Quarantine Day 42. NYC
There’s a new feeling in the air these days. One that is sweeping through households and generations with reckless abandon these days as we’re all confined to our homes in a quarantine that, for those outside of NYC/NJ and other intense hotspots, is beginning to seem excessive, and an overexertion of restriction on our freedom.
That feeling we’re grappling with, is restlessness.
We’re all staring out our windows at the blooming tulips and bright blue skies, and just itching to get out there and start living again.
For the majority of the country, aside from NYC where I live, the total disruption of our lives and economy in response to the coronavirus, now seems like it could have been overkill. “The boogey man took residence elsewhere – not in our communities. Not in our circles. It’s confined to what we see on the news, and that’s about it.”
It’s up for debate, but many are feeling like they are sacrificing their lives and livelihood for a statistical model that predicted a worst case that never materialized.
And as a result, we’re getting restless.
The masks. The social distancing. The restrictions on our comings and goings — cancelation of church, suspension of school, closing of restaurants and retail, halting of jobs, calling off vacations, weddings, ceremonies.
We’ve grown restless. And we’re fed up.
I was talking to my mom about this today. How, people are just flooding parks and walking trails, grasping for any tiny bit of freedom and connection with others during this time of quarantine and isolation.
She’s seeing it in herself, and I’m seeing it in me, too. That desperation for connection and normalcy.
We’ve reached the end of our rope.
After our phone call, I was praying about how to write about this today. Asking the Holy Spirit to move in my heart, and give me the words to calm a restless heart, and what kept coming to mind was Psalm 23 — one of the most well known, and well loved scriptures in the Bible.
The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I lack.
In green pastures He makes me lie down; to still waters He leads me;
He restores my soul.
And to be honest, I resisted writing about this. It was so overplayed. So eye-rollingly simple and cliched. It seemed almost insulting to respond to our hearts aching with restlessness, with little old Psalm 23. It’s what grandmothers needlepoint on throwpillows…not how one responds to a pandemic.
But the more I resisted, the harder it kept pressing into my mind. So I decided to just start writing. And here’s what I got:
Right now, we are in a once-in-a-lifetime situation. Truly. There will, God willing, probably never be another global shutdown like there is right now. A world-wide pause. A collective halt that we are forced to comply with.
Is our restlessness warranted? Yes. Absolutely. Are we justified for wanting to return to our fast paced life, and get back to the movin’ and shakin’ we’ve grown accustomed to? Of course.
But in thinking about that time pre-quarantine, and really reflecting on it…how many times was I truly exhausted?
So often I would find my heart weary, having let it become too familiar with bad habits, or grueling schedules, that by the end of the day my soul would be like a deflated balloon.
This is such a unique time that God has given us. He is making us lie down in this green pasture. A green pasture that that might not match the image that comes to mind when we envision this cliched passage. Perhaps we may even think we’re currently in more of a desert right now than a green pasture.
But He is our Shepherd and is providing for us exactly what we need.
The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I lack.
And I’m even willing to bet that when we hear “there is nothing I lack” – we scoff a bit, and think…how about, being able to see my friends, having that paycheck this month, going on my cancelled vacation, etc.”
But at the end of the day, are we truly lacking anything? We’ve got food, we’ve got shelter. We’ve got connection — even if virtually — with loved ones.
This is the green pasture that God has led us to.
And the greenery we have available to us is Him.
He is our sustenance right now.
I think, at least for me, before all of this, I was finding my sustenance elsewhere: in my social life, in what I could achieve career wise, in cute clothes, and a constant stream of superficial securities that just flat out don’t matter in the grand scheme of things.
We have been brought to a green pasture to feed on that which truly restores our soul, just like He promised He would do.
We have come to the still water, and it turns out that “still” can be difficult. “Still” can be hard for those addicted to action. It sure is for me.
But perhaps, this times of forced stillness and pause is exactly what we need.
We’re finally realizing that we’re starving. And it is my prayer that we can all come to recognize that there’s only one true sustenance.
And lucky for us, that’s what’s available in the green pasture in which we find ourselves this very moment.
I don’t know if that solves our restlessness. But perhaps we are to remember that this season will not last forever. And I think we need to look around and realize that the Good Shepherd has led us to this particular pasture for a reason. The pasture where we are to fill up on His love, His mercy, His peace, grace, and abounding comfort — and drink in His stillness.
Because when else have we ever had this privilege of time and ability to do so?
Restless? Nah – it is an opportunity for restoration of soul.
“This is what the Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” Ez 37:5
A big thank you to my foundational sponsor, BetterHelp Online Therapy. I cannot begin to express how beneficial therapy was for my recovery from anorexia. Speak with an online therapist. Or check out content about eating disorders from BetterHelp.
***THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS ORDERED MY BOOKS, BLOOM: A JOURNAL BY BEAUTYBEYONDBONES AND “MY BLOGGING TIPS“***Click to order your copy!
SIGN UP BELOW FOR MY FREE NEWSLETTER!
GET MY DAILY VIDEOS, RECIPES AND POSTS DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX!
[mc4wp_form id=”30616″]
Here was yesterday’s video! https://youtu.be/8pmp4ZI968A
MAGIC TOOTHPASTE? Yes! I am in love with this superior whitening toothpaste. It keeps my smile sparkling, without sensitivity or bleach! I made a website where you can directly order this miracle product! So if you want to give it a try, you can go ahead and grab a tube for yourself. I promise, your smile will thank you!Get a tube!
