As I read the encouraging end-of-year message in the newsletter last month from Kevin Mooers, our CEF of Peninsula Chapter leader, the sentence that grabbed me was –
As with any crisis, we need to trust God always, and ask Him,
“What do you want us to learn?”
May I share a few things I have seen others learning during the COVID restrictions?
My loved ones and I are learning that time with family (both core and extended) is precious. A fun example has been watching grandsons Ethan and Ben who – instead of playing video games or arguing with one another – are out in the woods behind their house fishing, building lean-to’s out of sticks, learning to make hot cocoa “in the wild”. They are forging a lifetime friendship.
A dear 80-something in our small group at church said, “I learned that I have no control over anything.” She has grown to trust God more this year and is telling others. Her children, nieces and nephews, and grandchildren are watching and asking questions. We can never stop exercising that faith muscle!
My daughter, a nurse, had to struggle with fear that she would harm her family by continuing to work 1 day a week during the worst of the COVID outbreak. She says the verse that meant so much to her was Isaiah 41:10. Her children (4 and 2 years old) learned to sing it with her.
My husband, Jeff, watched the election results with more calm than I had. He is a man of faith, whose words are few, but worth listening to. He expresses the “bottom line” in this concise way, “God is in charge of those who are in charge.”
A friend from Good News Clubs, Jill, has been spending extra time in God’s Word and illustrating with profound stick figures the truths she has found there. Jill gave me several Amazon-printed journals and I am savoring Proverbs right now – reminded that God’s wisdom never changes and can guide us in all circumstances.
Melanie, a GNC leader, saw the needs of youth in her neighborhood this summer during strict lockdowns. She started a Bible study for High School girls. The boys said “What about us?” Parents wanted in, too, then Middle Schoolers. Soon there were 5 different groups meeting weekly to seek God together. Melanie learned God opens doors of opportunity for us to walk through. Ephesians 2:10
Even though numbers are down in the Good News Clubs that are meeting via Zoom, teachers report that the children who attend are eager to learn more about Jesus, our Savior and King.
Our God reigns. He uses hardship to refine His children.
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:7
We would love to hear what God has been teaching you in this year of waiting; you can email me at Martha.Clouse@cefpeninsula.com.
