I had an unexpected emotional release on the drive back from my sister-in-law’s this past weekend. Carpenter Husband and I drove up along with mother Mary for a delicious Thanksgiving meal and my nephew-in-law’s state championship football game at *Lucas Oil stadium in Indianapolis. Which, by the way, they won by a mile. Go, Trojans.

Looking on at Lucas Oil Stadium.

*Masks required, social distancing, sitting in family groups with rows of empty chairs in between.

Engaged with food and fellowship, I didn’t catch all the emails that were coming through on the prayer chain. Some battling pneumonia or COVID-19. One in critical care fighting for his very life. Another in a serious biking accident facing possible paralysis.

Burdened by the suffering of others, some via physical sickness, and others sick of heart, I guess it all sort of caught up with me. As tears began to well up behind my sunglasses, I reached for some paper napkins out of the glove compartment. I couldn’t seem to shake the following thought…

I’m jealous of Dad. Not for what he did in taking his own life. That was tragic and extremely painful, with lasting ramifications. No, I am not jealous of what he did–but, for where he is.

With COVID-19 and its insidious effects, loss of life, loss of livelihoods, loss of normalcy…I’m jealous of Dad.

With freedoms threatened, economic uncertainties, and pastors leaving their pulpits…I’m jealous of Dad.

With worry for children, adult children, grandchildren, and aging parents…I’m jealous of Dad.

With abject poverty, moral depravity, racial tensions, increased suicides, and civil unrest…I’m jealous of Dad.

With political dissension, corruption, and deceptive narratives – whether exaggerated or false…I’m jealous.

With Dad in Heaven, and long settled in by now, he is free from pain, free from sickness, free from death. He no longer has to battle life’s burdens or concern himself with all that is wrong in our world. He rests in the All Made Right and the All Things New.

Sometimes it makes me sad to think of all we may have to face before we get there. Not in a fearful way. Not in an ‘I’m not going to be able to survive this’ way. But, acknowledging there’s much suffering in the world. Evil, too. And sometimes it presses in hard.

Philippians 4:4-6 (NIV). The non-anxious life.

With Mom’s house on the market in Southern California, I suggested what if we started thanking God in advance for bringing the buyer. She said, “Sounds like a good plan!”

When burdened with anxiety, Philippians 4:6 admonishes us to present our requests to God, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving (italics mine). You might call it the ‘ole ‘please and thank you’ approach. 

This is not demanding of God a particular result, but simply following His path for living. As we cast our worldly cares under His protective provision, we are promised the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, the kind that guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (verse 7). That’s a pretty fair trade, I’d say.

For all the above aforementioned concerns, let us put Paul’s words into practice. Continuing in Philippians…
“Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Whatever you have learned, received, heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (verse 8&9)

Day by day. Moment by moment.
On behalf of all standing in need…
Hear our prayers and petitions, oh Lord.
Have mercy on us as we learn to thank You in advance for whatever answers You bring.
You are faithful.
You are with us.
Please and thank You.

In Your Name we pray, amen.

Grace and peace…
Cheri