What I learned during COVID

I'm wrapping up approximately 6 weeks of Shelter-at-Home from COVID, as I imagine you are, too. (Well, maybe not those in Michigan. So. Sorry. Praying for you all.)

My habit is to wrap up months and seasons with reflection. What did I learn? What was life giving? What was life draining? How can I stay away from life draining?

You know, all the things. Here is what I came up with:

1. I'm a former toilet paper snob. So sad, but true. I had one brand I liked; if the store was out of it; no problem, come the weekend when I traveled to the state my church was in, I'd buy it at a store there. (I live in a tri-state area.) Then came 'Rona 2020 and I'm buying whatever brand I can get my hands on. Turns out the two comparable brands to my favorite are actually nicer! Who knew?

2. The excuse I told myself about being able to write more when I worked less hours is a lie. Truth is, I can crank out more words when my mind is in the right frame of mind. The hours I work actually have nothing to do with it.

When words are burning on your heart? You find time to write them!

3. I'm living my best life right now. I do not want to be insensitive to those who are suffering during this time; but I can only report what is happening to me. I've always said I could be a hermit. And now, I know. It is true.

4. I loved sharing with my bible study students via morning devotionals. For the writer in me, it was a great way to connect. But I must admit, since my church opened back up, face to face is better. You get feedback!

5. The main lesson I learned during COVID-19 is this: Don't be so busy. I have to admit I'm still working this out in my life. Rest is hard for someone like me. But I have to trust God that 6 days of work is enough.

Everyone is talking about what life will be like once all restrictions have been lifted. I don't think it will ever be exactly the same - and that can be a good thing.

What I hope and pray for my world is this: Let us each be more intentional about how we spend our time.

Let's first seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Then everything else will fall into place.

What has been your experience these last few months?

~~~

I'm sharing this with the communities at

Grace & Truth

What We Learned

Inspire Me Monday

#TellHisStory

InstaEncouragements Link-Up

#TuneInThursday

April is past ... What's next?

Most months, I like to write a post reflecting on the highlights of the past 30 days, adding up the joys and concentrating on the lessons learned.

I feel that reflections on the month of April might take a long time to process. One of the things I heard myself and others say was this: "We've never been here before!"

I feel it's important to describe how April looked for me and see if there is anything to be learned from my experiences. I invite you to do the same, and let me know if you can relate.

If we are still around 20 years from now, we might be reminiscing with our grandkids about the 'Rona virus of 2020. I might say things like:

• Your MiMi spent a lot of time scouting out toilet tissue. She didn't know then how important it was to have at least 2 dozen rolls in stock at all time. Why, in those days, it was pretty well standard that when you put the last roll on the toilet paper holder, you added it to the grocery list and bought more within the next day or two.

• PaPa's first mask was black. He didn't want to wear it because he felt like he resembled a bandit!

• MiMi's mask made her glasses steam up.

• Grocery shopping was an adventure. Only one person at a time could go into the store. You had to keep 6 feet of space at all times between you and the other shoppers. You never knew what you were going to find! It made sense for somethings to not be in stock; other things you couldn't determine why. (For example, our family's favorite brand of pork and beans necessary to our famous stove-top baked beans has been missing for at least 7 weeks. Also? PAM cooking spray and Queso cheese! But I digress.)

• The worst thing was we could not go to church and see our friends. You couldn't have family parties and picnics. You couldn't go out to eat because there was a thing called SOCIAL DISTANCING!

• Also, this is the time the fashion trends, "Silver Roots," and "Skunk Stripe" took off.

Seriously, twenty years from now, I'll be able to talk to my grands like adults so I might also relate these things:

• I felt guilty because while others were suffering, I was living my best life. I loved staying home. I was blessed because my church considered my job essential (basically because we were opening the basement up every day for the food pantry) and I worked half days and worked at home and still got paid.

• I thought I would get sooo much done but there were days it was tough to function. Not sure why, except that uncertainty is a crushing weight that stifled all iniative to accomplish anything.

• Some days it was easy to listen to the negative.

• What helped more than anything was dwelling on the Word. Psalm 91 felt prophetic and was on everyone's lips. Psalm 23 was also a lifeline ... "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." Depending on the translation you were looking at, it could also say, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need."

• I also put several versions of the song WayMaker on repeat, reminding myself, "He never stops, He never stops working."

• There were also good days. Sometimes, I would take care of something that had been piling up and I'd feel so good! Yeah! 

• My favorite thing accomplished in April was that I decided to send out email devotionals each morning to my bible study class. I love sharing the Word. This is an ongoing project, and if you'd like to get in on receiving them, leave me a message in the comments. The more the merrier!

• But the main thought in my mind during April was this: Let me not waste this time I've been given!

Now it's May. I'm in a unique position because I live and work in one state and go to church in another state. My church is opening up this weekend for services, yet I'm still working half days and living under a stay-at-home mandate.

Like I said, I'm living my best life.

Whatever May brings, I know my Shepherd will guide me through it.

What about you? Have you found it tough to function? Have you found scripture to anchor you during the flood of negative? Could I pray with you? I'd be honored if you'd share.