I had so much fun going through the FabFitFun winter box — it’s filled with awesome products — from beauty, to fitness, fashion, skincare, home — all full size, valued at over $250, but sold for only $39.99 when you use my code “SANTABABY!”
Be sure to check out my affiliate, Audible. Listening to audiobooks while I cook is literally my new favorite thing. And just for you, they’re offering a Free 30-Day Trial Membership. And with this free membership, you’re going to get 2 free audiobooks! Literally. Free. It is the best deal ever. And if for some reason, you decide it’s not for you, you can cancel within those 30 days and it’s zero money out of your pocket, plus, you get to keep the 2 audiobooks. Soooo…it’s pretty much a no brainer. Plus, it’s a free and easy way to support this blog! So thank you!!
Huge shoutout to my favorite: Ethos Spa Skin and Laser Center in Summit, New Jersey! Located just outside of NYC, this gorgeous medical spa keeps my skin healthy and bright! Stop in and treat yo’self! 🙂
STAY CONNECTED!
@beauty.beyond.bones – Instagram
For Podcast versions of my posts, please check out Patreon! It’s only $2 a month!! You make this blog possible 🙂
And really quickly, I’ve had several questions concerning my Amazon link (amazon.com/shop/beautybeyondbones) — You do not need to buy one of my specific highlighted products on my page, in order for it to “credit” my account. Any purchases that you search or make from anywhere on Amazon, after first visiting my Amazon page, will credit this blog and help support this blog ministry. I am truly so grateful and appreciative to those of you wanting to do so! So thank you! Again, it is an absolutely free, and easy way for you to help keep this blog going!
194 responses to “A Desert of Green”
He is our sustenance! 🙌. No matter how many times we read the Bible, It can still provide fresh inspiration each time. to address an existing need.
Love the still water illustration. Blessingsz💚
Yes He is!! You’re so right about that 🙂 Thanks for stopping by! stay well! Hugs and love xox
Have you seen the pictures and articles in the news about nature restoring itself? There are before and after pictures of such places like Hong Kong, the after pictures showing clear skies. I think there was one from Japan with a view of Mt. Fuji from a city that never gets to see it for the pollution. There was also a video of a jellyfish swimming along a canal in Venice; never seen before.
It’s starting to make me think that this may end up being more of a paradigm shift than a shut down to stem the viral tide. Many people can’t wait to reignite the economic engine, but I wonder how many people will get their first real taste of clean skies, views, air, and water and wonder if we can’t try to keep those somehow.
But too many people depend on the industrial machine for a living, so will the pollution come back, or will there be a dieback, not from the virus, but from the economic shift toward a cleaner economy?
As you pointed out; we’re in uncharted waters. And for as long as it lasts…take a deep breath, feast on the green, and find out how much farther you can see than before as God’s creation rights itself.
Hi Jeff! I have! It is remarkable, isn’t it?! Definitely makes you think. I do hope that some of these changes continue on to some degree once things open up again. thanks for sharing your thoughts on this!! Safe sailing in these uncharted waters 🙂 big hugs to you and your girls! xox
So much time in introspection and revelation. Most of us need that human connection along with the spiritual connection. The fact that we cannot spend time in human presence is the withdrawal we all feel. Some find the good, some feel despair. Me I have ok days and down days. I am glad though, it has allowed my youngest sister and I to bond more, even just via txt. The Lord worked in mysterious ways last year when I discovered my birth mom accidentally.
Thank you friend – you’re right about that – we are all feelin git differently. I’m glad you’re able to bond with your sister!! that’s so great 🙂 stay well my friend! Hugs and love xox
I really should write about that one day.
I’d love to read your words about it!
You know Proverbs says, “God ponders the ways of man.” I have often thought about that not only with this virus stuff, but like when it rains people complain they want sun. When He sends sun then they want coolness and rain. No matter what He does it is one complain after the other.
I always have thought He looks at Jesus and says, “Idiots, this is another fine mess they have gotten themselves into, that I am going to have to get them out of !”
The main point is to see God in it all. To trust that He has all of this and has allowed it for a reason. Maybe it is to slow us down, as most assuredly that is what it has done.
Then again maybe He is saying to us, “Can you spend time with me instead of going to the movies?”
He allowed a lot to happen to Israel, and the main reason was their disobedience and not believing He would save them. I look back at them and think, “How much like them we have become?’
I know one time I was going to work and asking God, “God how could they do that to you. You parted a sea, rained down manna from heaven, made water flow from a rock, and they made a molten calf to worship.”
His reply to me was, “How many times have I parted seas for you, and how many times have you made a molten calf?” That happened in the 80’s and I have never forgotten it!
Maybe He is just plain tired of our “calves.” Love you more, God Bless, SR
Hi interesting – thank you for sharing that – something to think about – maybe He’s tired of our calves! What a powerful consideration!! stay well! Hugs and love xox
I have many christian friends IRL and online. For them I offer this
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
Corinthians 4:16-18
Getting money to buy things is critical, we should all be honest about that. However will we return to the same notions of need as we had before? I dont know, I suspect this event will change some people for the better as they invest in the “unseen”. You’re doing great, you are a person of faith and that is an incredibly powerful thing.
