I happened to briefly catch a video someone posted on Facebook recently of an elderly woman relaxing amongst some sheltering trees. She was answering a question from her daughter. It was a post from a couple years ago, but relevant for today. I don’t recall the exact words, but it went something like this:
“Mom, tell us the reason why you are so calm and full of joy,” the daughter asked. The lovely, white- haired mother smiled and quietly began to answer the question. “You know, she said, we belong to the Lord. He holds our hand. We are not alone. And, He whispers to us, ‘honey, I got this.’”
She continued to smile and remembered a scripture from Matthew 11:28-29:
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for, I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
In a world suffering from the calamity of the coronavirus, I am reminded of another verse:
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10
Are not scientists and doctors worldwide being given wisdom of medications to end the suffering of so many people? Are not people worldwide being given the knowledge to make things like sanitizers out of ingredients that otherwise are made for alcoholic drinks … engineering and delivering masks and vital medical equipment? Is there not singing amongst the suffering Italians who, for many, are rejoicing in the Lord?
Hearts full of love and generosity are reaching out as if in war times because we are indeed fighting a most stubborn viral enemy. My friendly neighbors, for example, are offering their bags of flour, so those neighbors who are out of flour, can make cookies. Other people are checking on their elderly neighbors to make sure they have enough food. People worldwide are offering knowledge of where we can find virtual museum tours and other online exercise and cooking sites. We can even dance to Broadway tunes with Broadway dancers who are wanting to offer their talents to us.
Our hearts are being filled in the midst of our troubles. Family members are playing games together, more people are talking to their loved ones, and so many of us are offering more prayers for each other than we have done in some time. We have become prayer warriors. How are we doing this?
To quote my mother’s favorite verse:
“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.'“ Psalm 121:1-2
The God who made heaven and earth is on our side, giving us the capacity to care. We need to ponder this verse. We cannot lose!
When we trust in the Lord completely, we can say with confidence: He’s got this! We can go on quietly, knowing we are in good hands. His hands!
The daughter listened lovingly to her mother, as the mother’s cadence, light as a feather, floated age-old wisdom on the wistful breezes of that summer’s day.
“He’s coming back you know. He is. The Lord, God Almighty, He’s coming back, so we don’t have to worry,” she said with unwavering confidence. And, she quoted one last verse:
“You will keep him in perfect peace; Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3:
It was at that moment I heard Him, too. “Honey, I got this!”
By Anne Mount