It has been a couple of weeks since I took this photo, but every once in a while I skim over it looking for another picture on my phone. I marvel at the beauty of that particular morning and remember how amazed I was at the beauty the fog created. I almost missed it. I was in a hurry to get to work, and I almost missed the opportunity to capture the beauty. The picture doesn’t even begin to do it justice, but the memory of this morning will now be embedded in my brain for a long time to come. I thought to myself, “There will be a sunrise picture I can get another day.” Then, I felt prompted to take 30 seconds, pull over to the side of the road, get out my phone and capture the moment. There will be other “sunrises” in my future, but there was just something about THAT particular moment that needed to be documented. I didn’t realize it at the time, I just thought I had a cool picture, but God would later encourage my heart by using this image of that beautiful morning.

For most of us, the last seven months have been filled with uncertainty and confusion. Just when we think we have the new rules figured out, they change. Pandemic, quarantine, social distancing, mask mandates, school opening, school closings, events canceled, isolation, vaccines, a rise in mental health statistics, job loss, not to mention an election. SO many lions and tigers and bears, OH MY! I felt I was doing okay through all of this; however, recently I have noticed a change in my attitude. These past several weeks have been an emotional roller coaster. I am a Christian who loves her Jesus fiercely, but this... this uncertainty is overwhelming to say the least.

My musician husband made a comment the other day that made my heart sink. He was asked if he is playing anywhere, and his response was, “Well, I get to write a lot of opportunities on the calendar, but then I get a call and they get canceled.” Canceled! That is what I feel like the last several months of life have felt like. Nothing to do, nowhere to go, and nothing to look forward to. I used to get excited about life events, but now I find myself falling into a trap -- the one several others have unintentionally fallen into because they have been lured into that snare by negativity. On social media, people are stomping their feet, complaining because group events are not being canceled and that people in authority should have taken everyone’s welfare into consideration. In the next statement they are shaking their fists of complaint because of canceled events their son or daughter is missing out on. I am not scolding. I have had my questions and concerns too, but there is such a bigger picture that we are unable to see with our eyes.

God used a foggy morning to show me there is still beauty all around us if we will take our eyes off the pandemic of our surroundings and truly look. Look to the Son. See that he is good. We used to complain because we were too busy, then complained that we had nothing to do. Pull the frustration bus over for 30 seconds. Capture the beauty of your surroundings. Read a book to your toddler. Watch the joy on their face as they are intrigued by your wisdom. Cherish your husband’s smile as he laughs at your silly antics. Take a few seconds to love on your fur baby who longs for nothing more than for you to throw a ball to them or to cuddle on your lap. Walk outside. Look at the colors on the trees as the seasons change. Thank God for all that He has done. Write a letter to a friend encouraging her to keep her eyes on Jesus. Storm heaven with prayers for your schools, co-workers, and city officials.

Friend, I am with you! I hear you! I am praying for you! I want you to be encouraged. I know life is foggy right now, but there is still so much beauty around us if we really look. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Let him fill you so full that there is no room for negativity and complacency. I know it has been a long haul so far, but take a deep breath, grab you some grace, and keep fighting the good fight. We are all in this together. I pray you feel the peace that passes all understanding covering you. We may not see things clearly right now because of the fog around us, but if we keep our eyes on the ultimate prize, we cannot fail.

2 Corinthians 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.