Your pagan friend,
Karac
Hi Karac! Thank you for sharing that – yeah, it will be interesting to see how the world moves forward, and which of these changes we will carry forward with us. stay well! Hugs and love xox
He is our one true sustenance. What you said is so right that in the busyness of doing many things we unknowingly keep those superficial things as our source. This time has reminded us of the need to go back to our first love- Jesus.
He really is!! thank you friend 🙂 I love how you put that — He is our first love! amen! stay well!! Hugs and love xox
This is a very nice and positive way looking at this situation. A global pause to restore and nourish ourselves!
Thank you so much Ab! Yes! Nourish with the best source of nourishment 🙂 stay well! Hugs and love xox
YES! Nothing more than an opportunity to become closer to HIM😊 well said my friend. Stay in and stay safe. It won’t last forever God will heal. We must flatten the curve as much as possible the peak time is coming i have been praying for NY. Take care ❤
thank you friend – you’re right about that – God will heal! and thank you for your prayers:) they are working! stay well! Hugs and love xox
Beautifully written, Caralyn 😊🤗
aw thank you so much 🙂 glad it hit home with you 🙂 hope oyu’re having a good week my friend. Hugs and love xox
All is well, thank you. Hugs and love xoxo
good, glad to hear!!
🥰🤗
🙂
Caralyn what is that Face? You don’t cook that bad right?
haha
Silly girl eh! Why not, laughing is good for the soul; and after being all cooped up we all need some of that! 👏🏼
👍🏼
I love this!! And so awesome, I had Bible Study this morning and we focused on Psalm 23.
aw thank you so much! isn’t it such a beautiful psalm? It’s as though He knew that we would one day need to hear those comforting words 😉 stay well! Hugs and love xox
Caralyn,
Very true what you said here and it is most likely a test too. An opportunity to let go of things that don’t matter and look only to Him for insight as to where we’ve been going wrong! If our faith is genuine and true then we can let go and let God! Maybe now we get to see how much we mean this?
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 ❤
thank you Lawrence. I love that verse from proverbs. thanks for sharing. stay well! Hugs and love xox
Good to hear and I agree it’s an awesome beautiful one; one of my top favorite along with the 23rd Psalm. You do the same and goodnight! Hugs and love XOX
🙌🏼
I don’t think I will ever go back to how I lived my life before but I would love to, I have started supporting people, charities and causes that I did not even know existed before the lock down. Found your blog (the highlight of all this whole mess of course) I sometimes feel like I am speaking in tongues now. I came out to my employer parents, Doctos and the lovely NHS and a lot of other people in the real world about a serious metal health condition that I have that I am still to ashamed to blog about. It’s one of the last taboo conditions in the mental health world I even had a verbal fight with my Dad tonight because I read to him some of my recovery plan about what I am going through and he said with views like mine that I am too ill to start a new job that I have been given and I would fail. I was so angry at him for his doubt. My anger stems from if someone that has known me from the day I was born and knows me so well, does not have faith in me why do I have faith in myself and why should anyone else have faith in me. I guess it is time for a leap of faith on my part and try to lead and show him by example that I can and do live a full and normal life regardless of the label of my mental health dignosis. If you have finished reading this now well thank you for taking the time out to do so and I hope you are ok. God bless
thank you for sharing your thoughts on this. and gosh, thanks for saying that about my blog! I’m sorry that you’re going through that with your dad. hang in there. I’m praying for you!! hang in there friend. Hugs and love xox
Thank you Caralyn and for the record I have Paranoid Schizophrenia and had my first psychosis when I was 19 at uni. I am 43 now and just been hit with my first psychosis after 10 years of being well and living a normal life. I had a horrific chest infection in Janaury which triggered it. My parents thing I had Corin-19 which triggered my latest episode. So don’t worry I don’t think I am your Christian Gods Jesus or even God himself that really would be bat shit crazy. Sorry for the swearing it some how felt appropriate. Thank you for your prayer I hope it is heard and does not fall on deaf ears. Cwtch from me on the other side of a sea in Devonx
I appreciate you sharing that. I’m glad you’re doing better post-January. Hugs and love xox
Hi, I believe the Lord will restore our souls. In fact I have sensed partly by reading blogs that Covid-19 is making some Christians re think their faith & trust in God. I also believe that because of covid-19 it has made the non believers turn to God and that there maybe a revival in the churches😀Hope you are safe & well btw😄
Hi Kenneth! thank you for this! i know you’re right – God is in control! stay well! Hugs and love xox
So glad you concluded the same as me. This time is precious. My personal view of this is that God is absolutely using this time to restore us and give us the opportunity to reconnect with him and the things that matter. It must be very hard for you but I am grateful we are being protected. My feeling is we will have a whole new appreciation of many things after isolation and I don’t just mean toilet paper.
thank you so much! yes! it really is a precious time – i just wish i was with my family for it all. haha love the toilet paper joke! 🙂 Hugs and love xox
Hey, there, BBB, it is your friend Odell in for the conversation tonight again. Joining your blog is something I look forward to doing. Your post tonight is a great read, really good form, in my humble opinion.
You mention that you were starting to feel like you were being superficial, before the lockdown, but I don’t think so. I always give a girl the benefit of the doubt, and you never struck me as being superficial at all. I always found your blog genuine and intelligent.
