Do you remember the character from the Charlie Brown series that was called “Pig Pen”? He seemed to have somewhat of a smile on his face and smudges of dirt all over his clothes and face. He also had a cloud of dust that was surrounding his legs and feet.
Isn’t that a perfect example of how we all feel right now? The smudges are all of our “normal” pressures that go with living this life on planet earth. Everyone is going through some kind of issues. We have illnesses with loved ones, know of friends and family with no jobs, cancer, divorces, family pressures…the list goes on.
Those are the smudges all over us.
Then add the worldwide pandemic and unrest, the national issues on top of all of that…
That cloud of dust that follows Pig Pen around is there with all of us.
The Father has been leading me to several passages of scripture lately. And basically they all say….”Keep your eyes off the smudges, because if you rub them they just get worse, they won’t always go away. Keep your eyes on the Father and the source of those battles, they are not what you think.”
Colossians 3:2-4 (AMP) Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]. For you died [to this world], and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, [a]appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory
Ephesians 6:12-15 Amplified Bible (AMP) “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. So stand firm and hold your ground, having [a]tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage) around your waist and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (an upright heart), and having [b]strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news].”
I think the cloud and smudges are not going any where honestly. So we have a choice…where does our focus need to be? I know that I need that reminder over and over. May you be encouraged with that reminder today.
Tammy Allgaier is a retired special education teacher, current author, blogger and radio announcer for WBVN. Most importantly, she is a grandmother to her beautiful granddaughter Norah. Oh yeah, and a wife to Alphonse of 40 years and the proud mom and mom-in-love to Austin and Brittany and Taylor and Brittany. And yes, you read that right, both sons married beautiful women named Brittany. Oscar, their Westie, keeps the empty nest not quite as empty. After all these years of marriage, a few books and paintings later, they started their own website at apenandbrush.com, where they share their creative designs, books and encouraging blog posts. She has also has maintained a blog over the last seven years, “Encouragement for Today” at www.yelobrd777.com She drinks too much coffee, loves to read and write constantly and loved Downton Abbey. Helicopter rides are now off the bucket list and on the as “often as possible” list, due to an early anniversary surprise from her husband. Give her an ocean side seat or her back porch, a sunrise or sunset, some CCM, a good book and she is content. Not to mention she loves jeep’n and a whole lot of Jesus. Tammy waited 25+ years to finish writing and publish a book that the Father had called her to write. “Peace in the Midst” Book 1 of the UNEXPECTED GIFT series was published November ’18 and “Seaside Change-A Novella w/Companion 30 Day Devotional and Discussion Guide” was published August ’19. “Take Heart” the second book in the UNEXPECTED GIFT Series is about to be published. Fear stopped her all those years. Tammy knows that “fear is opposite of faith” and will continue to write, encourage others and fall more and more in love with Jesus.
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