When C19 started, I thought I would be the exception.  I was certain that while the world was about to experience fear on a scale it hadn’t seen in a century, I was going to be the one who reminded people they were loved, and that there was always reason to choose joy.

And at first, I was.  I was intentional, even making notes of encouragement to look back on, who I’d helped, so when the stalling that would certainly come did, I could self-encourage and press on in love.  I would remain a bright light of the world, and remind others they were too.

But it’s been almost four years.  And guys, it has to have been some of the hardest years of my life.  I’ve beat myself up a LOT in this refining fire.  But God showed me something.  And it knocked my socks off.

I may be the exception.  The light of the world that KNOWS it and has been purposed with enlightening others with the same great news.  But….

I needed to know what it was like to be the rule.

It’s sucked.  But…

We wake the world up to Jesus by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony…if I had perfected the process the first time…what would I have learned?  What could I tell others in the future? “Hey, I handled this whole season like a boss.  You should be able to too!” Where’s the empathy in that? The connection?

Nah.  My story, My testimony, empowered by the good news that is Christ, is now: “Hey.  It’s hard.  I know.  Here’s what happened with me.  BUT GOD….”  …insert your story of hope in Christ here.

This time I see more.

Even as the world appears shaken, all this time I was in training.

More is coming.  I can feel it.  I think we call can.  But God.

He will not be shaken.

WE will not be shaken.

Words have power. He said it. Now so do I.

I am the exception.  You can be too.  WE ARE HERE to make LIGHT and LOVE the rule.