It has occurred to me a little that, with a mind like yours, you could be putting your talents to a different use, of course. You might have the impression, by comments that speak to that kind of thing, that I reason that you are doing precisely what you feel is best, and in fact, I don’t entertain any other train of thought than that, very often, whatsoever.
I have just had a humbling life experience, where a successful life blog I follow, a Dr. Eric Perry, proposed yesterday the idea of a directory for his readership, and I tried my chances at a listing, which he declined to accept. He refused my comment that would have led me to become one of those particular members. I can feel comfortable with being more humble, of course, and perhaps I will let a few efforts I had in mind, to pursue, fall by the wayside, but it was not the most inclusive decision on the part of Dr. Perry.
It’s all good, however. I reflected that if I am being truthful, what I want is to get on with the bit where I participate in the conversation you lead. Getting here I was relieved to find you in good form again tonight, and also that you have some great insights, providing an antidote to the anxiety of living in lockdown.
I am always happy to hear back from you. Please keep up the great approach you have, whatever remorse you’ve encountered in yourself about the past. Ta ta for now!
Hi Odell!! first of all, thank you for those kind words 🙂 means a lot. and i’m so glad you enjoyed the piece and are joining the convo!!! Hmm, i’m sorry about that with Dr. Perry. Yeah, living in lockdown has definitely brought out a lot of time to ponder life! ta ta for now! stay well! Hugs and love xox
Take care Carolyn.
thank you friend 🙂 you too! stay well! Hugs and love xox
I love this and where you are in your faith walk.
Hi Niki! oh gosh that’s so kind of you to say, thank you 🙂 stay well my friend! Hugs and love xox
I love that wildlife seems to be reclaiming a bit of territory, whilst we are off the scene.
I do too!! it is really a beautiful result of all of this! i hope humanity is taking note! stay well! Hugs and love xox
Beautiful and wise words as always!
thank you so much Susan! that means a lot 🙂 hope oyu’re hanging in there! stay well! Hugs and love xox
“Restless? Nah – it is an opportunity for restoration of soul.” I love this! Thank you!
aw thank you Amy! I do love a good play on words 🙂 hehehehehe glad it resonated with you! hope you’re having a good week, my friend! stay well! Hugs and love xox
I agree, thank you for sharing, I have been thinking the very same thing, though I probably could not express myself as eloquently as you. Bless You!
thank you so much Veronica! glad it resonated with you! Yeah, there’s a lot of restlessness in the air. Hang in there friend! Hugs and love xox
It’s so hard to know what to say right now, but I believe you got it exactly spot on. “lie down in green pastures….green deserts.” It’s such a God thing that you thought of it that way. When we say “with us through the valley of death” it doesn’t mean we don’t have to go through the valleys, darn it, just that He goes with us. Thank you for this great piece of writing.
Thank you so much friend! I’m so glad this hit home with you! You’re right about that! It doesn’t mean we won’t experience those valleys, but that He is right there with us, and what a beautiful and comforting truth! stay well! Hugs and love xox
Caralyn, many feel restless but this only shows that there is an emptiness that only God can feel. We are in a time of enormous change. We will never go back to the old ways again.
For the first time in thousands of years, we were locked down in our homes on Passover, (Easter), just as the Israelites were after they put the blood of the lamb on their doorposts. Every home with the blood was spared from having their first born child, cattle, etc. killed by the death angel. They then left the slavery of Egypt, with silver and gold that their neighbors gave them. It was their wages for 400 years of slavery. They were on their way to their Promised Land but had a few tests to pass. They saw the Red Sea swallow their enemies, who they never saw again.
So we are coming into a new era and a place we have never been previously. It will be good but will require reliance on God. We will really know him and see wonderful provision for all we need. The restlessness will leave because we are coming into a new place.
Love and hugs! xo
Hi friend, wow what an incredibly powerful point. you’re so right – that “God-sized hole” is what leads to that restlessness, and the quarantine has placed a big ole magnifying glass on that hole and given us the time and silence to really see it. Thank you for this beautiful comment. You’re so right – reliance on Him! stay well! Hugs and love xox
Loved this post; I completely agree. I’ve even been thinking lately that I wouldn’t mind if the lockdown lasted longer, simply because I have witnessed so many positive things and it has been freeing to have less distractions! (Not that I want to be separated from friends and family any longer, but I hope my point makes sense). Anyway, hang in there, sounds like you’re doing great. 🙂
Thanks Hannah 🙂 I definitely get what you’re saying. There’s a lot of good that has come from this time. Hang in there! Hugs and love xox
Great story. Thank you for sharing. I cannot wait to get back out.
Thank you so much JB! Same here, friend. Same here! stay well! Hugs and love xox
You are very graciously welcome so much BBB!!!
xoxo 🙂
xoxo 🙂xoxo 🙂xoxo 🙂xoxo 🙂
🙂
🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂
Yes everyone is getting restless in lockdown. Most families are able to cope but some can’t and those who are single have it really rough and have a tendency to rebel. Interesting that some countries got on top of the virus quickly and removed restrictions. They are now being hit with a second wave because of opening up so our government is watching that and being more cautious about lifting restrictions for a while longer. We are well cared for by our government and those unemployed because of lockdowns get government assistance. Sweden took a different approach and let the virus have it’s way knowingly feeling letting the whole population be exposed would build immunity and they also calculated knowingly that a significant number of their population would die because of that decision. If we extend that logic then why run hospitals at all? Let those that get sick die and let Mother Nature determine who should live and who should die. I’m glad our government has a different view and values all lives and tries to save them if they can.
