Tuesday, April 14, 2020

What the Pandemic Can Teach Us ~ Guest Post by Deborah Montgomery

"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."
Psalm 90:12


I wanted to share why I am feeling optimistic during this time of great uncertainty and fear and why I think many good things can come out of this if we pay attention to what the Lord is trying to say to us.

Now, I do not think the Lord caused this pandemic. We live in a broken world and bad things happen when things are broken. We have a very real enemy who loves to kill and to destroy. But the Lord can use what was meant for evil for our good.

Of course, I don’t want in any way to minimize the very real struggles that are going on out there. I don’t want what I’m going to say to sound insensitive to those burdened with sickness, financial insecurity, stress, and isolation.

But I still feel that there is great reason for hope. Here are some of the good things I think can come out of this and we can do.

Trust in the One Who is in control of all things.

Even though we know better, we usually act as if we were in control of our lives and circumstances. We plan and schedule and make lists, and then we go out and try and make things happen. This pandemic is another reminder that there is very little in this life that we can actually control. 

But how comforting to know that the One Who created us has all things in His Hands. We can trust Him. It is a relief to let go of the reins and trust the One Who cares for us and knows the big picture.

Yes, we wash our hands and practice social distancing and act prudently. We don’t shirk our responsibilities and the things that we can do. But we let go of our planning and worrying. We rest.

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God."
 Psalm 20:7

Spend more time in prayer and in God’s Word.

Nothing drives us to our knees faster than hard circumstances. After we realize, yet again, that we are not in control, we pray to the One Who is.

Focused, intentional prayer can be hard work. I found that during the first week of isolating at home I was too distracted to pray much. Not really anxious, but scattered. Everything was happening so fast it was hard to settle down. It was easier to sit and distract myself with Instagram, for example. 

But prayer takes us out of ourselves. It grounds us. It causes us to focus on the Lord and His great mercies that are new every morning. It keeps us focused on our neighbors’ needs as we bring each one before our Heavenly Father. It reminds us of our blessings. It is powerful and changes things. It changes us.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:6,7

Reading Scripture is calming. Encouraging. Life-giving. I have to remind myself to open my Bible and not my news feed. One is life-giving, the other can be fear-inducing.

Love our neighbors better.

People are finding new ways to love their neighbors during this pandemic. Calling and checking on each other. Dropping off groceries. Collecting food to donate to those less fortunate. Sewing face masks. Singing out of balconies to cheer each other up. Allowing seniors to shop before everyone else is allowed in the stores.

Even though we have to keep apart, there are so many ways we can love and encourage each other. We’re all in this together, and it’s heartwarming to see stories of neighbors caring for neighbors.

Let’s not forget each other when we’re on the other side of this.

Love our family better.

I know from talking with moms of young children in my church that home life is chaotic at the moment as everyone struggles to find new routines and new ways of living at home together 24/7. Family life can get potentially worse if we spend our time fighting with each other out of frustration. I pray that a spirit of peace and forgiveness and tolerance will descend on families who find themselves in this situation.

I pray we would all feel a real appreciation and deep love for those with whom we live. How when everything else is stripped away we realize that our loved ones at home are more important than anything else. Petty arguments and disagreements fall away as we realize that all we have is each other. An appreciation of sitting down and eating together. The family dinner has almost disappeared in many American homes. What a blessing to everyone if we will all realize the gift of slowing down, looking into each others’ eyes, and listening! Of sharing a simple meal together. We’ve missed so much!

Create a simpler life.

This winter I have been experimenting with putting on false eyelashes. It’s been both fun and frustrating and I’ve probably spent way too much time fussing over this. There’s nothing wrong with this, or with many of the little “fun” things we do day by day. But all of a sudden, false eyelashes are the last thing on my mind, and seem rather silly at this point.

Even though I have lots of time to practice with them now, it seems much more important to call a loved one or to make a batch of homemade soup. Extraneous things become just that.  Life becomes simpler; the important becomes clear.

I feel like I’m thinking like a homesteader. What can I use up in my pantry? How can I make food stretch further? What can I substitute for ingredients I don’t have on hand? I’m finding myself being much more creative and less wasteful and it feels good. We are finding out that we can improvise, cut back, and live much more simply than we have.

Our Western culture is awash in materialism. And I am, myself, much more than I’m willing to admit. Too many material things become a burden and a distraction.

Most people’s lives are so busy. No one has time to stop and smell the proverbial rose. To take a deep breath and think about what really matters. To have margin in their lives. Being forced to slow down, to have our calendars cleared, strips away the unimportant and lets the best things shine forth.

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I don’t think all these good things will automatically happen because of this pandemic. We need to purpose to look for the good. To not give way to fear. To not go back to business as usual when this is all over. To learn the lessons that we can. To not waste the suffering.

Will we learn? Will we grow? We will come through this changed for the better? I’m preaching to myself here. Lord, teach us what you have for us in this. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear. And thank You that You never leave nor forsake us. Amen.


Bio:  Deborah Montgomery is a full-time homemaker. She has been married for 39 years to Scott and is mom to three children, whom she homeschooled, and grandma to one darling grandson. She has written a book entitled Help for Depression and mentors young moms in her church. She writes at The Beautiful Matters.







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I hope you can take some time to visit Deborah's blog where you will find so much that is beautiful, uplifting, and comforting.  I so enjoyed the thoughts she shared with us today, along with all of the other wonderful, inspired posts that have been coming in.  I trust each post is a blessing to you, too, and helping to keep your spirits up!


Stand firm in your faith, and keep praying!

31 comments:

  1. This was a very encouraging post. I have been a follower of Deborah's for years, so good to see this guest post of hers here.

