Favorite Bible Verse

Well, heck fire! My ancient Toshiba laptop died a peaceful death this morning. It may have contracted covid-19, but I think it just died of natural causes. The screen was very dim yesterday although the brightness was turned up.  I'm going to have to become an Apple convert for awhile and use my husband's I-Mac. We'll see if it sticks.  He's been trying for months to get me to switch, since Apple has fewer problems with hackers.

Anyway, I noticed a fellow blogger (ksrgmck.wordpress.com) keeps her favorite Bible verse in front of her readers.  That triggered me to recall my own favorite, which, I realized, is a good fit for our current conditions.  From Paul's letter to the Philippians (4:6-7): "Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

Last night was one of my toss and turn nights.  The owner of the stable where I board my horse has quarantined the farm.  The wife of one of her husband's coworkers has tested positive for the coronavirus, and Susan is opting to be cautious.  I'm grateful.  She's an excellent farm manager, and keeps a good supply of hay on hand.  She maintains good relationships with her suppliers, and has the flatbed trailer needed for transport.  She will be able to remove the horses' shoes and let them go barefoot if the farrier can't come out.  She is able to do a good deal of vet work, such as wound treatment if, horses being horses, someone gets hurt.

On my good days, I think about the other side of this pandemic being a continuation of our previous lives.  But it won't be.  That's where I need to cling to my Bible verse.  The virus could inflict its devastation on my own family, my barn friends, or my church family.  We simply don't know where this is going or what a 'new normal' might look like.  The only thing I can grab ahold of is my faith in God's providence.  I need God's peace in my heart and mind more than ever.

May your hearts be comforted by prayer.  May you and those dear to you be safe.  May our faith be strengthened, and may we be held in God's almighty hand as our uncertain future unfolds.