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I feel as though I have been walking around like “Alice in Wonderland”…..awestruck in an imaginary world for the majority of 2020. It seems like it’s all a dream (or nightmare rather). I mean who would think this could actually be the real world we have been living in with this “Coronavirus” pandemic?! Covid-19 has had a major impact on this world. Life for everyone has changed!
Admittingly, I have been a little anxious and especially overprotective of my husband and children. And, although my faith lies with God, I’ve been 
faithful to wear my mask, use hand sanitizer often and social distance as much as possible, to protect myself and others.
As far as “living”, I’ve recently realized that I have mostly just been going through the repetitive daily motions of my life. I’ve also noticed my depression increasing over the past few months and I’ve been trying to fight it. Extreme fatigue seems to have taken over my body with barely any energy. I have had little to no interest in doing anything other than staying at home. My sleep schedule has been all over the place. I’ve been more irritable (for no apparent reason) and just feeling empty and emotional.
I’ve been trying to understand why I couldn’t pull myself out of this slump that I’d been sinking deeper and deeper into. I began to pray and ask God. He brought to my attention real fast that I hadn’t been faithful in doing my daily bible study diligently, nor walking as close to Him as I had been. Consequently, and sadly, this hindered the close personal relationship that I have with my God and Heavenly Father. This isn’t the first time He has reminded me about my daily bible study, as I’ve been slipping away, but it’s the first time I have truly listened and taken action.
I began Jan. 1 of this year working on a Life Principles Daily Bible study that takes you through the whole bible chronologically in one year, by Dr. Charles Stanley. I was blown away this morning when I finally sat down to do my daily bible study.
I began with today’s date (Oct.1), but thought I’d look back to see how much I had missed and when the last date I did my study, faithfully, actually was. I am shocked and utterly ashamed of myself, (not to mention sharing with you), that I have lost so many weeks of my study. I worked diligently Jan 1-April 24 2020. Then I did about half of August. I’ve started again today with serious intentions of studying daily through the rest of this year.
Oh my goodness! I literally just noticed this while I’m typing now…The last blog post that I made was also in April! I wrote a couple poems since then, but I haven’t posted them yet. That is proof, and reassurance to myself, that I blog what God gives me to blog. I pray for his leadership and guidance in what to blog in order to help others and to bring Him honor and glory. Since I’ve been slowly drifting away from Him, I haven’t really felt led to blog or share anything. I mean it makes sense…how can I hear Him speak to me if I’m not in His word or walking close to Him…and actually listening, right??
I’m not trying to make excuses for not walking close to God, but July is always a tough month because that’s when we lost Laken. Since I was already not walking close to God at this time, I got down/depressed even more than usual; which has continued on until now. I tried to get back to myself, but it just wasn’t happening. When we try to handle our worries and tribulations ourselves, it just doesn’t work out. God is the only one that can give us true peace!
The truth is…God doesn’t move! It is US that moves away from Him. I’m thankful for the Holy Spirit convicting me to move back in closer to Him, The One that loves me most. I have faith that He will help pull me out of this depression, just as He has many times before…and that He will bring me (and you if you’ll trust Him), through the rest of 2020.
Reality— we are not living in a fantasy land like Alice was, however, we are living in a wonderland. Merriam-Webster defines it like this: wonderland – a place or scene of great or strange beauty or wonder. We serve a God of many wonders that created this wonderland, with just words spoken from His mouth, for us to live in and enjoy. I’m going to share just a few of His wonders, that amaze me, with you. I went to Alaska in September and it was just breathtaking! I’m going to post just a few, of the hundreds of pictures, that I took while I was there. (see bottom of post)
All of that being said, the bottom line is this: the devil is a liar and will do anything it takes to harm us, or our loved ones, physically or mentally and distract and/or deceive us. (I would say he has been working overtime in 2020). And he would love nothing less than to destroy each and every one of our lives!!! This pandemic has his conniving, amoral, vicious, savage, bloodthirsty fingerprints all over it! Get in God’s word and walk and talk with Him closely. Don’t give the devil a chance to come between you and God! 1Peter 5:8 says, Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Don’t give him the satisfaction of letting his wily, devious, deceitful, and pure evil catch you off guard! Today I say: GET BEHIND ME SATAN!!!
ALASKA 2020