~~~

I'm sharing this post at Inspire Me Monday and
#TellHisStory
InstaEncouragements Link-Up
Recharge Wednesday

Let's Have Coffee

Goodbye, 2019!

Looking back on a year makes me think of the saying we ascribe to the month of March, "The month of March comes in like a lion but leaves like a lamb." (According to the Farmer's Almanac, this is a hope for balance rather than a weather predictor.)

A new year comes in with great fanfare containing hopes, dreams and resolutions. By the time the year is ready to leave us, we glance back and remember the high points, but basically, we are ready to move on. We are always sure the new year will be better.

This post is all about looking back on 2019. My next post will list my top posts for 2019 and the lessons learned. The third post of the year will be about welcoming 2020.

The major highlight of the year for our family was Malia and Gavin's October wedding. It was beautiful and turned out the way they wanted.

My theme for 2019 was believing that goodness and mercy was chasing me down. (See Psalm 23:6) And that is exactly what happened with the medical issues that faced my family in 2019. Goodness showed up and all things were resolved.

Shouts of praise here in the Midwest!

What I learned in 2019

2019 was also the year our church tried an experiment - giving up midweek services for twice monthly Family Nights. Again, just like 2019, the idea arrived with big fanfare and ideals, but quietly packed its bags by December and left.

I'm proud of us for giving it a try! Realistically speaking, people are too tied up with family activities to make more church on the weekends work. 2020 will see us back to having midweek services, but with a slightly different format. More on that later.

My personal emphasis for 2019 was more writing and more walking.

I did write tons; but didn't get my book finished. I even took a week off to accomplish it but it was a bigger story than I thought. The good news is, ideas are still flowing and the end is in sight.

I bombed at walking. There's no getting around it. The last half of the year, it was embarrassing to even record the amount of steps I took. But I soldiered on and wrote them down anyway, because the truth is, I'd give up altogether if I didn't make some kind of effort. Onward 2020!

I discovered in 2019 my main obstacle to reaching my goals.

In a word, "hurry."

I heard John Mark Comer say in a podcast, "The effect of hurry on the soul is devastating …" He went on to quote Dallas Willard, “Hurry, the greatest enemy to our spiritual life in our day and you must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.” 

Those words resonated with me as soon as I heard them. I live in a constant state of hurry. Always beneath the surface is a little voice reminding me of the next thing to be done.

That voice must be shut down!

Do you experience the same? Stick with me in 2020 as I examine ways to eliminate hurry and share what I learn.

How was your 2019? Leave a comment and share. Comments are treasured here at the Journey.


I'm linking this post to the community at #TuneInThursday

November reflections

May I interrupt your day with this announcement? We have 28 days left in this decade.

That is all.

Go on with your regular schedule. I'm just going to camp out here and think a bit.

Frankly, I don't remember being as reflective when the year 2000 arrived. Perhaps because Y2K was a thing and that was all the chatter.

But the world went on, and twenty years later, we are about to enter into a new decade. 

For some reason, I just feel 2020 is going to be momentous.

You're probably wondering, "Jerralea, this seems like a December reflection more than a November one."

You're right. So, let's look back on November.

Something That Made Me Smile

As usual, this category is all about the grands. Behold the twins idea of how to roast a turkey:

Something That Made Me Think / Something that Spoke to Me

I don't want to get too wordy, but this category makes me want to go on and on. November is the month I've been obsessed with the idea of Sabbath.

