Today I share with you a guest post by my friend Taryn Spurlock.  I thought her words so important that I am sharing them today rather than our regular posting time.  I hope you find it as touching and encouraging as I have.

Wednesday, March 18th, 2020

Taryn Spurlock

con·stant

/ˈkänstənt/

noun

1. 1. a situation or state of affairs that does not change. 

I’m a pretty routine person. We have a family of three that has pretty consistent order to our week. For me, most weekdays consist of a 4:20am alarm, workout, home a little after 6, quiet time, off to work at 7:30, Creede gets to school, and I get off at 5, and we move on to our evening activity depending on the day of the week. It’s how we roll. For the 1st time in the 11 years of my career I was sent home from work until further notice due to COVID-19 and the recommendations pertaining to my job. My daily situation changed really fast.

As I sit here on my porch writing this, the weather went from cold to hot rather quickly as well. Living in Oklahoma, I know what potential that has for a March day… STORMS. It’s gorgeous right now though. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, my son is out playing with his cousin. You see, that’s how life was rolling along for us… we just bought a new house with land, my husband’s busy season of work was around the corner, and we were all jiving just fine.

But one microscopic virus changed everything all of a sudden.

But you know what else it changed in less than 24 hours… ME.

This morning I found myself on my husband’s side of the bed kneeling and having a conversation with God. Acknowledging God was in control. Acknowledging this is out of my control. Asking God to change my heart. Asking God to protect us. Asking God to give my son and I a wonderful day together. Asking God to heal our country. Asking God to show me how to use my time not working as a hygienist wisely and for His glory.

• Philippians 4:6-8

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

I walked away with peace. 

●     Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Does that mean I haven’t thought about this crazy unknown situation today? No.

But I have remembered that moment beside my bed this morning many, many times.

So, as I mentioned, it’s looking beautiful right now and feeling nice outside. But I know the chance of storms are there.  So, I also spent some time this morning cleaning up the porch and making sure things outside were hunkered down, etc.

I’M PREPARING.

●     Proverbs 6:6-11

Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, …

Storms are going to come. Sometimes they come with a warning and sometimes there is no warning at all. Regardless, they will come. God has commanded us to be good stewards. Last Sunday our church was unable to meet “like normal” in order to aid in limiting potential COVID-19 spread. I was unable to drop our tithe check as usual. Right after we were informed of our new work situation, I went to my wallet to get $5 I owed somebody at work and saw the check. My second patient didn’t show so I went to the church and dropped it off. KNOWING the storm was here, I also knew it did not change the fact I was to obey in the giving of my tithe. Normally, that is a routine thing that I never think twice about. That day, God increased my faith and said, “this doesn’t change.”

• Malachi 3:10

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need…

●     Proverbs 3:9

Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;

My husband and I have always strived to live within our means. People have made fun of us at times for the things we refuse to spend money on and our thoughts on saving. But I am so thankful for the sunny days where we had the opportunity to prepare. It may be different. It may be hard. It may do some damage to “our plans.” However, in the end, the sun will come back out.

●     Proverbs 21:20

Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.

●     Colossians 3:23

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.

God not only wants me to prepare for the storms financially, but also spiritually. My relationship with Him is what drove me to my knees this morning. I knew he would be there. I knew He already knew my heart. I knew I was safe there because He had been there before both on the sunny days and the stormy days.

I plan to spend the next few weeks looking for the ways God can use me in such a time as this.

While this storm may change our constant. Our God is constant in His love and promises toward His children. And because of that, TODAY AND EVERY DAY, I PRAISE HIM.

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Malachi 3:6

For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.