A new day of sunshine is a new reminder to love one and all.
Matthew 5:44-45a
I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good.
His sun rises on the evil and the good. Likewise, our prayers should rise up on behalf of the evil and the good.
I had a delightful Sabbath rest,
a lovely nap outdoors.
What calls you to a garden snooze?
A bit of sleep in the midst of nature. Best rest ever.
Are you following the instructions for frequent hand-washing?
What if there’s no clean water?
According to charity: water, 785 million people in our world lack access to safe water:
“That’s nearly 1 in 10 people worldwide. Or, twice the population of the United States. The majority live in isolated rural areas and spend hours every day walking to collect water for their family. Not only does walking for water keep children out of school or take up time that parents could be using to earn money, but the water often carries diseases that can make everyone sick.”
May 16 is World Vision’s Global 6K for Water, a virtual fundraiser for desperately needed clean-water projects.
Walk, give, pray:
Lord Jesus, You are our Living Water. We pray for these people who live without clean water. Meet their needs–provide the means to collect rainwater, dig wells, install filters, redirect waste and protect resources. Show each of us how we can virtually offer a cup of clean, cold water, in Your name.
Proverbs 21:9 (NLT)
It’s better to live alone
in the corner of an attic
than with a quarrelsome wife
in a lovely home.
It’s simple. A quarrelsome home is never lovely. 
Proverbs 31:27 (NIV)
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her.
The bread of idleness? Nope. I waste my time with decadent chocolate deserts.
Proverbs 24:3-4
By wisdom a house is built,
and by understanding it is established;
by knowledge the rooms are filled
with all precious and pleasant riches.
Fill your house with wisdom, knowledge and understanding — no one will notice your furniture.
We’re all stuck at home.
How’s yours?
Got it under control?
Psalm 127:1 (ESV)
Unless the LORD builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Bless your home. Let God do the heavy lifting.
We’re looking forward to getting our lives back to normal. For some people, normal is long gone. Consider this from The Nation:
“Major world disasters produce multiple ripple effects . . . In the case of Covid-19, the first wave was the global health crisis, still spreading around the world. Next came the stay-at-home requirements and the resulting shutdown of the world economy, resulting in massive job layoffs everywhere. These, in turn, are producing a third wave, possibly even more catastrophic in its outcome: the collapse of global food-supply systems and widespread human starvation.”
It’s hard to know when the time is right to get back to work. Those making the decisions are sheltering in safe places and have more than enough to eat. The outcome of their choices impacts people who are less than safe now and at risk for future disaster.
Lord, may our prayers produce multiple ripples to make this world a safer place–not only for ourselves, but for all those now living on the edge. Avert disaster, we pray, in Jesus’ name.
Survive: continue to exist
Revive: restore, renew
Thrive: grow vigorously, flourish
Lord God, I don’t want to merely survive COVID’s isolation. Revive me during this time. I want to thrive!
