“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:6

You know the adage, seeing is believing? Well, I do not know about everyone else, but for me, especially lately, that has been challenging to understand. It has been so difficult at times to “see” the silver lining; to “see” pieces of what I deemed normalcy in my day-to-day life.

But then I am provided moments where I read of all the amazing things people have done for one another. I scroll through social media and see neighborhoods coming together for socially-distanced gatherings from their driveways; the essential workers helping provide the things we all need; children leaving chalk notes on driveways for delivery drivers; families putting teddy bears in their windows for children to “find” on a walk; teachers video chatting with students; and so many other amazing ways that humanity has found to connect with one another.

Now, when I think “seeing is believing,” it makes me realize that we cannot focus on the idea of “seeing” as being limited to only our eyes. If we have faith, we will “see” with our hearts, our minds, and our beings. Hebrews 11:6 says, “now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Though we do not see exactly what the “new normal” will be, we can rest in our faith, and have the confidence to know that it will be a future full of hope. With faith, we have the assurance that there is still so much good around us.

As families, and individuals, we have found ways to stay connected. Whether you are attending a virtual happy hour with friends, or hosting a virtual birthday party for your child, take the time to “see” the beauty in sharing love and laughter with one another. If we adjust our “eyes” to look with faith, we will see the hope and assurance that our God has provided.

Dr. Leanne Badham
Director of Precious Cargo Academy

For those who are struggling to see the assurance and hope that God provides:
Dear Lord, help us to see the hope that Your love provides. Gives us the strength to know and feel the assurance that You give us. Help us to strengthen our faith and fix our eyes upon all the good around us. Amen.

Children’s Activities
Host a family porch party! If you do not have a porch, use your backyard, lanai, balcony area, or even just open a window. Enjoy the much-needed fresh air, and have snacks together, read a story, sing songs or dance – anything to just change up the scenery while spending time with one another.

Create a kid’s art corner. With all the extra time indoors, brighten up your kitchen or living room with a special area to display the creative artwork that children are making. This could include things like fruit loop rainbows, nature collages, paintings, drawings, etc.

Fun things to do outdoors: spice up a game of tic-tac-toe by painting rocks with X’s and O’s. Or make a special coffee filter rainbow by spraying water on a coffee filter that has marker ink on it. Cut up pool noodles and make some large outdoor and water safe blocks. Trace shadows with chalk. Try to find pine cones to later paint or turn into bird feeders.