I know, I know. 

Sabbath is an idea that has been around since the beginning of time. A couple years back, I read Shelly Miller's "Rhythm of Rest," and joined her email group, The Sabbath Society. Yet I'm just now seriously working to apply it to my life.

(What does that say about me, a life-long attender of church, just now getting serious about the subject. And, why does the church not teach more about it?)

Currently, I'm reading A. J. Swoboda's "Subversive Sabbath." Next, I want to tackle John Mark Comer's new book, "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry." I'm sure I will be sharing more and more about this as time goes on; but for now, a couple quotes to meditate on: 

“God relentlessly pursued us because all he ever wanted was to be with us.”

John Ortberg, seen here

and, 

Dallas Willard called “hurry, the greatest enemy to our spiritual life in our day and you must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.”

... heard here

Relentless and ruthless - not giving up nor letting anything stand in your way ....

A Win For The Month

I'd gotten behind both at work and here at home. I'm happy to say November saw me get caught back up ... just in time for the end-of-the-year hustle.

Share a favorite picture

How about you? What's been going on in your world? Leave a comment and share!

I'm linking up at Emily P. Freeman's post, What We Learned This Fall and
Recharge Wednesday
#TuneInThursday

August reflections...

When I look back at August, I see it was amazingly like July! (You might refer back to my July post to understand the following.)

I'm still enamored with Instagram and involved with growing with my people there.

I'm super excited about learning more about chesed. In fact, I did decide to look up all 247 instances of chesed in the King James Version. Given my time schedule, and my desire. To. Do. All. The. Things, I pledged to myself I would take one verse about chesed a day to study. I'd first write it out by hand. I then would look it up in context - very important! And then, I'd just ask God what He wanted me to get out of it.

Oh, yeah, I also gave myself the weekends off from thinking about it.

Doing the above plan would mean it would take me a year to study it. And that is when the idea of "The Year of Chesed," was born. (It is going to be my next book, Doesn't that sound so "writerly?" "Next book!" Of course, I have to finish the first one first... More about that next month.)

I'm 8 days into studying chesed. I've been uplifted, surprised and challenged. I'm hoping in the future to convey those same thoughts - and more - to my readers.

