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Lately, with economic, medical, political and spiritual upheaval, in my set-aside nightly time of being silent and listening, a thought floated through. None of this is upheaval is new – it is just new in a different way than we have experienced.
 
Our parents, grandparents, even back to Biblical times there were wars waged. Food, jobs and even clothing was scarce. Locusts and dust storms destroyed crops. People got sick from a variety of plagues and medical challenges, even pandemics.  Do we read or did we hear them complain?
 
Well, as a matter of fact we did. Think of the biblical passages telling of the grumbling of lack of food/manna and the grit and grime of sand. Maybe you read about the outcomes of the Spanish Flu of 1918 where 1/3 of the world’s population was infected.  I’ve heard stories from elders in my family who shared stories of people with the “grumpies.” during the 1929 stock market crash and Great Depression  into the 1930’s.  Just this week I have heard more than my share of people sporting ‘badattitudes’ complaining about how the world stands today.
 
Laying quietly, still listening, even with everything swirling about, I had a peace that filled every crevice of my being. PEACE. A peace no mortal person could ever give me. Then I drifted off to sleep. (Hey – I can only be silent and listen for so long! Being a geezer is tiring at times!)
 
The next morning, getting comfy with my coffee and settled in my recliner for my “well-filling-time,” I read Psalm 46:5a: “God is in the midst of her – she will not be moved.” The verse was followed by words that Hannah Whithall Smith penned: “Is it possible for us who are so easily moved by earthly things to come to a point where nothing can upset or disturb our peace? The answer is yes.” (Streams in the Desert)  
 
 Was the peace that I was encountering a result of intentionally choosing to believe God and His Word (not just “in” Him) and am standing firm in Who and what I believe? The answer is YES!
 
What about you?

​Never Give Up
 
For those of you who know me, you know that I can be tenacious at times – or is that “stubborn”?
 
Whichever way you choose to look at how I’ve the walk I’ve walked, faced the challenges we’ve faced, I want you to know that the ONLY way I can make it is by remembering:
 

1. Each new day is a gift. A present. In the present.
2. Each and every day we will face situations that we may not feel prepared for, nor remembering to ask for the task at hand.
3. Each new day, we have a choice on what kind of “tude” we will sport – a bad-attude, a glad-atiude, a sad-attude. Whatever ‘”tude” you choose, will be what you show the world around you – your family, friends, colleagues, employers, but most importantly, God himself.

We may try to rationalize that our prayers aren’t heard, that God isn’t listening. For if God did hear, He would have answered.  
 
What I have learned is, I may not have answers to the many prayers I’ve prayed, but God holds the “timer” and answer, and it isn’t the time for that prayer to be answered. But is does not give us an excuse not to pray.
 
2021 looks to be an interesting one. No one person’s difficulties or prayers are more urgent or important than another’s. As we heard so many times in 2020: “We’re all in this together.” So join me, will you, as we pray our way, praise our way, and worship our way through the year – no matter what daily life battle we find ourselves in. Let’s celebrate our differences, agree to disagree if need be, but don’t let it rob you of the blessing of friends and friendships.
 
Look at the palm of your hand. What and where will your influence take you. And if you aren’t sure? God’s communication line is open 24/7, and you will never get a busy signal, nor put on hold. 

                     After the final NO,  there comes a YES.  
                   It is on that YES the future of this world depends.
                                                      So:

• When you hear the final “NO”, will you be open and STILL enough to hear the “YES”?
• Will you believe in yourself enough to KNOW that YOU are part of what today’s world depends upon?
• Are you willing to block out all the naysayers, and boldly step out and do your part, willing to put yourself out there, confidently KNOWING your ‘assignment’ even if others are NOT confident in your calling/assignment?

•  KNOW your YES, and DO it...No matter what the cost. 
  
•  Because you have already counted the cost,  KNOW that because your YES ­is THE "YES", it will be provided for  – pressed down, over-flowing, above and beyond what your wildest imaginations  could ever think was possible?

•  I believe, because of the incredible person I KNOW you to be, that your answers will be your YES. Why? Because the direction and the future of where this world is going depends on your YES, even if others say the final is NO. Why?
• Because YOU are UNSTOPPABLE.