Pray for Your Parents and Children Day, National Take a Nap Day, National I’ll Do It Tomorrow Day, and National Do Something Kind for Your Neighbor Day.

This could be fun. I’ll need to make sure my ideas are filled with variety, laughter, and unexpected surprises. I enjoy keeping my family guessing about what I’ll come up with next. I think they’ll get into this project and come up with some good designations on their own.

Today — I declare it to be “National Make God Smile Day!” And now, with the help of the Holy Spirit, I will do my best to make the Lord smile down on me as I go about my chores, thanking Him for each opportunity to share His love.

If you have a great idea for a national day designation, just declare it so, and go a little silly! I’m already looking forward to tomorrow, which I am going to declare “National Eat the Whole Container of Ice Cream Day!”

P.S. There’s obviously no point to this blog. It’s just a bit of wit!
Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,
Debbie

AboutDebbie, bloghome, Lutheran Reflection, Lutheran Women in Mission

Back to Normal?

Everywhere I go — in Lexington at the LWML convention, at the grocery store, in church, at a restaurant — I hear people saying, “Isn’t it wonderful to get back to normal? No mask and no social distancing!” In many parts of the country, restrictions have been lifted, and we have embraced life as it was before COVID-19. Our lives are getting back to normal. But do we want our lives to get back to normal?

The word “normal” can be defined as “conforming to the standard.” As Christians, we trust in the promises God gives to His people in the Bible and live our lives accordingly. Romans 12:2 states Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Do we want to pretend that the pandemic is over and we can just resume our lives as if it didn’t happen? Please understand; I am well aware that COVID-19 is still a real threat to many in this country and around the world. It’s still an extremely dangerous virus. So we cannot pretend it has not touched every one of us. Let’s learn from the experience of self-isolating, respecting the concerns of others, and appreciating those who worked through the pandemic, putting their lives on the line for strangers. We certainly need to remember all those families who lost loved ones and all those who will have long-term effects from contracting the virus. Let’s remember, learn, and look for God’s hand in challenging times.

I thank God for technology; we had no choice but to embrace it! I thank God for the creativity of my sisters in Christ who found inventive ways to stay in the Word and share His message with others. They continued serving those who were in need and gave to missions without hesitation, trusting that God would provide. And He did — and He still does!

Yes, it’s really nice to return to a more normal life without masks and social distancing, but let’s thank God in every circumstance — even during a pandemic because for Christians, Jesus is our normal even in abnormal times. As we remember the isolation and the suffering of so many, let’s appreciate that, through it all, we were never alone. Christ has been with us and continues to be with us. Our LWML convention theme was “Running the Race … Looking to Jesus.” As our opening worship proclaimer, Rev. Dr. David Maier, reminded us, “We are all in the race, but we are never in the lead. We follow Jesus!” I will, each morning, pray that my “normal” is to follow Jesus and trust in His promises. Let’s all make that our “normal!”

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,
Debbie

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