Ever feel God tapping on your shoulder? Last year, my Bible app got stuck on Philippians 4:6. It was more like a knock upside the head than a tap on the shoulder when the verse finally kicked in. I don’t know what it is about my Bible app, but it got stuck again this year on a different verse. The verse this year was Joshua 1:9 (Remember I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid because the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.) For several days, when I opened my app, this is what I read. I felt the tap this time and I snickered, “I hear ya this time.”
So when the Philippines closed their borders for anyone traveling from the United States until January 15th, I remembered to be strong and brave. Let’s be honest, that wasn’t too hard. We would get extra time with Hannah Grace. When the Philippines extended the closing until February 1st, I wanted to worry about Ellis’s school and Tony’s work, but I took a deep breath and said, “Be strong and brave.” Even when I was diagnosed with Covid on January 25th, I turned to that verse. But when Tony and Ellis drove away on February 4th to catch their flight to Manila, I had to hold on to those words like my life depended on it. I couldn’t hug them and that about did me in. I could only wave good-bye from the balcony. I hadn’t spent time with them since January 25th and if I am honest I can’t be sure when I will see them again. I have a flight for the middle of March and, if it is God’s time, I will be on it to see my boys. In the Fall, I ended up being away from them for 4 months. It wasn’t ideal, but we managed and we will manage this again. So, whether it is one month or 4, I will continue to be strong and brave.
I pray that you will hear the little whispers from God. It is amazing what a difference those whispers (or knocks on the head) have made in my life! I am hoping, though, next year my app gets stuck on something a little more uplifting like 1 Thessalonians 5:16 (Rejoice Always!). I mean, can’t we all use a little rejoicing?!