Thanks so much Ian. Yeah, the restlessness is definitely being felt here in isolation! oh gosh, yeah that’s concerning about the second wave. We will need to be very strategic. stay well!! Hugs and love xox
Amen, Caralyn. And beautifully written. The pasture where we are to fill up…
Thank you
thanks so much David, yes! Hugs and love xox
“We can take this opportunity to recognize that “our happiness depends largely on living in communion with those our lives are naturally intertwined.”
oh yes, that is so true!! communion with others is a beautiful beautiful thing!
Hope you’re staying well! Hugs and love xox
Hope all is well keep posting great stuff
Thanks so much 🙂 I hope the same for you! Stay well! Hugs and love xox
Restoration 🌷 Absolutely 💕
Yes!! Thanks Krista! Hope you’re hanging in there! Hugs and love xox
Thanks for sharing! Your word is dead on 👍😊 God bless you with peace but also a speedy return to normalcy again. We definitely aren’t made to be solitary creatures for so long
Aw thank you so much!! I appreciate that. You’re right- we’re created for community! Stay well! Hugs and love xox
thanks for the boost tonight. Ps 23. The LORD makes us take a pause, for our good. And Ezra 37. great visual of God breathing life back into spiritually dead . we esp need this at this time. xxoo
Thanks so much Eric! So glad it resonated with you! yes!! what a comforting truth! Hugs and love xox
My dear Caralyn,
In these difficult times, we all have to learn to be patient. Patience is a wonderful virtue that lets us act, think, and speak wisely – only our mind is impatient and is on fire. Focusing our attention on our beloved Lord will make these flames burn in itself – it is a big lesson we all can learn from this global halt of social activities, worldwide isolation.
I believe that God wants us to use this time to reflect on one’s own life and the meaning and purpose of life – before, we always used excuses and said: we have no time and rushed from one thing to another without even thinking about its meaning – now this time has come to sit silently in contemplation allowing us to dig deep in our own lives, to come out with more consciousness, to get a better understanding of the meaning and purpose of life, a life that is pregnant allowing us to harvest its fruits.
Regarding the sense that we all are one, sitting all in the same boat, I have once written a poem.
Stay safe my friend, from my heart to yours.
Much love and many hugs to you.
Didi
A Cosmic Dream
Life travels along
Like pearls on a string
From moment to moment
Yesterday was today
And today is already tomorrow
All are connected – endlessly
Beyond time and space
I am you
You are me
A cosmic network
All are here at the same time
Separate us in consciousness
Like a wandering flash
Of Light and Being
Together and against each other
We are all one
Ripples in the stillness of time
Spaces without space
A divine dream
Unique in Uniqueness…
Walking stars…
DidiArtist, 15.04.2020
Thank you Didi – you’re so right – this is a unique time for reflection and getting to know Him. Thanks for sharing your beautiful poem. Hugs and love xox
Take care, my friend 🙂
Hugs and love
Didi
xoxox 🙂 xoxox
“Right now, we are in a once-in-a-lifetime situation. Truly. There will, God willing, probably never be another global shutdown like there is right now. A world-wide pause. A collective halt that we are forced to comply with.” A true gift.
Thank you friend – i appreciate you stopping by! Hugs and love xox
As always, beautifully written. I love watching your spiritual growth, your personal relationship coming alive with truth and renewed strength. More importantly, I find your willingness to share your journey so refreshing. Keep up your ready pen to paper, it is so needed to inspire others.
From a fellow adventurer and explorer of God’s daily lessons, Judy
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
Thank you so much Judy! i really appreciate your kindness! i love that verse so much – very comforting! Hugs and love xox
Great post! And agreed we are all restless here in southwest Florida. And yes, I believe the unwelcome reset is what I needed for sure. Here’s a 10 min guided meditation our team put together on Psalm 23! https://youtu.be/bSyNqz4epDc
Thank you so much friend! oh wow i can’t wait to check that out!! here’s to more rest! Hugs and love xox
Thanks for the reminder Caralyn. Needed words in a time of restlessness and uncertainty and growing impatience. And a little of U.S. entitlement seeping in too. But God is in control amidst all this. And as you said so beautifully we need to rest in him. The Shepherd always cares for his flock. Thanks again Your words continue to call me back to God’s side. Keep sharing your oh so important message. John
Thanks so much John! you’re right about that – He is in control, and it’s a comforting thing to remember that! stay well! Hugs and love xox
I appreciate your insight. I have to agree with you that He does provide everything we need even if we see all we are lacking, and that now is a perfect opportunity to take advantage of the pause. Good post ☺️
Thank you Courtney! He really is the great provider. how grateful am I for that! stay well friend! Hugs and love xox
For those who may be interested in pursuing this thought further: I am re-reading a book by Dallas Willard titled Life without Lack and it is a slow, thoughful walk through Psalm 23 with lots of good application to life. Once you read this book, Psalm 23 will never again be just your grandmother’s psalm. It is a rich passage of encouragement, strength, and hope.
Thank you so much Beverly! wow, i can’t wait to check that out! stay well! Hugs and love xox
Thank you for threading the Psalm 23 throughout this uplifting message! Please check out my blog (inspired by your NYC Flatlined).
