June 2022 Newsletter
“Focus on the Good!” – This directive was literally in my face, as it appeared on the lid of my breakfast yogurt this morning! It’s a good message, in spite of the fact that it was an advertisement!
I sometimes look around and wonder, “Where has the time gone?” I blinked, and six months have flown by since I last wrote a newsletter! Time just seems to move too fast! Maybe because we’re all getting older, or maybe we’ve become just too busy in our 21st Century American culture. – And I don’t know about you, but when I add to the overly busy lives we lead, the wildly crazy time that our country has dealt with because of the pandemic – and lockdown – and mandatory masking – and decisions about vaccinations – and boosters – and COVID tests – and school closures – and businesses shutting down – and through it all, we can and NEED TO focus on the good!
Well – from my vantage point, it often felt like I was in some strange sort of time-warp! I would guess that many of you had similar feelings of being confused, distracted, concerned and even experienced just a bit of hopelessness as we waited for something to change and for a return to “normal” and the “familiar.”
As I look over the past two and a half years of the pandemic challenges, I can’t help but wonder something else: How can anyone who dealt with all these struggles have any doubt about the love of God Who so graciously and victoriously brought us through all of that? Now, having said that, I must acknowledge that I am aware that many people contracted COVID and many people died and many people lost their loved ones. Many people lost their source of income. Many people lost their sense of security and hope. Many people continue to struggle with the aftermath of the pandemic.
There are many times in His Word, that God speaks to us of the importance of maintaining hope in His loving provisions to us. In preparing to write this newsletter, I did a word search on my electronic Bible for the word “Hope” – and I found no less that 144 passages in God’s Word that speak to us about the joy and necessity of always having hope – even in the most desperate of circumstances.
Many of the passages that resulted from my search would have been well-suited to endorse the message of hope in this article. Yet, there is one that continues to be a strong message of hope for the work God has called us to in this counseling ministry. It is the one we chose as a guiding principle for the name of this ministry – that is Jeremiah 29:11, which says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
It seems that God has given us to one another to love, to pray for one another, to encourage and to point one another to Him in our times of struggle and uncertainty. Our calling – in other words – the work God is busy with and has called us to join Him in, is to inspire one another to Hope as He provides for us and equips us with all we need to have the fullness and joy He has planned for us since the beginning of time.
If you find yourself wondering where time has gone – or is going – ask yourself: Are you making the most of the time, gifts and talents God has given you? Are you seeking His face for guidance and direction of how you may join Him in the work He is up to – right in your community – your family – your life?
Friends, we are blessed beyond measure – in whatever circumstances we may find ourselves! Why? - Because the love and hope of God is ALWAYS with us!
We pray that you will hold onto the hope that is in Christ Jesus, our Lord, as you acknowledge His presence with you always. . .And focus on the Good He gives us – always!
Love, hope and peace,
Rev. Dr. Pat Ryan
(On behalf of the AFAH Counseling Ministry Team)
