Let’s Encourage One Another

I don’t have to tell you we live in perilous, difficult, and frightening times.  It’s hard to remain upbeat and positive in the face of the tremendous suffering going on around us.  Some of us are suffering.  We all know others who are suffering.  And we’d have to be dim in the extreme to be unaware of the immensity of pain being experienced right now – this minute – by brothers and sisters in Eastern Europe.

It’s just about too much.

However, I, at least – and you, too, I fervently hope – do enjoy some wonderfully good and fun and pretty things.  Even now.

Several friends have had birthdays in the past few days.  I’m glad – and so are they – that they’re still having them.  These loved ones were made over, taken out to eat, sung to, gifted, etc.  I praise the Lord for each of them.

There are sunsets, one of God’s greatest gifts, in my opinion.  Where I live, they’re beyond gorgeous.  I’d call them spectacular.  I’ve not seen any prettier elsewhere.  I’m so grateful to be here.  And they happen almost every night.  (I’m told the sunrises are just as pretty, but I wouldn’t know about those, occurring  as they do, well . . . so very early in the day!)

Some of you saw a picture I posted on Facebook this week with my cat’s nose in my husband’s plate of food.  While sitting on the table.

I’ve spent years trying to keep Dusty off the table.  I thought Rick was doing the same.  However, recently I’ve noted her increasing boldness and his decreasing fervor in preventing her.  On several occasions I’ve actually said to her, “Dusty, who said you could be on the table?  Did someone invite you up?”  I failed to notice my spouse’s what-now-seems-quite-obvious shiftiness at those times.  He has – yes! – apparently been inviting her up when I’ve not been around, or at least tolerating it and possibly encouraging it.

What could I do but laugh?  My two sweets, in collusion re: meal sharing and time together.

So I’ve been thinking: despite the ugliness and despair that is so prevalent at this time, there’s still much joy to be experienced.  Young people, and even some older, are getting married.  There’s transcendent music.  The sun still shines.  Babies are being born.  There are wonderful books to be read, friends/family to spend time with, food to eat, games to play.  Kittens and puppies.

There are ways to help those less fortunate; to do so enriches them and us.  We can pray, and should be praying for others in their dangerous circumstances.  “Pray without ceasing,” in fact, we’re told (1 Thessalonians 5:17).  Many of us have been doing just that.

If possible, we can give monetarily.  Find a reliable donation vehicle and give what you can.  Every penny makes a difference.

And some are able to actually go to the scenes of need.  I know many who have done so/are doing so.  We should pray for them as well.

But we can and should be enjoying the delights we’ve been blessed with.  No doubt you’re all seeing, doing, listening to things that please and nourish you.  What are they?  I’d love to hear of your blessings in this dark time.  So would others.  I invite you to share, here, how you’re making the best of the challenges facing us and enjoying life in spite of them.

I look forward to hearing from you.  Let’s encourage one another with cheering words (1 Thessalonians 4:18).