Sharing the plenty in 2020: God’s word says, in Psalm 32, and it’s eternally true: “‘I will advise you and watch over you.’ Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.” He will see us through this present adversity, testing our strength and resolve, but He is present, doing good things for His glory and our good. With Mr. Rogers, I suggest we look at all the good that has come from this crisis:: our scientists are creative, our businesses are creative, our musicians and artists are creative, our at home time has allowed us time with families, with home projects, with artistic expression, with children’s sense of wonder and growth, and with new ways at looking at problems with new solutions. Perhaps we just needed some time of reflection, time out from our busyness and distractions. Why not journal today about the blessings you’ve noticed. Just know that God loves us, that adversity tests and strengthens us, and that we have opportunities to share the plenty in 2020 with others in love, compassion, and ultimately, with renewed pleasure in others’ company!
A career teacher, with forty years of teaching language arts/English, Betty Jackson enjoys wordsmithing, writing, and reading as a vocation and avocation.Retirement is her "age of frosting," a chance to pursue postponed hobbies with gusto. She especially sends kudos to the Space Coast Writers Guild members for their encouragement and advice. Her five books, It's a God Thing!, Job Loss: What's Next? A Step by Step Action Plan, and Bless You Bouquets: A Memoir, And God Chose Joseph: A Christmas Story, and Rocking Chair Porch: Summers at Grandma's are available at Amazon.com. Ms. Jackson is available to speak to local groups and to offer her books at discount for fundraising purposes at her discretion. She and her husband soon celebrate their 47th anniversary, and have lived in New York, New Jersey, Iowa, and now the paradise of Palm Bay, Florida. Their two grown children and daughter-in-love, all orchestra musicians, and our beautiful granddaughters Kaley and Emily live nearby. Hobbies, and probably future topics on her blog: gardening, symphonic music (especially supporting the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra as a volunteer and proud parent of a violinist, a cellist, and an oboist), singing, book clubs, and co-teaching a weekly small-group Bible study for seniors. She volunteers and substitute teaches at Covenant Christian School, and serves as a board member of the Best Yet Set senior group at church. Foundationally, she daily enjoys God's divine appointments called Godincidences, which show God's providence and loving kindness.