“Silence is praise to you, Zion-dwelling God, And also obedience. You hear the prayer in it all.”
Psalm 65:1-2 The Message
Greetings Family and Friends,
I’ve been pondering this verse a couple weeks now, - reading it in different Bible translations. Appreciating the entire psalm yet focused right here. It feels like clarity to the passing months since my 2020 letter. I honestly had to go back and read last year’s update; for the life of me, I couldn’t remember what it was about. Maybe because the year since has seemed “murkier.”
Even though we all knew the world got a little crazy with COVID’s intrusion, there was something about the first couple-three months that felt buffered to me. Almost sacred. It was a season I won’t ever forget, nor would I want to. But as time went on, with all the escalating bombardment of national strife and worldly shakings, I felt a deepening of heart. Silent groans became more the norm; who even had words? – After enjoying the social media I engaged in (and mentioned last letter), I found myself moving away from it come fall. I sensed God calling me to more focus and more intentionality. Now what it all means, I’m not sure I can say yet. I’m not sure myself. I only know I’m “holding.” (After the CHANGE He spoke to me about in 2019, sometime last summer that word transitioned to HOLD.)
So that’s the internal. – Externally, life continues pretty much status quo. I did go back to work at HOPE, - the Christian school I had worked at twice, actually three times before. It seemed a little circular to return, but it’s been sweet. I’m just working half time and it’s perfect. Has added some variety to what was becoming house-bound, sometimes stir-crazy days, due to New Mexico lockdowns. (I know y’all have your own versions of what that’s looked like.) Thankfully, my gym has been open for awhile now and our church only shut down initially for a short time. –Restrictions in place, naturally, but I’m so thankful for the heart and health inducing activities of worship, swimming, and serving. I’m SET!
Greg continues to piece-meal work throughout this season, but now has job applications out a few places. The hope is that in-person training and facilitation will come back into existence before too long though the norm currently continues to be via ZOOM and online streaming. Makes sense. Praying God’s FIT for Greg and looking forward to something more consistent ahead.
Guess our biggest, most wonderful news of the past year, is the arrival of Scout Shephard Barela! She made her entrance last May 31st so is already 10 months old. Gosh, she is PRECIOUS! I feel so blessed to semi-repeat my Levi/Bree experience in Arlo and Scout. They’re 20 months apart just like my kids are and I see that sweet brother-sister friendship sparking even now. Oh yeah, there are bumps, but they are SO FUN together.
My kids continue to navigate THE season and their individual seasons apart from and in relation to it. So crazy to consider what our young people are experiencing. Does it not seem more significant than what most of us grew up experiencing, or is it just that our parent hearts would rather take all the hits and protect our kids from them? – More prayer purpose there; more groaning.
Greg’s girls are doing life the same. We have a new granddaughter, Selah, thanks to his youngest daughter, Julia. Middle daughter, Krista, is headed towards marriage, and Laina is graduating college via remote conclusion and still doing ministry in San Francisco.
Our lives are full!
So what’s next? Who knows? I suppose the goal is the same as it’s always been: to live faithfully/obediently (Ps 65 = praising!) and fully present in each day. To love the LORD, our God, with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. To love our neighbors as ourselves. (Mark 12:30, 31.) As murky as this past year has presented, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), thus our sights, fixed securely on HIM, bring all the grace needed to press on in Hope and Expectation.
It’s what Resurrection is all about, right? When circumstances and futures MAY appear grim, there’s something CRAZY going on behind the scenes. Something beyond imagination, something wonderful.
It’s what I’m counting on in the days, weeks, and season ahead. He’s got a PLAN. And it’s gonna be GOOD.
Blessings y’all! Pray your Easter celebration brought you much JOY. He is Risen Indeed. WOW!
Jody and gang