Dear Reader:

Anyone…child, youth, or adult who has ever watched the original Wizard of Oz.…recognizes this scene (from the movie) instantly…with the famous phrase…“Lions and tigers and bears, OH MY!”

On their way to find the Wizard of Oz...Dorothy and her companions somehow leave the sunny yellow brick road behind when it turns into spooky dirt paths through dark scary woods…the group then hears a rustling sound coming from the foliage around them ….in each one’s imagination…they are seeing what scares them the most...”Lions and tigers and bears, OH MY!”

Isn’t that what we feel too these days? We can’t see the enemy but the rustling warnings from television ads, the news, our doctors and scientists warn us this ‘formidable opponent’ is just as scary as ….lions, tigers, and bears. “Oh my.”

The difference in this scene and our situation is that we can’t hold hands to comfort each other through these scary times. It would be so much more comforting… if we could.

In Still Speaking Daily Devotionals...Molly Baskette addresses this problem as we seek to find God and safe haven before the cornavirus finds us. Here is an excerpt from her devotional.

“Draw Near”

Draw near to God, and God will draw near to you. – James 4:8 (NRSV)

Social distancing is our new way of life. When people we don’t live with come closer than six feet these days, we might experience a frisson of fear. What a strange and alienating reality!

Humans are wired for connection and we do better – mentally and physically – with touch. Some sources say twelve hugs a day for optimal well-being. So what is a human to do when drawing near is both what we most need and, in an age of pandemic, what might end us?

*I was thinking the other day about this…when I talked about sensing God in my garden…in plants and trees and buds and blooms. I touch them and marvel at God’s essence in beauty. And I feel safe in this environment…with just me and God.

By touching every living thing… plant and animal…aren’t I touching God and isn’t it safe to reach for Him through life itself?

Sadly it is only humans who can’t touch other humans…who must keep their distance and protect themselves with masks…but with God…no social distancing is necessary or masks…because eternal love between our Maker and ourselves is not restricted to the laws of physics governing the world we live in.

So until tomorrow…Remember God IS Love and as such has endless ways to comfort us and draw nigh when we need Him the most…germ-free.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

This tip-top Confederate Rose bloom turned pink again…yesterday…the cycle is continuously amazing me…one bud and bloom…over and over again.

As I was driving over to Mt. Pleasant Sunday afternoon and entering Wakendaw Lakes…a whole group of people were starting to put Christmas lights on the entrance tree. By the time I left…this beautiful sight told me good-bye from the neighborhood.

A shout-out to Carrie, Catherine, and Susan…all family members with “Turkey” birthdays this week. When we think about it…it is a wonderful time of the year to  be “thankful” for life and the opportunity to start another ‘trip around the sun’ with new possibilities in waiting. Happy Birthday Everyone!

*** Just added this Monday afternoon. Tigger, John and Mandy’s little dog, is in ICU having a blood transfusion for low hemoglobin. He has struggled since his nine teeth were pulled…and became quite ill today.

We all love him so and want what is best for him so if he can be healed and his health restored…we would all be so thankful today for that….prayers please for a much loved little dog. Thank you. Boo