Deep Wells

It's been over two months since I've seen my parents who live in Queensland.  They visited during the week that Covid hit Australia, and thankfully they crossed the border for home just in time.  My sister & husband had just started their 'family trip of a lifetime' around Australia and had made it to South Australia when they found out the borders were closing.  A day later they just made it across the WA border where they 'camped out' for 5 weeks. My other sister and her husband are nurses - they were on the frontline.  Like so many other health professionals they went to work every day when the country was unsure how invasive the health crisis would become. Thank God for wise decisions at the helm.   Thank God for wise leaders - they need our prayers. I'm just one of so many who haven't had any face to face contact with their loved ones.  By now I would have wrapped my arms around my three older children and my two grand-babies - a few times ove...

I am reading a fantastic YouVersion devotion that has challenged me recently, especially in light of social isolation restrictions and the resulting lack of face to face community.   A few excerpts from this reading stood out to me - speaking about being strategic about community and making an effort to make this happen no matter what: "Community can be as rich and deep as we make it ... & takes time to cultivate" "Community pushes through adversity and hardship. It stays the course and believes the best" 'Doing life together' isn't flippant.  It's more than a flippant, quick hello - although 'hello's' are still great! :) * It's purposefully and thoughtfully extending love and 'going the extra mile' for someone.   * It's finding imaginative ways to celebrate - even on an ordinary day :) * It's looking a bit deeper and asking 'how are you?', then waiting to hear the answer. * It's an unexpected gift or l...