Last Friday, I went to visit my dad at his group home.  We reminisced about many things from when my sister and I were a little girls as his mind was clear and sharp. He shared how hard these days have been due to the isolation from the normal routines of life.  He misses going to church.  He misses participating in a day program for people struggling with Parkinsons.  He misses taking his weekly music therapy sessions.  Most of all, he misses receiving hugs from our family.  He is certain that he has no control over the quantity of his days as the Lord has his days numbered as he does mine and everyone else for that matter.  However, he feels burdened about the quality of his days, wanting to know what to do with time that he does have left.  I feel similarly.  I prayed with him asking the Lord to help him keep his mind stayed on Him.  Isaiah 26:3 says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You.” Oh may the Lord keep my dad’s mind stayed on Him, and may He do that for me as well.  Keeping our minds stayed on Him gives a precious and worthwhile quality to our days.

On Saturday, my sister went to visit our dad.  She had tucked in his Father’s Day card the verse from Exodus 14:14 which says, “The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”  Before our dad opened the card, he was relaying to my sister the story from Exodus when Moses was instructed by the Lord to remain silent and let the Lord do the fighting for Moses and God’s people.  Jennie could not believe it and said, “Dad, open your card and see what verse I put inside.”  He proceeded to open it and read it, and he and my sister stood amazed.  A few minutes later, my dad’s caregiver came out and they told her what happened, and she teared up and said that as she was on her way to work she was praying and pleading with the Lord about what she should be doing with her days in light of all that is going on in the world.  The Lord brought Exodus 14:14 to her as well.  It was a precious confirmation to all three that the Lord is in charge fighting for us and that we have only to be silent.  Oh may we remember that “in quietness and trust is our strength.” Isaiah 30:15

In our silence, may we be fearless and humble, seeking the Lord in prayer with thanksgiving, turning from our sin, while keeping an eye to the sky anticipating Christ’s return, and trusting that He is, at this moment, preparing a place for those of us in Christ Jesus.  In our silence, may we be salt to this broken world remembering that we, in Christ, are salty people.  And in our silence, may we be lights of the world.

Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Philippians 2:14-16 Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life.

Ephesians 5:1-10 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.

As you trust the LIGHT OF THE WORLD, Jesus Christ, to do the fighting for you, how can you be a light to the world?

Blessings to you,

Heather