During this time of self isolating it would be easy to feel disconnected even with one’s home church. I have to admit I have had moments that I have felt disconnected even though I can watch online services and devotionals. We the family of Jesus need to realize that someone would love to pounce on this situation. In 1 Peter 5 we read:
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour”
Darkness prowls around like a lion. Let’s put some names to darkness- depression, anxiety, feeling isolated or forgotten, feeling despair, feeling hopeless. That is not to say that mental health issues are a spiritual issue. What is a spiritual issue is feeling isolated and disconnected from Jesus. Jesus has chosen to work through his church.
Being brutally honest, I have had my down moments the past several weeks. I am a people person. I come alive when I am with my students, visiting friends from other countries in their homes, or being with my church family. Being single in a time of self isolating has had its moments. So I want to share a few things with you in hopes that it encourages you to think about others at this time.
My first week self isolating, a married couple from church sent me gluten free chocolate chip cookies delivered from a bakery. The same week another couple from church brought me a cheeseburger and fries and a gift certificate from a popular restaurant in my city.
That same week as I was wondering what would happen after losing three weeks of income due to the virus, I received an anonymous gift of cash in the mail and also received help for rent and bills through a benevolence fund.
The second week of self isolating a friend from church brought me a big bag of frozen chicken and several bags of frozen veggies.
Last weekend a family from church brought me food so I could have an Easter Dinner and also a lot of food from Walmart.
Yesterday a friend from church brought me some meat, some food for Mexican breakfast and SALSA.
I won’t share their names, but if they happen to read this, they know who they are and I pray for God to bless them. I want to protect their privacy.
Why am I sharing about these things? Because when people bless me like this, the first thing I do is thank Jesus that he has blessed me with knowing brothers and sisters in Christ. It helps me to feel connected to my church family and not forgotten. That is a big deal for someone who is in 3 of the at risk groups with the COVID-19 virus.
Moments like the ones I shared are a big boost. The boosts always seem to happen when I need them the most. They help me to keep going as I teach classes online and reach out online to my refugee and immigrant friends.
So dear reader, if God places someone on your heart at this time, please follow through. We as a family can guard against the prowling lion at this time and protect each other. We can also be a vessel of sharing God’s love with those who do not know him.
Thank you for reading. God Bless.
Jesusluvsall's Blog 
So very true! An abundance of blessings to you. ❤ May you continue to be boosted, and boost others 😉
Thank you 🙂
How are you?
Doing okay thanks. Missing hugging though
but otherwise, fine 😉
Me too. Hugs are wonderful
I’m so thankful that Abba remembers you, big brother. I’m so thankful that He uses others to bless and encourage you tangibly.
Thank you little sister. How are you?
Np. Doing alright. How’s it on your side?
I love reading these kinds of posts.
Thank you. I am glad you haven’t lost your internet for a week. 🙂
You’re welcome!
Yeah, me too!
You know what?
I changed my mind… I want some homework.
🤗
You can laugh at me, but I’m not joking!
I’m so glad to hear that you are being looked after! I understand those dark feelings so well. I began feeling so down the other day because I felt as if no one in my whole church cared about me, only TWO people out of the dozens who had I had ministered to or been friends with had even bothered to check in with me this past month. So I began to wallow in self pity. This is exactly where the enemy wants us in this time!
We must keep guard against Satan’s lies! We’re ALL feeling alone and forgotten. The best thing we can do right now is to, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, and humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others!”
When we wallow in our feelings we are no good to the world, but when we reach out to bless others we “shine like stars in a crooked generation”.
I admire you Heather being a busy wife and mom to 5 kids who still finds time to blog and bake! 🤗 God has so much purpose for your life. People sometimes fail us but Jesus never does. You’re so right we can’t give in to Satan’s lies!
Thanks Dawn! That’s a very encouraging thought. Blogging and baking give me joy, and no matter how busy or hard things get, it helps me to become a better person when I take time for them!
You’re welcome! That’s wonderful. I feel the same about blogging. ❤️
I understand how it can be a struggle during this time when you are giving of yourself as a mom, seeing to their online education, taking care of your family. I am glad you share in your blog little sister. Jesus loves you and is always with you.
Thank you!🙂
🤗
The Lord’s blessings are overflowing! He is always present with us. Thanks for sharing! 🤗
I am thankful he is always present with us 🙂
Awesome!! Love these blessings❤️praise to Him!!
Amen little sister. How are you and your family?
We’re good! Enjoying warmer days!!🙂
Yes our crazy Nebraska Aprils lol
No kidding!!!🥴
Thanks for hosting our Zoom meeting today: good to “meet” you! 🙂
Glad you could join. How were the fish and chips?
Good thanks. By the way, I’d like to have a go at the “Donkey, Jesus and His Father” theme for a post of my own if that’s okay? 🙂
yes that is good please include the links for the other bloggers
Your post is a blessing to me. Thank God He always provide and you are an example of this. Thank you for sharing and giving us hope to continue to trust Jesus.
Thank you 🙂
It is on my heart at this time to try to encourage
I’m glad you shared your blessings with us and to know that your friends are checking on you! You have some great friends!
Thank you little sister. It is good to have friend check up on us 🙂
What a blessing to read a post packed with wonderful testimonies of God’s divine provision. Thank you for the reminder that God provides and we should also be a blessing to others.
Thank you little sister 🤗
How are you?
I am doing well. I hope you are doing well today. ♥️
Yes I am 🙂
Smiles. You are really being showered with Love. Glad to know you are. 🙂
Yes, it’s a time to give in whatever way or capacity we can. 💯
Stay strong! I have my moments of disconnect and hopelessness or fear too. But it doesn’t last long. We must remember Jesus already won!!!
Yes Jesus has overcome the world 🙂
It is a blessing that God loves us to the point of meeting our needs! And yes, I have reached out to a couple of people too and they were excited to hear from me and told me they were looking for someone to speak to.
So yes, this is a great reminder!
Blessings💙
Wonderful that you reached out to them
🙇🙏
Amen! Thanks for sharing your wonderful and encouraging post. An outpouring of God’s lovely blessings. 😊
May the Lord continue to richly bless you! God is forever faithful. 🙏