July? It’s July??
How can the days feel so long and yet the months scurry?
Covid-19 has certainly been jarring to our world. It’s changed our plans, highlighted our loneliness, increased our anxiety, impacted our economy, exposed our frailty…
In and through this journey Jesus remains who He has always been. Savior, Shepherd, Counselor, Healer, Companion, etc.
Remember Hagar from the Old Testament? She and her son were thrown out of Abraham and Sarah’s caravan into the desert alone. No flashlight, no funds, no food. It looked hopeless for them until she met “the God who sees.”
The Lord is not in hiding nor is he blind to our suffering. He not only sees, but he has a master plan that’s locked in place. At no point has he been unaware, taken aback, shocked, unprepared, or helpless. He has a history from before “the beginning” of being Able, Strong, and Sure. We are the ones with weak knees, unfaithful hearts, and wobbly convictions. God’s response to our frailty is Jesus. The One who rescues and heals us from our sin and the sin of others.
Covid-19 is a constant threat, inconvenience, and disruption, however, it doesn’t determine our destiny. That’s locked in place. Jesus sees. He remains our Sovereign, Compassionate, Provisional God.
Dear ones the Lord is here and near to the broken-hearted, the weak, the sick, the lost, and all those who call upon his dear name. He offers us strength for the long day and dark nights.
So let’s buckle on our armor (and our mask, when appropriate), rise up into our gifts, calling, and our courage. Let’s spread our Christ inheritance of joy, hope, love, and light. Hard times and desert places is where he does some of his deepest heart work.
Braveheart’s let us raise Christ’s banner and sing his praise!
Love, Patsy
Thank you for your words of encouragement and wisdom. COVID has truly disrupted our lives. I use to be able seek solace from my husbands illness, taking on a 3 year old at 60, not 5 and in 62, loosing an income, in our church. But even that has changed. I feel lost so much of the time. Thank you for sharing your words that when I am weak and fall to my knees, I’m in the perfect position to pray.
Amen and Amen, dear sister!
Love your insight!
Thank you. This is so refreshing. No bandwagon of the situation surrounding our word. Just truth. Encouragement. I really appreciate this because my word of the year is see. And while it is for ME to see, I hadn’t looked at it from the perspective of God sees. Thank you again.
Amen! Thank you for these encouraging words! I am a believer and l fully agree with you, Patsy!!
Thank you for this! I needed it!
The song, “The God Who Sees” by Nicole C. Mullen and Kathie Lee Gifford has been a source of encouragement to me during these uncertain days…. I have not listened to the song in quite a while and just recently heard it on Spotify…since then it’s the song I keep singing in my heart and today it was the first thing that I awoke to….then to read your letter this morning…oh my, so affirming that even through these challenging days of such unrest, unknowns and yes, fear…that we serve and love a God who sees us…a God who knows our broken and shaken hearts…thank you Patsy for this wonderful reminder this morning, that yes, we can lean into our God who’s sees…us 🙏🏻❤️
Thank you for this encouragement I just read today, Patsy. You are an inspiration to me and this covid virus has really been hard on me. I will admit it has me depressed many days. Feeling like I can’t get out and do the things we normally do.
Your encouraging words lift me up—but most of all my faith and prayers give me hope.
God bless you 🙏.
I love you Patsy! God has and is continuing to use you!!! You have no idea how much you helped me and still do
Love always
Anita Sturch
Thank you for the reminder.
Thank you for this, Patsy. At 72 I’m witnessing and feeling sights and thoughts new to me. I’m struggling to understand my purpose in this time of quarantine. Your posts and life speak what I needed to hear today!
Becky Guinn
Oh thank you, Patsy. Again your words have been just what I needed to hear.
Living alone, these months have been hard and challenging to say the least. I continue to pray for wisdom and faith. God is faithful!!
Thank you Patsy! This weary world needs your message of hope 😇 Keep shining the light of Christ. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Pamela Sharp
Thank you, Patsy! As usual, your words are grounding and comforting…and always timely. 💖
Thank you. God bless you.
