Grinchy and the Gorilla by Deena
McDaniel Positively Beautiful Blog. 3/20/20
Most every day I have somewhere to be. Now the social distance takes a turn. For those who love being alone, this is the best vacation in the world. However, the brain drain of home life begins to take its toll. And then you begin to think of how blessed you are to be where you’re at…alive! Lamentations 3:22-23 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.I’m not fearful of the COVID death, but thankful for God’s grace to wake me every morning.
It’s time to find the silver lining in life. Our daily devotions took us to Madrid, Spain. Yes, a friend of our daughter’s joined us from Spain for devotions this morning. I’d never thought of reaching across the world to share God’s truths. Our technology gives us means I’d never thought possible. Let’s use it to glorify God.
Back on our farm in Missouri, the social distancing wasn’t mandatory, rather it was a choice. We lived so far out in the woods the stop signs said WHOA! Well, not really, but for 15 years we never had a pizza delivered! Lifestyles slowed down. The annual Dogwood Festival was what you lived for and here in Hollywood, a huge festival is every weekend! FOMO! (Fear of missing out) constantly plagues me, but now I’m missing zero! Mindset is everything. WHOA again.
Fear won’t own me. Boredom won’t zone me. Christ will atone me. I focus on his providence. Eli our Spanish friend chimed in, “God has this under control.” And yes, we’ve prayed more than ever before! I crossed the street to our recently widowed neighbor who’d had lots of guests for the funeral. “Hey, you gotta have a lot of extra butts in the house. Need any toilet paper, because we’ve got extra.” I laughed. She laughed too. That really was one of my reasons to stop by, not the TP, but to see how she was doing. At over 80, she’s the high-risk person we hear about. “ Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.” -Psalm 68:5 Paula was fine and told me she was blessed I’d told her she was a blessing to many. “You’d said I was touching my world one person at a time. I’d never thought of it that way. Thank you. I made the cashier smile and I thought of your wise words.” She beamed.
Creativity kicks in when it’s quarantine time. I gutted my husband’s office! I’ve found clothes I forgot I owned in cleaning out my closet! I’ve done exercise videos I’d been meaning to try! And take it from one VERY social girl, I’ve had to write a list of things I CAN do here. Your brain is going to turn negative, so while you’re positive write yourself a letter. I titled it, “Things Deena can do.” Depression can set in quickly if we stay glued to the sorrow around the world. Social media makes me confused. One minute I’m blessed with the most inspiring post, followed by the catastrophic news you can imagine. Advice: small doses.
Blast worship music and move! “Tremble before him, all the earth! The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved. Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, ‘The LORD reigns!’”- 1 Chronicles 16:30-31 Yes, just move around the house. I’ve tracked over 10,000 steps most days! Probably because I forget one thing in one room and go back to the other then to just forget why I was there to begin with! Attitude is everything! Everyone needs Rosey in their house. She’s my 18-year-old who is that introvert with wisdom. She’s readily admitted over socializing makes her social meter is whack. Now, we’re only dealing with separation sadness from her boyfriend. “We’ve got this Mom! Just think of it. I can now make all that jewelry I’ve been wanting to create!” And she has! IG @alien.rosey to buy original art!
Why not read that book you’d been wanting to read. “Let me tell you something you already know: reading is critically important - especially for Christian believers. God, after all, reveals Himself to us in the written words of Scripture. Think about it: when we read the Word, we place ourselves in the very presence of God.”-Eric Metaxas, Theologian Why not write those letters you’ve put off for so long? Why not start enjoying what you have and not what you have not? I’m preaching to myself here too. All of us can long for those “leeks and onions” of what was the past. You know the NON-stop lifestyle of on the go! God may be calling you to hear his voice in the wilderness. Begin to journal. Because when we look back on these social distancing days with our grandkids, they will see how the Lord moved in our lives.
My grandparents went to war and fought for my freedom. I’m the grandparent that gets to binge-watch Netflix and do my laundry after a beautiful workout video. Put things in perspective. And the mask thing? My husband and I are prepared. Grinchy and the Monkey might catch on as a trend. Be mindful of other's lives and stay put. But that doesn’t mean don’t have fun! #yardyoga #monkeymask #knowyourneighbor #readabook #bikeride #letterwriting #cookwithyourkids #craftstosell #readyourbible
Most every day I have somewhere to be. Now the social distance takes a turn. For those who love being alone, this is the best vacation in the world. However, the brain drain of home life begins to take its toll. And then you begin to think of how blessed you are to be where you’re at…alive! Lamentations 3:22-23 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.I’m not fearful of the COVID death, but thankful for God’s grace to wake me every morning.