Thank you Cleo! i certainly will! can’t wait! Hugs and love xox
The words “be still” resonate-reminding me to rest and focus on what truly matters. Thanks for sharing so honestly.
Thank you friend – yes! there is power in stillness! stay wel! Hugs and love xox
Hi there, just wanna check out on you today. I can relate to being restless, happens the same to all of us. Our quarantine days here in the PH have been extended. This extension brings immeasurable emotions to many people.
Thank you so much Vanessa! i really appreciate that. I’m sorry to hear they have been extended. I have a feeling we will be in that same boat soon. Hang in there my friend. big big hugs xox
Well said. I especially like the comparison of souls at the end of the high-stress, fast paced day being like a deflated balloon. Hoping you find rest in this not so green pasture for the moment….
Thank you Teresa! I’m glad this resonated with you 🙂 i appreciate that – i hope the same for you too, my friend! stay well! Hugs and love xox
There will be a lot of amazing things that come out of this that God will spread onto our world. I heard a week or so ago that the infamous hole in the ozone layer that you heard about like crazy 30 years ago, has actually CLOSED!! The one animal emergence that I find amazing is the sea turtles being able to lay more eggs. Hugs and love!! 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗♥️♥️♥️
thank you so much friend 🙂 oh WOW!!! that is just remarkable! the earth is healing, and that is an incredible thing to come out of all this! stay well! Hugs and love xox
Hugs and love your way too!! 🤗🤗♥️♥️😘😘
Absolutely beautiful post. Thanks for sharing these thoughts and putting this into this framework. Eye-opening, truly. I live ten miles from Detroit, another hotspot and we are going on 6 weeks here as well, and I miss my mom so much! She is isolating alone and I do drive over to see her through the window and 20 feet apart but it is so not the same. 🙁 I have this Psalm next to my bed, on my nightstand right now, right where I can see it in the middle of the night when I wake up upset.
Thanks for this wonderful post, and hang in there!
aw thank you so much Erin! i’m so glad it hit home with oyu! oh gosh, i’ll be praying for you and your community! that’s tough – i’m sure those window visits are the highlight of her day — i know they are for me when I visit my friend down the street via balcony! haha stay well my friend!!! Hugs and love xox
I have definitely had moments where I feel restless. But last night when I opened my Bible to read the verses that were referenced in my devotional, I felt a sense of peace, of being exactly where I belonged in that moment. I miss seeing people outside our immediate family…my best friend just got engaged a few weeks ago, and we haven’t been able to see them to truly celebrate yet.
There are moments I’m frustrated and just want this to be over…but there are other moments where I take a breath and realize the wonderful opportunity I have right now. I can enjoy spending time with my daughter, instead of being exhausted from my day and just counting down until bedtime. I’ve really been able to watch her learn new things over the past month, and although the way she seems glued to my hip can sometimes drive me crazy when I can’t leave her sight, it’s also been heartwarming to feel all the hugs from her.
I’ve also had the opportunity to focus on career development and planning…really digging in to figure out what it is I want. I love where I am now, but I know it probably won’t be where I am forever, and now is the time I have a chance to prepare for the future.
You are right…this is a unique opportunity for us to be restored, to slow down. With all the times I’ve read these verses, I don’t know if I ever imagined a worldwide season where he makes ALL of us slow down. But today, I watched a rose on the bush outside my window where I’m working open up over the course of an hour or so, and it’s the first time I’ve ever been able to have a moment to truly appreciate the beauty of the rose bush outside our bedroom window.
I live in the suburbs of a big city, where our cases are 1/10th of what they have seen…so based on our county, things don’t seem that bad. I see people out in our neighborhood, and some days it almost feels like nothing is really different, until I drive through town and see so many places closed. But girl, you are in the middle of such a hard hit city. You’ve been in my thoughts and prayers as I see how things are going around our country. Stay safe!
Thank you Ellen for sharing your heart on this. Amen to that – a unique opportunity to slow down! oh wow – you really stopped and “smelled” the literal roses! that’s awesome 🙂 stay well my friend! Hugs and love xox
You post today was very comforting. Thank you so much. Here is a poem I wrote recently that touches on some of what you said.
Be Still
Use less.
Want less.
Buy less.
Waste less.
Worry less.
Be less.
Be still.
And then…
Be more.
Give more.
Help more.
Listen more.
Pray more.
Love more.
Lori Crockett
Hi Lori, thank you so much 🙂 I’m so glad it hit home with you! and wow what a beautiful poem. thank you for sharing that with me! big hugs xox
I admire how strong you are in your faith; let’s hope we can all get out and enjoy each other’s company soon!
aw thank you Jim, that really means a lot. yes, let’s hope! stay well! Hugs and love xox
I have been fortunate the quarantine has made our lives better. We spend most of our free time outside up in the mountains behind our place. Even found some secret places and painted our handprints in the cliffs for future archaeologists to analyze
Oh that is so wonderful to hear, Jim. Thank you so much for sharing that good news! stay well and enjoy the outdoors! Hugs and love xox
You are an inspiration to many who may need you. I am inspired by you, and all that you support.
oh gosh, i am humbled by your generous words, thank you. Hugs and love xox
My thoughts are from the heart. You are welcome.
