Fear not, Fret not, Faint not!

What a surprise when several loud bangs erupted around the neighborhood at midnight on New Year’s Eve. Of course, how could I have forgotten the fireworks?

As I lay there listening to them, no sounds came from the front room where our dog lay wrapped up in a fleecy blanket with his head on an old pillow. TJ and Al seemed to be sleeping right through the commotion.

Then, there was an extremely loud explosion and TJ made a beeline into our bedroom. I signaled for him to come over to my side of the bed and put my right arm around him, whispering, “It’s okay,” over and over.

Al still hadn’t stirred, a good thing. When the commotion gradually died down, TJ was able to go back to his pillow. Fear not, TJ!

On the Tuesday before New Year’s Day, Al and I had driven north to Petoskey, our first getaway in several months. Actually, it was my request, wanting to see Lake Michigan and walk along the shore looking for Petoskey stones, the fossilized coral unique to that area.

The manager of the hotel where we were staying discouraged us from doing that because the wet rocks on the beach were covered with snow and were slippery. He even gave me a couple of the fossils, courtesy of his daughters who enjoyed collecting them too.

 We did take a drive along the lake shore and spent a few minutes standing on the beach. It felt good—cold, but good!  Later that afternoon, Al and I walked down to the indoor pool at the hotel. The hot tub was packed with people…a great thing to do on a dismal day.  

He and I decided not to linger, with the highly contagious coronavirus always hanging like a cloud over our heads. Even with vaccinations, there was still the possibility. Now if only the virus let off little flashes like fireflies so that we could see it…then we wouldn’t worry…or would we?

 Al began feeling sick soon after getting home on Thursday afternoon. We stayed indoors on New Year’s Eve and all weekend too, but decided to get tested for covid on Monday morning. Surprise! Al tested positive and I tested negative!

With all of the precautions and fretting on our part, the virus still managed to break through the vaccines and infect him with a light case. Fret not! The Lord is with us!

Now we are in the middle of the quarantine period. But it seems like that is all we have been doing for the past two years. When will it end?

The irony is that Al seems to be getting better, while I’m still sick. I stayed on the couch most of the day today, trying to avoid TJ’s sad glances. No plans to go out walking, TJ.  Sorry. Faint not, Judy! Stay strong in faith and let the healing process take its own time.

Fear not! Fret not! Faint not! Good words to remember always, right?

The angel Gabriel repeated the words “Fear not!” when he appeared to Zechariah the priest, Joseph and Mary too. The shepherds out in the field were also told not to be afraid when an angel of the Lord appeared to them with the announcement of the birth of the Messiah, Jesus.

Fret not! On the eve of His arrest, Jesus told His disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me.” (John 14:1 NIV) Rather than worrying about the future we are to put our trust completely in our loving heavenly Father and in our Lord Jesus who gave His life as a love offering for our sins.

Faint not! Isaiah the prophet reminded the people of Israel that God doesn’t grow tired or weary and that those who hope in Him would “soar on wings like eagles, would “run and not grow weary,” and “walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31) More and more these days, I’m hanging on to these promises. How about you?

Help us dear Lord to have your peace of mind. Take away all fear and worry. Please give us endurance and strength to face each new day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 NIV