So, yes, August was the month of Instagram and chesed. How did your August go?

~~~

I'm linking up this post with the following communities:
10 Things I Learned This Summer
Inspire Me Monday
#TellHisStory

May Reflection Journal - #13

Something That Made Me Smile

During Memorial Day, we had lots of goodies at our meal. Cupcakes were on the menu. Brody asked, more than once, for a "pupcake." Could it be because he is so into Paw Patrol that "pup" comes out of his mouth frequently?

Something That Made Me Think

This month has been a month of searching for goodness and mercy in the midst of several medical issues. What a blessing to read Emily Freeman's post, Read This Before Graduation! In it she quoted James Bryan Smith, who says, “the kingdom of God is not in trouble and neither am I.”

I'm reminded once again to have faith that goodness and mercy are pursuing me.

A Win For The Month

I participated in my first Instagram challenge and finished all twelve days.

You can go here to see what I did. You can find me on Instagram @jerralea

Share Something That Spoke To You

This month, Rachel Held Evans, passed away. While I heartily disagreed with her on some things, she and I had in common a love for the church.  Here is one of my favorite things she has said:

“As my friend Ed puts it: “When you join a church you’re just picking which hot mess is your favorite.” 
― Rachel Held Evans, Searching for Sunday: Loving, Leaving, and Finding the Church

At my local church, we had some of our people complete the membership process this month. Thank you for deciding to join our hot mess!

Share a favorite picture

This was really taken in April, but I'm still crushing on this photo of the twins and their aunt TT.

How about you? What's been going on in your world? Leave a comment and share!

I'm linking this post with:

What We Learned This Spring 

Grace&Truth
Inspire Me Monday
Let's Have Coffee

5 things I learned I needed this winter

I needed a planner: For the last couple years, I used bullet journals. I thought I was totally on board with a bujo. I could customize it. I could make it mine. But you know what? It was just too much work, lol.

I didn’t know I wanted a planner, until my daughter bought me one for Christmas. And I fell in love. It’s a lot bigger than my bujo but it fits in my tote bag, and it has room for. All. The. Things.

I’m in love.

I needed another night a week at home: I shared with my readers how at the beginning of the year, my church decided to make a radical-for-us, thinking-outside-the-box, move and cancel midweek services in favor of twice-a-month Family Night fellowship and bible study.

Y’all!

It’s made such a difference! For me personally, it is so helpful to have that extra night. I determined I wasn’t going to waste it, so I moved my laundry day to Wednesday night; and while I wait on spin cycles to finish, I do book-keeping for my second job, thereby creating extra space in my jam-packed Saturdays.

It’s like … more margin in my week!

It’s also been good for the church. There’s been a lot of interest shown in our Family Night, and we’ve had good attendance.

Win-win!

I needed motivation: I attended an online webinar hosted by Jeff Goins and he challenged us to write 500 words a day for 30 days straight. He further encouraged us to do it first thing in the morning.

Seriously? I’m already trying to get up early for my quiet time (or my Daily Offering, as I like to call it). Now, I’m supposed to get up even more early?

They say the definition of insanity is doing the same things but expecting different results. I gave it a try and now I’m on day 49.

I’m not going back.

I needed to hear these words:

Whatever your thoughts are, your brain will work to make it true.

Edie Wadsworth

“Is this a good decision or just an ego decision?” – Jon Acuff

The difference between a professional and an amateur is simple — it’s practice. The amateur quits; the pro never gives up.

… Jeff Goins

I needed a revelation:  It was in January when I felt a whisper from the Lord during one of my quiet times with the Lord.- 

What if you focused in 2019 on believing, really believing, that goodness and mercy was going to chase you down? (see Psalm 23:6)

I took that as a challenge, as my mantra for the next year. Yes, my One Word is consistency (and my motivation of the daily 500 is helping with that goal); but this challenge is good for me spiritually.

I’m on the hunt to see every time goodness and mercy catch up with me.

Take for example, this week. I had several good days – days where I got my work done in record time and had time to do the extras. I had some inspiration regarding my writing. I had encouragement from my life coach (which is a new journey I’m embarking on). I had great participation and interest in the class I’m teaching on the book of Daniel.

Life is good. I’m holding onto that thought because if I listen to the news and see the awful events unfolding in our world, I could get glum … really glum

Instead I choose to believe what God has said: In 2019, goodness and mercy is going to chase me down.

Won’t you join me in that belief?

~~~

Today, I'm linking up with the communities at Emily P. Freeman's What We Learned this Winter, Crystal's #FreshMarketFriday, and Grace&Truth

What I learned in 2018

2018 was a momentous year in which many things happened, and I learned some things.

One thing I learned was not to say this, "Tomorrow will be summing up 2018 as I share what I learned." and then two days later actually write the post. (I thought I had learned to never mention a post unless I had already written it!)

As I reported on Thursday, my One Word for 2019 was consistency. So I then revealed on Friday, my lack of follow through. So now you know, I chose my word wisely.

Today is a new day; however, and I will press on.

When I look back on my life in 2018, three things stand out: our first ever full family vacation to Florida - with all grandkids; my joining virtual writing and Mastermind classes; and our decision as a church to close down midweek services in favor of bimonthly Family Nights.

I'm beyond glad we took that Family Vacation - although we learned some things NOT to do - because, unknown to us, that would be the last time to visit in that location. Mom began to feel her place was becoming too much for her budget and decided to put her house up for sale. She was hoping it would sell in the spring of 2019; but no, it sold and the closing date was three days after Christmas 2018!

We know it was God's will because we all prayed it would not sell if that was not His best for her.

Now, we will be visiting Mom in East Tennessee where my sister lives. I love it there and will be able to go more frequently than when she lived in Florida.

Still, it's good-bye to an era. My family moved to Florida about 50 years ago and I always thought of it as home.

For me personally, attending the virtual writing class and the subsequent Mastermind class, was a game changer. It gave me the courage to step out and publish a serial of my work of fiction, ANGEL ON ASSIGNMENT: The Book of Morgan. Although I have not seen the results, yet, that I hope to see from the project; I have high hopes of developing it into a series of books, chronicling the adventures of both the characters I've already created and ones still to be birthed. 

I have much to say about my study of the Mastermind class wherein we studied John Maxwell's 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth and that will be the subject of some posts down the road. For now; I can sum up the message in the book in three words:  DO IT NOW. 

