Recent Reflections - September 2020: The Upcoming Unknowns

 

This is the ninth Recent Reflections post of 2020.  Recent Reflections goes live the third Friday or Saturday of each month. {Sorry for the late post - it was a busy week!}  Each Recent Reflections post covers something that I'm reflecting on.  If you'd like to share a post with a similar theme, feel free to leave a comment with a link to your post, and I'll hop on over and leave a comment (and maybe some other readers will, too).

This month, I will be reflecting on the unknowns that are up and coming. 

2020 has been quite a year.

COVID-19 turned everything on its head, and it is still affecting so many things.  There are so many questions floating around right now.  Will we reach herd immunity on our own?  Are we already at herd immunity and don't know it?  Will there be a resurgence soon?  Will we have a vaccine?  Will said vaccine be safe?  Will we ever get back to normal?  There are thousands of unknowns surrounding COVID-19, but I know I can trust those to God, and just live my life responsibly to the best of my ability.  

We have an election coming up.  No one knows what will happen.  Will we wake up with the same president or a new one?  Will we even know who the president will be when we wake up?  Will there be riots?  Will there be protests?  Will there be more division?  Who's to say.  But God is still there, He is ultimately in control of all situations, and I will trust Him with this unknown, too.

My middle kid is coming up on a year of mysterious health issues.  He has his good days and bad days.  He is facing possibly having his gallbladder removed (we consult with the surgeon in a little over a week).  He is having an EEG to see if he's been having seizures in a few days.  He is facing more labs and possibly more tests and maybe even a specialist or 2.  We pray for his healing, but also trust God to do what is ultimately best, so we accept that God's best may not mean an easy road for our son nor healing.  God has a plan for our son and for us, and we will rest in that.  God will provide the answers that are needed...and no more.  That is a rough reality some days, but there is peace in seeing God giving His peace to Sean and that brings peace to our hearts as parents.  Sean trusts the Lord completely and isn't worried, so why should we be?  I know he gets scared - he is still human - but to see his faith strengthens mine.  God is always there in the darkest of hours, and He loves our son more than we do, too, so I know He can be trusted in all aspects of Sean's life.

I am still dealing with my own health issues.  God has given wisdom, and I have mostly good days, but it is a trial to keep it that way.  There have been so many dietary changes and rules.  I have a referral in to see 1 specialist, and I could end up seeing 2 or 3 more.  There are times I am downright scared.  There are times I cry with frustration.  In those moments, my God whispers to my heart, "I'm right here.  It's going to be ok."  Those moments bring such peace.  Oh, I know I may not be ok.  I may have a less than wonderful diagnosis awaiting me, but that is not for me to know today.  Today, I am to trust God.  Even if that day comes, I am still to trust God.  Somehow it will still be ok, even if it is not.  I can't explain that truth, I just know it is so.  It has always been ok, even when it hasn't been, because God is there with me.  He is truly all I need.

So many people I know right now are facing health issues of their own or of a close friend or family member.  They are struggling, and it breaks my heart.  I praise the Lord, though, that so many of these friends and family members love the Lord and lean on Him.  I have seen God's peace in their lives, and it is such a comfort to know that they feel that peace.  I pray for them all, and I ask mostly that God will send comfort and grace, and that they will know He is there.  It makes all the difference in the world.

I am struggling with keeping up with this blog lately due to all the things my family has been juggling lately, mostly due to health issues.  I am struggling to figure out new recipes because of all of my new dietary restrictions and to get my features posted on time (I do apologize for that, too, by the way).  It has been hard for me to balance life with blogging in general, and I'm coming to the realization that I may have to put some things with my blog on hold for awhile.  It is something I will be praying about, and I will let you all know my plans for the blog by year's end.  I have no intention to discontinue this blog for now, but I may have to come up with a new plan for it (features less often, namely).  We'll see.  I don't want to disappoint those who rely on some of this information (namely the allergy information and recipes), but I have to do what is best for me and mine, too.  I know God will give me wisdom in even this, and I will trust Him in this, too.

If you are facing an unknown situation, and you're a Christian, I encourage you to give it over to the Lord.  Let Him lead you.  He won't steer you wrong.  {If you're not a Christian and have no idea what I'm talking about, take a moment to read this.  If you have further questions, feel free to reach out to me, and I'll do my best to answer your questions.}

I truly hope this post has been a help to you, or at the least made you stop and think a little.

Maybe you want to share something in comments that God has done in your life recently to bless you as a means to be an encouragement to others during these trying and difficult times?  Feel free to do so.  Positivity and blessings are always welcome!  

What are you reflecting on?

Have a wonderful weekend!