“But David Persisted”

Today has been a super hard day for me. All of this quarantining has gotten me feeling emotions that I didn’t know one could feel within a short amount of time. I am SO stinking thankful for good health, not having the virus, being able to work from home, having money to be able to afford social distancing, zoom/texting/FaceTime to keep up with loved ones and an absolutely amazing family.

I am also so so sad. My heart hurts. It mourns for the family that I don’t get to go hang out with just because I have the time and feel like it. It hurts for the grandma and gaga that I have who don’t get to have any family over and close to them because they are both high risk and our family doesn’t want anything chancing their health. My heart hurts because I know that there are so many families who are out of work, have young kiddos they have to provide for, and are genuinely scared for what their future holds because of all of this craziness. I hurt for those who are taking care of the sick patients, sacrificing their health and peace of mind to take care of those who need help now… knowing they very well could be the next [person to be sick. I also hurt so so bad for those who have lost family members or are in the process of losing a family member but can’t be at the nursing home or hospital by their side and helping them fight because of all of the current restrictions on visitation in those places.

Most days, it is so easy for me to focus on the positives and see the “BUT GOD” moments in everything, but I am human and there are days that are super hard to keep my eyes focused on the positives. Today is one of those days. Yesterdays devotions spoke so loudly to me when I read them but one phrase keeps repeating over and over in my head today and so I figured I would share.

Let me set the context. I am in 1 Samuel where David has already been chosen by God for a greatness. The scene that I was reading about specifically was in 1 Samuel 17 where David took food to his bothers who were at the battle grounds across from the Philistine army. He found out that the giant Goliath was taunting the Israelite army and that the Israelite’s were so scared of confronting Goliath that they were basically frozen in fear. David had volunteered himself to go and slay the giant and basically got told to go home and that he was too young for his offer to be taken seriously.

Then I read the three words that basically smacked me in the face: “But David persisted…” (1 Samuel 14:34).

All day I have been feeling God whisper this to my heart in every situation I’ve faced. David was in an impossible spot where everything seemed to be against him but he knew that if God was on his side, he could not fail!

SO… in this quarantine remember:

-If you’re feeling overwhelmed because work is super crazy and it feels like you’re using every ounce of your strength to keep it together: keep on persisting.

-If you are struggling financially and don’t know what tomorrow will hold: cling to Jesus, remind yourself of His promises, and keep on persisting.

-If you are going stir crazy and don’t feel like you can keep doing this quarantine thing to flatten the curve: know you are doing an amazing thing and keep on persisting.

-If you miss your family and could really use a loving hug and face to face conversation: know you aren’t alone, zoom one of your loved ones because some form of face to face is better than nothing, and keep on persisting.

-If you don’t have a job and with that reality, you are fearful of just about everything else: reach out to someone and vent, know that you are not alone and keep on persisting in trying to find another job or do what you can to make ends meet.

-If you are depressed because of all of this: reach out to someone, take a walk in the fresh air, and keep on persisting.

-If you are doing great and feel awesome today: DO A HAPPY DANCE, rejoice in that feeling, and keep on persisting.

There is no right answer for where you are or need to be in life right now.

If you need to reach out, please do, we are all in this together and you are not alone. We will get through this TOGETHER. Even if together has to be through distance. Through your vulnerability, you might just be able to strengthen someone else in their journey through this COVID-19 quarantine. Also, please enjoy these pictures of nature and life beginning this spring!

~Gracefully Kellen~