Normally I use my blog to bring a message that is laid upon my heart in hopes of it finding someone that needs to hear that message. But lately, it’s been hard for me to sit down and put anything down on paper. The past year has taken a toll on me mentally, physically and spiritually. The days pass at a lightning pace in a snail race. I can’t remember what day it is because they are all the same now. The things that made life normal are changed or don’t exist at all anymore. It has made people ask me several times, are you still there?
2020 started off like any other year. The first couple months were filled with the kid’s school and sports. We were moving along without a care in the world. Life was normal! The normal all started to change for us in March. A tornado ripped through the Nashville area taking out two of the schools that are in our county. Thank God it happened in the middle of the night. Had it happened during the day, the schools would have been filled with kids and there probably would have been several students and teachers lost. That tornado knocked out power and phone service to the area for weeks leaving others to ask, are you still there?
As if a tornado ripping up the city I live in was not hard enough, the world came to a screeching halt due to a mysterious illness. The pandemic caused governments to shut down businesses and made it where everyone was to stay at home. Schools were closed, jobs were lost and normal activities were stopped until the “experts” could figure out how to handle the virus. The two weeks turned into month after month of waiting on answers from the powers that be. There was never a clear directive on when things would go back to normal. The mental stress of not knowing what to do or how this would affect people caused people to take drastic measures. Families were cut off from each other for months on end. They didn’t know the emotional state of loved ones and asked again, are you still there?
The year of tragedy hit very close to home as well. My grandparents lost not one but both of their sons during the pandemic. Both of them were not in the best of health, but they both passed away in a hospital alone. A family of five was cut down to three in a matter of months. Now my grandparents only have the pictures and memories to hold onto until they are reunited again someday in glory. Life is too precious not to take a moment to tell your loved ones that you love them before you are asking for the last time, are you still there?
As I said earlier, this past year has taken its toll on me spiritually as well. And I know I’m not the only one that feels this way. With all the shut downs and stay at home orders, the churches have closed to in –person services. Most of them have done a good job adapting and going virtual, but church is more than a sermon and music. Without the fellowship that goes along with church, are you really getting the most out it? The past nine months, I have seen my walk slipping and my relationship getting weaker with every passing day. I know this is a me problem but it still makes me ask the question, God, are You still there?
I don’t make resolutions at the beginning of a new year, but I will answer that question. Yes, God is still there. He never left. I was the one that allowed the situations around me to pull me away from Him. Instead of looking to Him for the answers, I turned away and asked are you still there? I was looking in all the wrong directions instead of being still and listening to Him. He is the same today as He was yesterday and will be tomorrow. All we have to do is quit asking if He is still there and start listening for Him. When we start listening for that still, small voice, we will probably here this simple question from Him. Are you still there?
I usually end all my posts with a prayer about the post and for anyone reading it, but not this time. I am going to ask for prayer for myself and anyone else that needs help in hearing God today. I would ask that if you need prayer, then message me or comment on this post so I can make a list and pass it on to the pastors I know. I want to be able to have anyone that needs prayer to be added to a list to be prayed over. Next time you hear, are you still there, I hope you can respond with Yes Lord I am.
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