Many people have tried to describe life as we know it right now: odd, unsettling, weird, strange, unnerving. The best one I’ve heard so far was this: a family was going to play some games. The parents said, “Let’s play Life”, so the kid brought back the board game “Pandemic”.

Have you heard of the game pandemic? The world is infected with a virus and you have to come up with a cure to save the world before you all die. Sound familiar?

I’m not sure about you, but I’ve felt my anxiety rise more this week than in many years prior. I’ve reminded myself often to breathe, relax, and to stretch. What is the cause of this? I feel out of control. I feel someone else is calling the shots. Yet, what is ironic about this is the fact that I should be living each and every day like this with God. Each day is another day I release the reins and allow him to call the shots.

We’ve been in our RV the last few days and last night we were going to have bad storms. I saw what was coming and wondered if we had made a mistake by not going home early. In my heart I felt we were going to be fine, but I felt addicted to watching the map just to make sure. I prayed to God that he was going to have to be my strength and comfort — he was going to have to show me he had us.

I looked at the map once more and there was suddenly a blank spot right where we were with the storm all around us. It was like looking at the eye of the storm for a hurricane. All was calm where we were and the rain was everywhere else. Yet, I knew the bad storm was still coming.

I made it another 15 or 30 minutes before I needed to look at the map once more. The wind was blowing and I just needed to make sure things hadn’t change. I prayed, “God, I can’t do this all night, I just need one last assurance so I can sleep. Looking at the map once more showed we were going to have some rain, but suddenly the straight line of the storm showed it was breaking right before getting to us. It was no longer a straight line but it had gaps and we were in one of those gaps.

Resting my head on the pillow, I thanked God for answering my prayers for calm and peace. I reiterated to him that I knew it was a simple request, one that wasn’t really necessary, but it meant a lot to me. I find God does this a lot in my life where he takes the time to acknowledge even the small things are important.

Watching the ducks on the water these past few days has reminded me that God cares even for the birds of the air. My little problems are not a nuisance to him and he loves to take care of his children.

While you go about your dailiy routine, in our new routine, this week, would you take time to thank God for the little answer to prayers he provides each day? Take time to acknowledge who created this world where we live. What area of your life do you need to let go and let God lead?

© 2020 Susan M. Sims

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