We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the
soul.
Hebrews 6:19
How is your soul today? I have a
friend who does a weekly meditation called Porch Talk and she always begins
with that question. As I write this, I, like so many of you,
are overwhelmed with so many emotions including: Fear, anxiety, loneliness,
concern for loved ones, family, and friends, and on and on. Who would have
thought that we would find ourselves in 2020 with a pandemic that would shut
everything down? Churches, of all things, would need to find new and
innovative ways of reaching out to its members. Choirs would no longer be able
to sing for fear of spreading the virus to unsuspecting members. Jobs would be
lost and families would find themselves getting in lines at food banks for the
first time.
The latter part of January my sister and I determined that we were going
to need to place my mom in a board and care facility because she would need a
great deal of assistance. How could we have known that a month later we would
not be able to visit her because of the pandemic? Even in this, we were
blessed as I asked God to guide and direct me to the place that
would give her the best care and a place where she would be happy. I still
have concerns about my mom, but I had to put those concerns in God’s hands
and trust that He would put His strong arms of protection around her
and us. I speak to her at least three times a week and she tells me they are
taking very good care of her. If they weren’t she’d tell me that as well.
All of us are dealing with so many issues not to mention racial tensions, the
politics of the day, continuously depressing news cycles, death, and all
the rest. It can all become so overwhelming. Many of us can relate to
Michelle Obama when she speaks of having, “low grade depression”
I ask you again, “How is your soul today?” Just know that God has
been with us at all the stages of life and He will continue to be, “a very
present help in the time of trouble,” through the good, bad, happy and sad. We
are not alone. God is with us.
I am reminded of an old hymn that says, “In times like these you need
a Savior. In times like these you need an anchor; Be very sure, be
very sure your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock! This Rock is Jesus,
yes, He’s the One; This Rock is Jesus, the only one! Be very sure,
be very sure, your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!” (Ruth Caye
Jones, In Times Like These)
James Calhoun