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“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

When I enter my home, I often know someone has been there even though I may not have actually seen them. They have left their mark. It may have been something they provided, something they left or something they moved. A relative may have dropped off food for us, a friend may have left a beautiful basket of flowers, or someone may have removed something I no longer needed. The person who helps clean my house may have come while I was at work so when I arrive home and find it all clean and sparkly, I know they have been there.

As I look back on the start of COVID-19 to now, I can see God was present and continues to be. During the intensity of the many difficult moments, difficult decisions and difficult conversations, I can look back and see His presence. As I look back, I see how God has left His mark of goodness, strength, wisdom, encouragement and peace. As I look back, I see all the things He did to carry me through. The strength to work longer hours than usual, the ability to focus, the ability to juggle many things at once, the wisdom to listen to good advice, the courage to believe I was doing the right thing and the peace from believing I was in His will. I may not have always been aware that He was there, but I can now see the strength and wisdom He provided to help me do what I needed to do. God was there the whole time, even if sometimes, I was not aware of His presence. The fact He was, is, and always will be present is not based on being aware of it during the moment. It is based on His Word. He has said He is with me wherever I go. He is there telling me to be strong and courageous, not frightened or dismayed.

As I look back on the past 10 weeks I see numerous times God was there – whether I was aware or not at the time.

I see the things God provided:

• the love and support of my family, the wonderful staff I work with, the informative group of other clinic owners
  financial assistance
• the focus and strength to work hard
  sustained health
• a deeper love and stronger walk with Him as I looked to Him, depended on Him and got to know Him more
• a deeper love and appreciation for my loved ones whom I have not been able to hug and be with
• a deeper appreciation for my work

I see the things and attitudes God removed:

• unhealthy attitudes like irritation and impatience
• desire to keep doing things the usual way

Have you taken the time to look back and see God’s faithfulness?

Every one of our stories will be different in what God provided to us, based on His plan for us. Today, look back and reflect on God’s presence during this time. Write down where you saw Him at work.

• What things did He provide?
• What things and/or attitudes did He remove?

Bringing This to God in Prayer:

Thank You, God, that even though I cannot always see how You are moving when I am in the midst of a stressful situation, when I look back, I can see how You have provided. Help me to give You any unhealthy attitudes or wants which do not line up with what You have for me, and where You are leading me. I thank You that wherever I go, You are there, with me, always. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Putting This into Action This Week:

Be aware of His presence and thank Him for what He provides and what He removes. Thank Him for the strength and wisdom to make your decisions. Thank Him for the people in your life who encourage you. Every day, take time to be in the moment, be still, know He is God, and thank Him. As you intensely do what you need to do, be consistently aware of His Presence.

Remember also, you may be the source of encouragement for someone else as they deal with the challenges of COVID-19. What can you do for someone this week? Can you think of someone who needs some provision? Can you think of someone who needs a worry lessened or removed? Ask God to place someone on your heart who needs to be aware that God is with them..

May God richly bless you as you turn to Him and thank Him for His presence.

Have a wonderful week.
Bonny, Christian Women at Work

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