Today is my seven-month anniversary of living in shelter-in-place mode. A lot has happened in these seven months, both personally and collectively, and I’ve felt the widest range of emotions through this time, as I’m sure most if not all of us have.

One of the key ways I’m navigating COVID-19 is by trying to remember and watch for the tender mercies that have come not only in spite of this pandemic, but even because of it.

It’s been quite a ride, but mostly a good ride. We’ve learned and grown a lot, and we have had some precious moments and memories as a result of this choice to shelter in place (I have health issues that necessitate this choice).

I feel like I’m learning to be more resilient and adaptive (or at least I hope that is what is happening inside me). I’m trying to use this time to build my faith in God and in His Son, Jesus Christ. My children have had unique opportunities to connect with each other that they wouldn’t have had otherwise, and I’ve been able to stay connected with them (they are all away at college) more than I think I would have otherwise. We are finding deliberate ways through technology to build our relationships and help each other stay strong in faith even while there is so much that is unpredictable.

In truth, life is always unpredictable, and it’s the time in the history of the world (the latter days, the last days) where that will probably be more true, not less. God can and does consecrate all things for good (see Romans 8 and 2 Nephi 2), and in my experience with this pandemic, I have felt Him consecrate this time.

So today, I celebrate the goodness of God and invite you to look in your own life for the good that is there, even though times are hard, too. Both can be — and are — true. But we are never alone. God is aware of us. His Son has experienced all that we are going through. He is there to help lift our burdens and help us grow in His grace.

#GodisAlwaysGood #buckleyourseatbeltoffaith #2020vision #Godisinthedetails #SeekGrace #SeekJesus