Perspective

Bill MacDonald

Just now ·

On my drive home from work yesterday, I took a little detour to the Horseback Road. Got to have a little roadside chat, with a mask on my face, with dear neighbors I’ve known all my life. They were making good use of the warming weather to do some yardwork, with the help of two teens from up the road (KevinandAmy Booker–good to see your boys helping out!).

Then I proceeded to the homestead, where I enjoyed a brief visit with the folks. It was good to see them, get caught up, and pray with them before heading home.

I won’t hide it; I’m feeling the stress of the present situation, not because I’m out of work, but because so many of my friends and loved ones are. I know so many of you that are self-employed and not considered by our state government as “essential” to the pandemic economy, yet you know how vital it is to be back at work to remain solvent professionally and personally. I pray for you. I wonder how you’re doing.

And like countless other families, I marvel at Laurel‘s ability to maneuver through each day with the boys always with her. As other parents know, even at ages 12 and 14, they are just as demanding of her attention in many ways as they were at 2 and 4! It’s draining. We are all drained in so many ways. You, me, us.

I have days when I am full of trust in God’s lovingkindness. You know those Jeremiah 29:11 days, when I remember that He knows the plans he has for us, to prosper us and not to harm us? Yeah. I have those days. And then I have my Job days, when I want to cover my head in ashes and clothe myself in sackcloth and sit in the dust.

Well, yesterday was a sackcloth and ashes day. When Governor Mills announced that it would take all summer to reopen our state for business, I lost my temper. I also lost my perspective. As I sit here writing this, I still heartily disagree with her plan, and I believe she’s wrong. However, I’ve been reminded that “the king makes his plans, but the Lord orders his steps.” So, it’s not the plans of man/woman in which I should trust, but in the wisdom of God. And if I need to know what that wisdom is, I have a Book full of it that I can read anytime. His arm is not weak, his reach is not short, nor is he caught off guard by my present circumstances.

By the grace, love, and mercy of God, this too, shall pass. He will see his people through this trial. We can fight the authorities that abrogate our civil liberties, but we must take care not to make it personal, for our eternal home is of greater value than our present one, and it is for the eternal home that we strive. To God be the glory.