Remembering the Loss of Many this Year

Memorial Day is a day we remember those we have lost - parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, and others we love. This year, though, it's more special because there is so much grief around the world. And people are struggling with personal griefs as well - such as domestic violence. I was hoping that Covid would make us all realize how precious life is, learn to love more and hate less. Even if no one you know or love has died from Covid, you have watched those death numbers rise each day. Now we're watching as monkeypox cases rise.

On top of these plagues, Russia started a war with Ukraine earlier this year, and other controversies between countries have started. I think we can be almost certain that more worldwide plagues and controversies are on the way.

Let's not forget the victims of natural disasters. Fires, floods, volcanic eruptions, tornadoes, earthquakes, and other disasters have taken countless lives as well.

But the saddest news of all is the hate crimes that have shown up so much lately - Buffalo, New York, Uvalde, Texas, and other mass shootings in 2022 alone in the United States. These people who died were loved by their families, and they were senselessly, selfishly taken from their loved ones. Just because someone was having a bad day or felt that society had wronged them or because they simply hated and they picked innocent people to take out their anger on. Any one of us could be killed because we happen to be in the wrong school, church, movie theater, or grocery store. None of this makes sense, but I will never understand why anyone would target children.

Image courtesy of Selena Morar via Unsplash

And lastly, I was sad to see the news about the 11 newborns who died in a fire in West Africa. Our hearts and prayers go out to the mothers of these infants.

All we can do is mourn over the losses of these innocent people. We can remember them and hold them in our hearts. Today, let's say a prayer for their loved ones and pray that, moving forward, God will protect the innocent and help us figure out how to keep guns out of the hands of killers, how to protect our children, how to stop the hate, how to protect people from natural disasters, how to help people get out of dangerous domestic situations.

God needs to hear from us more often. Let's honor the Heavenly Father today. Let's honor his Son, Jesus Christ, for giving his life for all of us who will believe and trust in his goodness. Let's honor the Holy Spirit who dwells in those of us who believe so that we will make right decisions, who helps our motives be pure, who helps us love like Christ. Let love surface instead of more hate.

May God bless you,

Patricia

Comments

Buying and Care Tips for Outdoor Plants

These first 2 tips came to mind when I was buying 4 new outdoor deck plants this past week at Lowe's. First of all, at least at the Lowe's I visited, all of their hanging basket flowers were badly wilted and turning brown. I'll have to say, that was a first. All of their plants usually look amazing. I'm not sure if it's because of all the local rainfall, and maybe they haven't been watering them regularly, and that was why they looked so shabby. Because typically, someone would be watering the flowers at about the time we arrived; always have been in the past, and no one was doing that on the day we visited earlier this week. Or maybe they've let Mother Nature overwater them. I don't know. Regardless of the reason, I passed on buying hanging basket flowers. I'm the type of person who really needs to start with healthy flowers. Therefore, I brought home 4 in regular pots, because they all looked healthy. So, my first tip is to pay attention to the

Worry is Waste

How many moments do we waste worrying about things we aren't able to control? I know I've had my fair share of moments like that. I won't say that I never worry anymore. Human nature is to worry. But I worry much less these days, because I trust God to take care of all my needs and problems. According to my NLT study Bible, worrying leads to immobilization, but concern leads us to action. I like that they have shown me the difference between worry and concern. Let's, now, read today's Scripture about the impacts of worry and the effects of trusting God from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 6:25-34 says, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your

Being God's Ambassador: Meditation 4

Let's prepare to meditate . Start playing your relaxing sounds/music on another device if you like accompaniment with meditation. With your tissues and water beside you, get in a comfortable sitting position. Close your eyes if you'd like. Now, relax your entire body, starting with your forehead, between your eyebrows, your jaws, your neck and shoulders, your arms and legs. Feel the tension release as you relax. Allow the stomach and shoulders to naturally rise and fall as you slowly breathe in and breathe out. Today's meditation affirmation is "I am created in the image of God. He provides everything I need to be His ambassador." Let's repeat this affirmation to ourselves as we concentrate on our breathing for a few moments. Continue your slow, concentrated breathing as I guide you through today's meditation. Listen to Meditation 4 . In Genesis 1:26 NLT (New Living Translation), God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us.” God made u

Subscribe to Newsletter

Search This Blog