Yesterday, I eyed Gary’s sharp-looking, “gym” jeans thinking maybe they would fit me. He watched as I was stepping into them, defying gravity with strategic maneuvers. Of course, I heard his words, “They aren’t going to fit!”

Well, guess what, they didn’t. Even though the faded label on my jeans shows “size 10,” I am in chagrin while trying to zipper his jeans over . . . well, let’s just say, due to the winds of time, the sands have shifted.

The truth is this: Not being able to work out at the gym for weeks on end—plus being in a bit of shock over what’s happening worldwide—has no doubt brought shifting sands to many a “bod”—and certainly faster than we intended. That was a mouthful, but I have to start laughing about it so as to not feel disparagement. At least the bathroom mirror hasn’t cracked, yet, as I peer into it.

Yes, Gary and I are still able to talk sweetly to one another and enjoy our days together. Not yet tempted to go “screaming into the desert, such as people joke about doing.” After all, we are told by the Governor, stay home and hang in there! What helps by yards and miles is to keep our focus. We know this won’t last forever, it just seems like it will. The best of all ways to focus, no matter what else goes on in history, is truth. And, the greatest of all truths is in Scripture where we are told in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”

What on earth might be more lovely than the baby quails just now seen running and hiding amongst the shrubs, right here at home?

Rabbits are everywhere, some jumping over each other. Just watching them helps saneness during this most unusual time of living with uncertainties that we dare not let our minds play with. Yet, God has given us a wonderful world and much within it is “of good report.” Noble people abide, here, with us. Like those at our local Food Bank who risk their own safety through staying put with the task of handing out food to the hungry.

It seems doubtful there is anyone alive on the globe that has seen days wherein outs to the grocery store become the highlight of a day, a great quest to discover what’s available today. It seems the pandemic has lasted for months forcing changes, blocking our usual pattern of living. Yet, thank God for Havasu’s gorgeous lake, mountains and sunny days. Walks in the park find us wondering why we haven’t done this for years! Now, there is time . . . time to ponder what is most important in life. It is also a time during which most of us can get more rest—and consequently, take on more pounds.

While trying to stay fit in our jeans, the most fitting of all things is to abide in Christ by savoring the beauty of His Word. Think of the profoundness that comes through a verse like Romans 8:28, that truly fits our situation, “We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.”

A passage read this morning brought the Psalmist, David, back to mind. He said to the Lord, “My times are in your hand.” We, too, are going through a battle of sorts while knowing life could be at stake. Yet, a much different one from King David and the battles he faced alongside his armies. We can’t see our enemy. It may be the fear of what we cannot see that brings the unnerving sense of what is happening to us right now. And—what do we see—nearly every time we open the computer? Pictures of the coronavirus . . . The other day, I caught myself washing my hands after closing the lid. Thoughts of hoping to escape the coronavirus are ubiquitous—and we certainly don’t want this virus to rise its thorny little head as we blissfully sleep come night.

This is new to us! I remember my Dad saying as encouragement when I was afraid to try something new. He would watch and say, “That’s the stuff!” as I progressed. Truth be known God is watching over us. Scripture says, “God has not given the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind.” That’s the Spirit we can get in touch with.

So God has the “stuff” and surely we need not lament the fact that lack of action now finds us stuffing ourselves into our “comfies.” The best thought to hold is we are not hungry . . . at least probably not in Lake Havasu. We have our notable Food Bank—proof that the most generous people on earth live here!

Last week, a “little bird” told me something truly awesome. She works at the Food Bank and here are her words, “”Incredible news! Today at the Food Bank we had more donations than clients. There was a line of people with cars full of donated food and checks. People were signing over their stimulus checks to us saying they didn’t need it and knew we did. Faith in humanity restored. God is good and the people in this town are very generous!”

Now, this fits!