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    1. It was so encouraging to me, too, Lorraine! Thank you so much for your visit. May God bless you in these troubled times.

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  2. It is so good to slow down and realize what is most important.

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    1. Yes, indeed! I am finding so much good in this time of mandatory stillness and actually very grateful for it.

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  3. Very inspirational thoughts Deborah! I too, believe that great and wonderful things will come out of this season we are in... for it is a season. Nothing lasts forever. I see the mercies of God bringing families closer during these uncertain times, and all of us appreciate how blessed in abundance we are, when we realize that the things we take for granted are now lacking. I hope and pray that going forward people will be thrilled to gather together, worship together, and continue a slower pace in life. Somehow the important things become more clear in days like we are facing. I appreciate you sharing your uplifting thoughts, may the Lord bless you!

    Sweet blessings to you dear Cheryl... such a tremendous blessing this series of encouragement has been! Much love to you!

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    1. Much love and many blessings to you, too, my dear friend. Surely Jesus is with us still, and it is so wonderful how the Lord is joining us all together in these troubled times.

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  4. He will never forsake us, Deborah, that's for sure! Thank you for sharing your thoughts here on Cheryl's site. The Lord will provide, no matter what!
    Blessings to you and to Cheryl!

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  5. Deborah, inspiring post. God can always take what the enemy means for evil and turn it for our good. Thank you for encouraging us with your thoughts! Thank you Cheryl!

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    1. Thank you for your sweet visit and kind words, Pam!

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  6. An inspiration to us all, uplifting and encouraging.

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  7. Thank you, Deborah, for sharing your insights about these current times. Yes, we can grow in the Lord during this period of isolation and still find ways to love our neighbors. May the lessons stick far beyond the quarantine!
    Blessings to you and to Cheryl!

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  8. Yes, yes. More love, more prayer, more simplicity, more encouragement!

    For such a time as this ...

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  9. Enjoyed reading this post. Thanks for sharing Deborah. Hugs and blessings to you Cheryl.
    Cindy

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    1. Many hugs and blessings to you, too, Cindy!

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  10. Oh this was SO good! I just love Deborah so much...in fact, she is the ONLY blogger that I've met face to face when we met in NC over a very nice dinner. I also have her book...I appreciate her openness, devotion to the Father and her well thought out writing. I am so pleased to see her featured as a guest blogger today! I pray that you and your family are getting safely through these strange times we are living in. It still doesn't seem real to me in some way. We will be making a trip to NC next week for some appointments and procedures at Duke and I have already been informed that I will need to be tested (drive-thru...can you imagine?) a couple of days before my procedure. Not looking forward to that! Take good care, dear Cheryl!

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    1. Oh, now neat that you and Deborah have met! SO precious! God please bless you and be with you during your medical tests this coming week, sweet friend. You take good care, too, and be safe! I am praying for you and sending hugs your way. :)

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  11. I so agree with Deborah, in that there’s so much good that will come out of this pandemic. Deborah and I actually were able to meet several years ago when she came to Texas for a wedding. She is such a dear, and I so cherished our time together. It was like we’d known each other forever. I have the book that Deborah wrote. What a blessing it was to read Deborah’s positive, encouraging words. Thank you to Deborah, and to you, Cheryl, for sharing with us. God bless both of you.

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    1. Oh, how wonderful! You are the second person who has commented who has met Deborah in person! That is so wonderful! And, I didn't realize she wrote a book, so I will have to check that out. She is obviously such a huge blessing to all of us, and we all share a love and admiration for her. Thank you for your sweet visit and kind words, Kitty!

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  12. I for one need all the encouragement I can get so thank you Cheryl for posting these interviews and thank you Deborah for being willing to bring truth in practical ways we can use during this hard time.

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    1. I am so thankful to know you are finding comfort and encouragement here, Betty. Many blessings to you in these trying times.

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    2. Hi Cheryl,I can not believe I am here again.Have missed you all so much..My Husband worked on my computer got it half way working and now he controls it but I did find my way back to you.And did I ever need this blog..I have been so scared I hardly know what to do.I lost all but one of my jobs and feel I am in a prison that will never let Me go..So I really needed this so much..Thanks for keeping up the good work.Hope all 3 of you are safe and well.Keep Me in your prayers.Easter was so different..To be home but I had phone church with 33 folks . I called read God's Word and sang a song and had prayer with all of them..It was special to me..Have a wonderful rest of week and PLEASE tell Jesus on Me..Love Loads,Elaine

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    3. I was so happy to see your comment! I have been concerned about you and wondering how you are doing. I think everyone feels the same way you do. It is surely a hard time filled with much uncertainty. We are very blessed and grateful. Yes, Easter was very different for everyone this year. I am so thankful you were able to have church by phone. We must keep our eyes on Jesus and know that He will see us through this just as He has always been with us in the past. He will not fail us now. Much love to you, sweet friend!

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  13. Such a great post. I am so thankful I can be spending time with my family during all of this. I feel so much safer at home.

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    1. Yes, I totally agree, Mandy. I am seeing so much good in this precious time at home with my dear family. God bless you and keep you and your family safe and healthy continually, in Jesus' name!

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  14. Deborah's words here are good medicine. I honestly feel very much aligned with her thoughts, and have been very mindful of the good I hope will continue once we start our new normal. Thanks Cheryl and Deborah!

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    1. Yes, they surely are good medicine. I totally agree! May the Lord bless you and keep you and your family safe, Rita!

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  15. Deborah, this is so inspirational. This will be something I will keep to read again and again. Elohim is using you to encourage us during this unusual and trying time.

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