😍🥰🥰🥰
Well said my lovely friend, restlessness and cabin fever is spreading like wildfire and much about all of this is in question right now. Life as we know it has completely flipped upside down and we are all ready for this to be over with and get back to some kind of normalcy. Thanks for the encouragement and the realness of the situation at hand that we’re all facing now.
thank you so much friend, i appreciate that so much 🙂 you’re right – we’re all craving that normalcy for sure. stay well!!! Hugs and love xox
Your very welcome my friend and will do, much love , peace, and safety!!
🥰
I’m having a really hard time right now. My mind is going to some very dark places, and occasionally it has been affecting my work and friendships. Thank you for sharing your perspective.
Oh Greg, I’m sorry your battling that right now. I’m praying for you, friend. this is such a tough time — hang in there. this won’t last forever. Know that you’re in my thoughts!!! sending big big hugs and love xox
I don’t think we over did it on locking down, I don’t think we’ve done enough. It’s not isolated, it’s still spreading and killing. I just lost another friend who took all the precautions. I’m in NY as well but so many are experiencing the same worldwide.
oh Alexandra, I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. That is truly heartbreaking, and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your friend’s family as you all mourn that devastating loss. yeah NY is really, really taking a beating, and it is really so sad. thank you for sharing this perspective. this is definitely something that I think we will be seeing the ramifications of for months to come, and i hope and pray that we did enough. I do feel that NYC is taking quarantine seriously, and that, at least, is offering a little encouragement. Stay well my friend, and hang in there. this too shall pass. Hugs and love xox
Thank you, and let’s hope, unfortunately even with lockdown it’s still spreading
🥰🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
“Restless? Nah – it is an opportunity for restoration of soul.” I really like your perspective on this! We can choose to see this time as dark and hopeless–or we can choose to find hope and bring light from the darkness.
Thank you so much Rachel! I appreciate that. Yes! Let’s embrace that hope! Hugs and love xox
Caralyn hold firm despite the calls for relaxation: from all of us across the pond. God is there with you. Blessings Bob
Thank you Bob – yes He certainly is. What a comforting thought. Stay well. Hugs and love xox
Excellent post! I appreciate how you address both the frustration and the hope that comes with a time like this. In regards to good old cliche Psalm 23, I think this is a perfect example of the power of scripture. Even when a passage has been rehashed so many times, it can still bring something new to the table. Thank you for sharing your fresh perspective of the Psalm with us!
Thank you Ashton! You’re so right – there is power in the Word! Stay well. Hugs and love xox
Good reminder of the truth! He is our portion forever!
You’re always welcome to explore Wyoming and explore with me – spring is here and life is coming back as they snow recedes.
Thank you so much Caleb! Oh wow Wyoming! Don’t think I’ve ever been! Stay well! Hugs and love xox
Well said. I was telling my husband how revealing this has been, because for the most part we are seeing how little we need to sustain us.
Thank you Jolie! I was talking to someone about that very thing just yesterday! A real eye opener! Stay well! Hugs and love xox
Love it!! 🐑 The “GOOD shepherd” cares for us!! Let’s be still, drink, and eat from HIM! 😇
Thank you friend, yes He certainly does!! Amen! Stay well! Hugs and love xox
I have been feeling restless too. To help pass the time I have been doing mini Bible studies on an app called Bible. Right now, Jesus is showing me that my anxiety is not a place to be. He wants me to have peace. He has lead me through a Bible lesson on Forgiveness. This has helped me learn that it is okay to forgive my birth father for not wanting to be part of my life. I finally feel like I can forgive him and have peace. I hope he will reach out to have a relationship with me one day.
Hugs.
Thanks so much for sharing that! I’ll have to look up that al! Oh wow such a powerful lesson! Stay well! Hugs and love xox
You are welcome. You give me courage to continue to grow in Christ.
gosh, i am so touched 🙂 xoxoxoxox
Truth is we live in the “valley of the shadow” and we should be appreciative of the Lord for that privilege that He alone has granted us. Thank you for giving me a yet deeper appreciation of this lovely psalm.
Thanks Sandman – you’re right – it really is a privilege! Stay well! Hugs and love xox
I really appreciate your Peacemaker’s take on the situation. I wish I had your serenity, and calm outlook on life.
I tend to take this tack: This was ‘We the People’s’ golden opportunity to reclaim our sovereignty. This was our chance to tell our government – at both the state and federal level – to go to Hell. This was our chance to tell the media to shove their lies right up their butts. This was our chance to tell them that we love our freedom more than we fear for our lives. Our forefathers would have done the same.
On the other hand…
If everyone was like me, we’d be enduring war without end.
Thank God for people like you.
Thank you Shaun for sharing your thoughts on this. It’s unprecedented times, that’s for sure. Stay well.
Yeah.. restlessness… its an old thing.
Ever noticed toddlers? Their parents tell them, “be still. Don’t move.” But you still see them dancing in place, twiddling their fingers, etc. – they just can’t sit still.
I remember a good sermon in which the lesson was based on the life of Abraham and Isaac.
In both instances, there was a famine in the land of Canaan and God told Abraham to stay (Genesis 12 – 13). But Abraham didn’t and came down to Egypt. Sarah was beautiful and so worried about his safety, Abraham told the Pharaoh that she was his sister. And Pharaoh took her to be his wife, gave Abraham many gifts and then it became an almighty mess with diseases and stuff. God intervened by directly talking to Pharaoh.
