This morning was incredibly smooth. I gave myself many virtual gold stars. You know, to go along with all the virtual learning we were doing.

By 7:00am, the three youngest and I had eaten breakfast and Riley asked to go ahead and do his homework so that he could have screen time (gold star!).

Then, Nate’s math teacher noticed that he had a few questions on his assignments and offered to do individual tutoring on a zoom meeting (gold star!).

Mary Alice had a virtual ballet class at 10:00am, which I think I enjoyed even more than she did. (gold star!)

And Riley had his daily class meeting at 11:00am. (gold star!).

At 11:30, Riley leaned out and said, “mom, dad needs to talk.” My ears started ringing. As I climbed up the stairs, I pleaded with the Lord. I asked for this cup to pass over us, but I knew He had been preparing my heart for a few weeks. Brian is in software engineering, but right now he works for a company in the cruise industry.

He confirmed what I already knew, today was his last day.

And here we are again, standing in the desert.

We have been here before. Well, without the global pandemic part, but we have stood in the valley of unemployment.

All I know is that I have peace. He has delivered us to a land of milk and honey over and over again. On our walk tonight, you could smell it again – honey. The air was light and clean and thick with the smell of honey. He is with us in every breath and every step.

This is my go to in times of trouble. I hope it encourages you tonight:

Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From whence does my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot be moved,
he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade
on your right hand.
6 The sun shall not smite you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
8 The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and for evermore.