The photo has been in my text messages for a few weeks. It spoke to me deeply when I first saw it and has continued to speak to me since. Some conversations are had without a single word and I thank God for a cousin whose gift and encouragement often comes from behind the lens of a camera.
This weekend a few of us went and received our first dose of the vaccine. This is not a post to debate whether or not to vaccinate. It is a post about letting God direct our steps, decisions, and give His peace.
The decision was a hard and weighty one for us to make. The age and multiple comorbidities of family members made the decision a difficult one. So did apprehension, as we all heard and read of adverse reactions and side effects. It took weeks of struggling emotionally and mentally to make the decision to secure appointments.Â
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.”
(Proverbs 3:5-6, NASB)
The verses had been before me, pretty much since the beginning of the year, often at the forefront of my thoughts in weighing the decision. Options were weighed each day, and my heart was not settled, not in peace.Â
The arrival of the photo, however, began to turn the tide. This swan was in the water, totally calm, enjoying the day which surrounded him.
I opened to the photo several times, wondering what I was missing, asking the question, “What am I to learn from this swan?”
After asking the question, I began to notice the the ripples which surrounded by feathered friend. They were completely around him, yet he remained in his same peaceful posture.
“He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul. ”
(Psalm 23, NASB)
The words flowed together instead of the indicated verse breaks. As He leads us to still waters, even the ripples in life will not upset, overturn, or overtake us. It is in His still waters that our souls find restoration and remain in peace.
It’s been a hard year for us all. It’s been called unprecedented, historical, and life-changing. But in this year of change, He has remained unchanged. He has remained faithful. He has remained our shelter. He has remained our guide. He has remained God.
The decision was not an easy one as some would agree, and some would disagree. But this was not a debate but a decision led by the guidance of a faithful God and the peace He gives in the midst of decision making.
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”
(Mother Teresa)
And so, we cast our stones in the hopes of making a ripple. A ripple of change that will keep us and others safe. And healthy.
It saddens me deeply to see how divided we have become on so many issues. Barbara Harper reminds us to be a grace-filled people who “keep in mind God’s glory and our neighbor’s good.” Read her entire post HERE.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you. If you share on social media, the hashtag #LetsHaveCoffee would be greatly appreciated!
 Photo taken by: David Tommasino
Today I am joining … Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
I am so appreciative of the spirit behind your post. We are surrounded by swirling opinions and plenty of angst, and yet we can live in peace as we navigate this time and our big decisions.
Thank you, Michele. We each must navigate our decisions and the Lord will be our guide, providing wisdom and peace. Decisions may be different among people, and we need to be respectful, trusting the Lord has guided each one of us in His ways.
Thanks so much for sharing my post, Joanne. I had similar wrestlings over the vaccine in my own mind. I had a neurological illness several years ago that is sometimes caused by some vaccines (although that wasn’t my case) or can be affected by vaccines, so that added another layer of concerns. But my husband and I have health issues that COVID could affect negatively. We finally decided to get the vaccine as well. Whether we do or don’t, the need is the same to depend on God, follow His leading, and have His peace.
Barbara, it was my joy to share your post as it truly was a blessing to me. I appreciate that you shared of your own decision. And as always, you shared wisdom in closing: “Whether we do or don’t, the need is the same to depend on God, follow His leading, and have His peace.” May we be ever dependent and held in His peace. The best place to be!
Proverbs 3:5-6 are my focus verses for 2021. I’m glad you were able to find peace about your vaccination decision. We had a white swan appear on the lake behind our house on New Year’s Day, shortly after my father had been diagnosed with cancer. It was strangely calming to me, too, to see the swan and accept God’s gift of peace in that day. The swan never returned after that one day, but thankfully God’s peace has.
Lisa, I so enjoyed reading of your swan experience and appreciate that you shared it. I am so grateful for the way God speaks to my heart through my day to day experiences. The gift of His peace is one I do not take for granted, and like you, am grateful He provides His peace time and time again.
Joanne, such a meaningful post. So many times it is not about the decisions we make, but how we make them. Trusting & seeking God brings peace to those decisions. Your analogy of the ripples is such a blessing because sometimes we feel our actions have no value, but again, God controls the outcomes, our part is to move in faith. Thank you for such a blessing to my day!
What a beautiful way to make difficult decisions, Joanne! What if we all took this approach (and kept our vociferous opinions to ourselves)–allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us through our fears and the decision-making process.
I can see why you were drawn to the swan picture. Love the idea of ripples surrounding the swan, but the swan still in the middle of peace. So like our trust and relationship with God. Troubles beset us, but we can have the peace of God.
On our Alaskan trip I was intrigued by swans – I looked for them and we stopped to admire them every chance. Beautiful post. Whether I agree with your decision or not – it was YOUR decision to make. God bless you.
I love how you approach this topic, Joanne. Yes, let’s allow God to guide our decisions. In my case, I also had some help from my doctor, a Christian woman who is my age. She pointed me to some reading she had done about the vaccine, which helped to ease my mind on the subject.
Thank you for sharing this. I love how God guides and reassures. He is so creative.
Living Proverbs 3:5-6 is my goal. I say it, I write it and I pray it and yet I still too frequently struggle to live it!
Joanne, I’m so glad you were able to work through all your anxiety and arrive at the decision that is right for you. And how like our loving heavenly Father to send a photo of a swan to help you in that process. Hugs and happy day after Easter, my friend!