Abraham’s disobedience and lack of faith nearly destroyed the whole nation of Egypt.
I would point this out to Abraham’s restlessness and not trusting God. Had he remained in Canaan, none of this would have happened and he would have still been blessed. But rather, he took matters into his own hands, then even didn’t trust God for protection and told a lie to save his neck – nearly destroying an innocent nation in the process. Yes folks.. this is the man we are calling as the father of our faith.
In this quarantine time, battling with the restlessness, I am reminded of Psalm 46 – especially verse 10: “Be still and know that I am God.”
Haha oh gosh yeah I definitely feel a little toddlerish these day! Haha wow sounds like a powerful sermon! Thank you for sharing that! And I’ll have to reread psalm 46 this afternoon! Stay well! Hugs and love xox
This is a sweet message and definitely an encouragement to all of us who are feeling restless!
Thank you so much Gena, so glad you thought so! Stay well! Hugs and love xox
[…] back to the point of this article. Caralyn recenty released an article called A Desert Of Green. I encourage you all to give that a read before going […]
Thank you for the link up! Hugs and love xox
yeah.. after I commented on your post, I felt I should expand it a bit in a separate article on my own blog. I guess you inspire me. LOL.
Have a great day Caralyn.
Very nice and positive blog
Thank you friend 🙂 Hugs and love xox
What a beautiful perspective in these times, thankyou for reminding me through such a great illustration 👍
Thank you so much friend 🙂 Hugs and love xox
Hey Caralyn, my love and respect for you as a writer and Christian and as a human, just flew out the window. It just blew up! This post is so spot-on! I actually was loving this quarantine period at first. But these days it was beginning to get really boring and tiring. I want my life back. But it just kept ringing in my mind to look at this issue from another perspective. I was wondering, what perspective would God rather have me look at this situation and here it is!! I should hold on to God more than ever!! You just handed me that perspective in my hands! Thank you! Thank you for listening and yielding to the Holy Spirit! God bless you!! You also just inspired my next blog post! God bless you greatly Caralyn! I hope you are safe and healthy this time too! 💖💖💖
thank you so much friend! oh my gosh i am so touched by your kind words! this made me smile. 🙂 thanks for sharing your heart. hang in there!!! Hugs and love xox
The way you felt about leaning on Psalm 23, is the same way I felt earlier this week leaning into 1 Corinthians 13. I knew I needed to end up writing about it, cliche and all. Thanks for choosing to write!
oh i’ll have to check out that verse! there is so much comfort in His Word! stay well Kim! thank you for stopping by! Hugs and love xox
Thanks for the encouragement.
Glad it hit home with you:) Thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox
Lovely, lovely thoughts! It IS an opportunity for sure!! I feel like so many Psalms resonate in a fresh way right now! 91, 23, 46.
Thank you so much! Yes! they are full of so much comfort and encouragement for sure! stay well! Hugs and love xox
Yes God does sustain us! Amen to that! But I have to disagree…..it was never overkill. This virus has killed over 50,000 Americans across the country, across generational lines, racial lines, religion lines. One pastor said God is bigger than the virus, and he didn’t take any precautions. Guess what? He died from Coronavirus. And I don’t think he was from NYC.
Political spin from Fox News won’t bring back, or the tens of thousands of others.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this! yeah, i personally don’t think it was overkill either — especially for new york city. the reason it wasn’t more devastating is because we took such rapid and drastic measure. it could have been a lot worse. Gosh, what a sad story. Yeah, God is God, but we still need to live wisely! stay well! Hugs and love xox
Peace.
✌🏼💛
I am really missing my friends. 🙁
The words of Psalm 23 find their way into our daily walk of faith when we need to hear them most. God’s peace to all in the Big Apple!
Hey Caralyn, would it be alright if I added the link to this post on my own blog post to indicate where I got my inspiration from and to direct people to also come read this post and get inspired. Can I?
Remarkable!!!
Please visit ixploredotblog.wordpress.com
I was beginning to think I was the only one who saw what a rare opportunity this is…
“Our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee.” ~ St. Augustine
Thank you friend,
I’m glad it resonated with you!! Hugs and love xox
amen to that! stay well Edward! hugs xox
[…] via A Desert of Green — BeautyBeyondBones […]
Thank you for the link up! Hugs and love xox
thank you for the link up! hugs x
[…] https://beautybeyondbones.com/2020/04/23/a-desert-of-green/ […]
thank you for the link up! hugs xo
Thanks, Caralyn. I really enjoyed and appreciated this. Having walked the hills of the Judean wilderness and see the sheep and shepherds on those hills, I can truly appreciate the green pastures David wrote about. He knew those hills and those valleys and came to the same conclusion you did: God is our sustenance – always has been, always will be – and the green grass and still waters will never run out. Thank you for your writing and our virtual “friendship”…and thank you for reading my DayBreaks from time to time. God bless and keep you now and always!
thank you so much Galen! 🙂 Oh wow, yes! What an incredible experience that must have been!! absolutely, i always emjoy reading your words! Hugs and love xox
This is a good perspective on the pandemic. God may not have caused it but He allowed it, and we can benefit from it by growing closer to Him during it. Peace of Jesus!
Thank you David!! Amen to that! Hugs and love xox