AMEN & AMEN Pasty!! ABSOLUTELY!! Love you Monika (from Chicago area) <3
Praise God for your encouraging words
I cannot imagine going thru this time not knowing our GOD, PROVIDER,
Thank you Patsy for your ministry
Thank you for this. I really needed to hear this today.
Love you!!
Patsy, I first heard of, then experienced, your love of The LORD, at a Women of Faith Conference in Denver, CO with my daughters. I’m truly grateful to God that He placed us at that conference so we could experience your vitality, humor and LOVE for people. Thank you for continuing to share The Gospel of Christ! 🙏🏻💖🙏🏻
Thank you so much….as a widow of 3 years and trying to support my best friend as she now enters into this group, these words were exactly what I needed to share with her.
You have always been a favorite of mine! I still have a pic of me with you at my first Women of Faith convention years ago in Richmond! Went to so many & loved every one of them! You are a wonderful vessel of Christ and your words are loving & soothing! You are a blessing, dear Patsy! Thank you for all you do to help us grow in Christ!
I love you!
Thanks for this message.
I know all those truths, and many times I forget them. Then my heart is sinfully heavy when I should be rejoicing and choosing Joy in Jesus. Thank you for writing and encouraging me .
Love and Thanks.
Billye Burnett
Thanks I really enjoy your messages! You are an inspiration to us all.
Thank you for the note of encouragement Patsy. It reminds me of a verse I read on my calendar today, from Isaiah 11:9….for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD… so a question for your help please, are we then part of the fullness? You seem to understand so much of what He says.
Thank you Patsy & how true!
Thank you for the encouraging words & in ministering to us daily in someway! What a blessing! And, may He continue to bless, protect, smile on and be gracious to you. May He show you His Favor and give you His Peace! All glory to HIM Who is Able…..
Miss Patsy,
You have such a gift of encouragement with your words. And especially now, we all need to hear those words…and rise up in faith together. Thank you so much for sharing your heart with us.
Love you…
Tammy Carson
Thank you, thank you for this encouraging word! I needed this more than I thought when I started reading. Blessings!
You have consistently blessed my soul in good times and hard times. I look forward to your insights which have been so instrumental in leading me closer to the King Of Kings and Lord Of Lords. Bless your gifts so freely shared with us your prayer partners, and great admirers .
In Christ,
Nann
I love the word picture of the mask as part of putting on the armor of God! Thanks for your insights and wisdom !
Thank you for this reminder of God’s purpose and provision, and most importantly to me-that He “sees” me.
Beautiful words! 🙏🔥
So thankful that God is in control, even when things are upside down in our thinking. I am thankful for the freedom to live in USA ! God has been and will be faithful all the time. I am greatly blessed !!
Patsy I could read and listen to you speak everyday. You have been a blessing to me ever since I saw you speak in Pittsburgh in 2004 at women of faith. Thank you for all you do.
I just watched your FB video “the Light “ and found myself completely involved in your words. I’ll be looking forward to seeing and hearing more from you. 🙏💗🧎♀️
I love your words of wisdom and comfort. You are an exceptional person and you cant possible know how you have affected my life and desire to write. I have never been so prolific or poetic since I joined “Writerly Intentions”. What a boost it has been! I feel God is finally revealing my true voice and its my goal to use it for His glory. To see people lifted, saved, changed for the better and give hope is an ambition born of the Lord. May God give me holy insight, and help along the way. He has already started. Thank YOU!
In His Service with love,
Peggy Mills
Thank you Patsy. You have helped to pull me from my hidey hole. So looking forward to learning
to walk closer with the Lord again. You are a good leader, went to many days with you, Lucy, Thelma, and Marilyn. ❤️ Jan
I’m shedding tears pat.you have touched my wound of life.what ahealing message.
Love you pat
How great it is to hear from you again! I’m an original Woman of Faither and attend at least three conferences. I also have enjoyed your sense of humor! I went to the last one – Farewell Tour and was sad to hear you’all were retiring. Anyway, I know that the next conference I attend will be in heavenly places! Can’t wait! In His Name, Jane McRay