The News: Bad to Best

~ Barbaranne Kelly

Update, we’re positive for covid. Let’s break this down:

The bad news: we’re kinda sick and are isolating ourselves. We were exposed along with members of our extended family, one of whom is also positive, and another who is symptomatic and likely positive. We may have exposed others; they have been notified. Our daughter Erin will delay her holiday visit until we’re all recovered and can enjoy one another’s company without sharing this illness (which is also good news)

The good news: we’re vaccinated, and I got my booster a few weeks ago, so this is shaping up to be a mild illness. While in isolation Kate, Jim, and I are going to start Spanish language lessons together.

The sweet news: we have already received so many offers of help and food from dear friends and neighbors. Fortunately, our pantry and fridge are overflowing with the fixings for holiday feasting (purchased through the curbside option at our awesome local grocery), and we already feel quite well enough to cook it up. But we feel the love and are so grateful.

The best news: I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ.

He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from all the power of the devil.

He also preserves me in such a way that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, all things must work together for my salvation.

Therefore, by his Holy Spirit he also assures me of eternal life and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for him.

(borrowed from the Heidelberg Catechism answer to question 1, What is your only comfort in life and death?)

[Image from the movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, taken by me while watching it Christmas day.]

Published by Barbaranne Kelly

Barbaranne Kelly is a reader, writer, retreat speaker, and hospitality enthusiast. She and her husband Jim are members of Christ Presbyterian Church in New Braunfels, Texas where she serves on the women’s ministry team and leads women’s Bible studies. She has been blogging ever since she accidentally registered for a blog while attempting to comment on a friend’s post and figured, “Why not?” God has blessed Barbaranne and Jim with five fascinating children, two awesome sons-in-law, two amazing daughters-in-law, and four delightful grandsons. In all her roles it is Barbaranne’s sincere hope that she and those to whom she ministers may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge.

3 thoughts on “The News: Bad to Best”

  1. Praying your family recovers quickly. These are interesting times. This virus has caused us to slow down and listen while looking more closely at his patterns working out in our lives. We find ourselves being grateful as we give him praise in words, songs and actions.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. Pingback: God’s Unfolding Plan for Our Family, part 1 – Grateful

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