There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
 a time to be born and a time to die  a time to plant and a time to uproot,
 a time to kill and a time to heal.  a time to tear down and a time to build,
 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
  a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
  a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,  Ecclesiastes 3:1-5 NIV

A couple of days ago, I was shopping at a local grocery store when I noticed something had changed. Previously, there were directional signs displayed on the floor to direct the flow of shopping. I normally found myself going the wrong direction on multiple occasions. But on this day, the signs were gone and the floor was open for cross traffic. I had been looking for wheat hotdog buns a few months back and all wheat products were gone off the shelf. Today, however, there was wheat bread products in abundance. I could feel a hopeful thought emerging from its place of hiding, “things are returning to normal”.

I understand that many are still hurting. We are praying each morning and night for friends who have loved ones in the hospital. Some have had family members pass away. Our daily routine involves discussion about another family member or friend that has tested positive for COVID19. Listen to me carefully, this season WILL END. How do I know this? Because God’s word states that every activity lasts ONLY for a season.

Solomon paints a beautiful word picture in this portion of Ecclesiastes chapter 3 about the struggles and joys of life. The thread that connects these opposite activities is “time”. As time passes from one season to another, so also we will experience the shift of polarizing events. Weeping will once again find the voice of laughter, mourning will find the sway of the rhythm of dance, and the NOT embracing of social distancing will eventually feel the warmth and love of hugs, kisses and touch.

On this Fear Not Friday, don’t fret at your present struggles, they will give way to hope. The Bible encourages us to keep on, keeping on enduring until the end. Invite Jesus to sit with in your present stage. His presence always brings comfort and moves toward hope.

When is this going to end?

This road I’m traveling seems much to hard
I don’t know how much more I can bear
My heart is heavy with this burden I have
I wonder sometimes, if truly You care
 
I’ve looked down the road to see if it ends
It’s filled with twist and turns, highs and lows
I must confess, sometimes I’m not doing well
Moving, eating, sleeping, praying is how it goes
 
Understanding and Faith are not the same
Sometimes I’m stuck wanting both of them
I lean on your Spirit's faithful abiding presence
Brokenness and exhaustion, will I give to Him
 
This season will pass, your Word comes to me
I smile with a glimmer of hope inside
Weeping will again find the voice of laughter
Today, let Your peace, be my comfort and guide

Blessings Love y’all