Quit putting things off!

Truly, the most momentous event of all might well be the change in our church schedule. I've been attending midweek services for 48 years.

Our church board, of which I am a member, decided to think outside the box and take the plunge into a new schedule. Midweek services weren't working for our little church. Most of our members live a fair distance from the church and it was hard to be on time, driving there after work and other responsibilities. Attendance had been dwindling for years; yet we are growing and thriving in areas such as Sunday School and morning worship. We had an influx of families with elementary-aged kids. We decided Family Night twice a month, where we eat together, have a Children's Church-type service for the kids and a bible study for the adults might be the answer to building community. Our first one is tonight, and I'm excited!

With this change comes a rearranging of my schedule; and frankly I'm looking forward to one more night at home a week. I'm endeavoring to put things I've learned from Shelly Miller's book, Rhythms of Rest: Finding the Spirit of Sabbath in a Busy World, into practice. I don't want to waste this extra time I've been given.

What about you? Did your year fly by as quickly as mine? Did it bring you new visions and new ideas? I'd love to know! Leave a comment and share!


I'm linking this post up at the communities of Grace&Truth and #FreshMarketFriday.

Summer Lessons

A Foggy August Morning

I already knew this, but had this lesson reinforced in my brain in August:

God Still Answers Prayer!

I received word of not one, but two, amazing miracles this month.

About nine weeks ago, my nephew, who had a drug problem, got ahold of a “bad drug.” He ended up in the ICU with liver, heart and kidney damage and was on a ventilator. Things looked grim. Doctors thought he would be needing dialysis for the rest of his life because they felt he could never make the kidney transplant list.

Our family asked for prayer from believers far and wide. Today, his liver is healed, his kidneys are healed, he is off dialysis and out of the hospital. He still has a way to go; but we are praising God for hearing our prayers and answering. Best of all, he is testifying to God’s goodness, attending church, and is in a Celebration Recovery group.

About this same time, I received word of another amazing story.

In mid-June, a prayer request came in for our prayer team at church to pray for a friend’s 19-year-old son who had suffered a heat stroke in Texas. His temperature had risen to 108° and he endured multiple strokes. Days later we received word doctors said the boy was brain-dead and advised ending life support. We all prayed for the family for comfort and assumed the boy died.

Never assume!

Weeks later, we learned he was alive, Not only alive, but in a wheelchair conversing with family. We were sent a picture of him waving at us!

Then a couple praise-the-Lord’s on a smaller scale:

We have been waiting fo-evah for a check from our insurance company on Jim’s medical tests from LAST fall. I was thinking to myself … “Time to scope out a different company when open enrollment happens.”

I prayed a couple weeks ago, “Lord, please let us get a check this week. You know we have all these bills and also need some work done on the van, At least $400 would take some pressure off.”

The next day, the check came.  $1300!

God is good.

So, the van was put in the shop with an estimate quoted of $420 to fix the problem.

Total Bill: $148!

He’s good all the time!

I share all this to encourage YOU. You can take all your needs to Him. Will the answer always be Yes? No, sometimes it won’t be in our best interest for God to say Yes. But if you are a believer, you can be assured He hears and He will bring good out of every situation you are in. (I’m not making this up – read Romans 8:28.)

And sometimes, He has an even better answer than what we requested.

Going a Different Direction

This summer, I’ve been privileged to be part of a Writer’s Club led by a local author. It’s been a game-changer for me.

As my readers know, I mostly write devotional type essays along with a good dose of memoir. (I always figured this stuff happens for a reason, I might as well write about it.)

But the Club has opened my eyes up to possibilities of writing fiction. I’ve been dipping my toe into the waters, so to speak, and I’m finding it tons of fun.

In the last week, inspiration has struck. I’m working on a project so consuming, yet exciting, it has swallowed up my available writing time – hence the quietness on the blog.

There will be posts o’plenty during the month of October when I join the Write 31 Days challenge, so please stay tuned!

Has August been a month of answered prayer and inspiration for you, too? I’d love to know how it’s going for you. Leave a comment and share, or link your own post to Emily’s 

What I Learned This Summer community.

~~~

I’m honored you stopped by the Journey today!

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I'm also linking this to #FreshMarketFriday and Grace&Truth.