It’s time to find the silver lining in life. Our daily devotions took us to Madrid, Spain. Yes, a friend of our daughter’s joined us from Spain for devotions this morning. I’d never thought of reaching across the world to share God’s truths. Our technology gives us means I’d never thought possible. Let’s use it to glorify God.
Back on our farm in Missouri, the social distancing wasn’t mandatory, rather it was a choice. We lived so far out in the woods the stop signs said WHOA! Well, not really, but for 15 years we never had a pizza delivered! Lifestyles slowed down. The annual Dogwood Festival was what you lived for and here in Hollywood, a huge festival is every weekend! FOMO! (Fear of missing out) constantly plagues me, but now I’m missing zero! Mindset is everything. WHOA again.
Fear won’t own me. Boredom won’t zone me. Christ will atone me. I focus on his providence. Eli our Spanish friend chimed in, “God has this under control.” And yes, we’ve prayed more than ever before! I crossed the street to our recently widowed neighbor who’d had lots of guests for the funeral. “Hey, you gotta have a lot of extra butts in the house. Need any toilet paper, because we’ve got extra.” I laughed. She laughed too. That really was one of my reasons to stop by, not the TP, but to see how she was doing. At over 80, she’s the high-risk person we hear about. “ Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.” -Psalm 68:5 Paula was fine and told me she was blessed I’d told her she was a blessing to many. “You’d said I was touching my world one person at a time. I’d never thought of it that way. Thank you. I made the cashier smile and I thought of your wise words.” She beamed.
Creativity kicks in when it’s quarantine time. I gutted my husband’s office! I’ve found clothes I forgot I owned in cleaning out my closet! I’ve done exercise videos I’d been meaning to try! And take it from one VERY social girl, I’ve had to write a list of things I CAN do here. Your brain is going to turn negative, so while you’re positive write yourself a letter. I titled it, “Things Deena can do.” Depression can set in quickly if we stay glued to the sorrow around the world. Social media makes me confused. One minute I’m blessed with the most inspiring post, followed by the catastrophic news you can imagine. Advice: small doses.
Blast worship music and move! “Tremble before him, all the earth! The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved. Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, ‘The LORD reigns!’”- 1 Chronicles 16:30-31 Yes, just move around the house. I’ve tracked over 10,000 steps most days! Probably because I forget one thing in one room and go back to the other then to just forget why I was there to begin with! Attitude is everything! Everyone needs Rosey in their house. She’s my 18-year-old who is that introvert with wisdom. She’s readily admitted over socializing makes her social meter is whack. Now, we’re only dealing with separation sadness from her boyfriend. “We’ve got this Mom! Just think of it. I can now make all that jewelry I’ve been wanting to create!” And she has! IG @alien.rosey to buy original art!
Why not read that book you’d been wanting to read. “Let me tell you something you already know: reading is critically important - especially for Christian believers. God, after all, reveals Himself to us in the written words of Scripture. Think about it: when we read the Word, we place ourselves in the very presence of God.”-Eric Metaxas, Theologian Why not write those letters you’ve put off for so long? Why not start enjoying what you have and not what you have not? I’m preaching to myself here too. All of us can long for those “leeks and onions” of what was the past. You know the NON-stop lifestyle of on the go! God may be calling you to hear his voice in the wilderness. Begin to journal. Because when we look back on these social distancing days with our grandkids, they will see how the Lord moved in our lives.
My grandparents went to war and fought for my freedom. I’m the grandparent that gets to binge-watch Netflix and do my laundry after a beautiful workout video. Put things in perspective. And the mask thing? My husband and I are prepared. Grinchy and the Monkey might catch on as a trend. Be mindful of other's lives and stay put. But that doesn’t mean don’t have fun! #yardyoga #monkeymask #knowyourneighbor #readabook #bikeride #letterwriting #cookwithyourkids #craftstosell #readyourbible
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