I know.  This isn't a clear picture, but what it meant to me was perfectly clear.  This picture was taken at 1:00 this morning from my bed.  Let me explain.

We are currently in the middle of a declared pandemic.  No matter what your view is on how things have been handled or how people are responding, we can all agree that our nation, as well as many others, are struggling.  I have had a few conversations with those who's businesses are struggling, or they are simply out of work. 

Last night, I was laying in bed, and I couldn't help but think about all the small businesses that are being impacted, as well as other ministries and churches that are trying to answer questions that are arising during these times.  My heart was heavy with a desire to help and lack of knowledge of where to even begin.  As I laid there, my wife pointed out that my 5 year old's music was still playing in his room, and it needed to be turned off, so it wouldn't wake him during the night. 

As I left his room, I felt strong urge to stop and pray.  As I worked my way back to my room, I stood outside of each of my boys' rooms and prayed for each one.  I prayed for safety, courage, and that God would work in each of their lives.  I then sat in the living room and prayed for my wife and I as we lead our family during these times.  I prayed that God would show me His beauty, even during these tough times. 

This brings us back to the picture.  As I crawled into bed, I looked over at our window, and there was a spider working on a new web.  I laid there and watched this amazing process take place before my eyes, and I was reminded that the God who created the heavens and earth is still doing His work.  This was the beauty I prayed for.  I know, it could easily be dismissed as a coincidence, or me looking for something to see beauty in, and that may be right.  I do believe, however, that when we seek Him, we will find Him. 

As I watched the spider, my mind was taken off of the worries I had and was refocused on the amazement of God, but I still had this desire to help, and I still didn't know where to begin.  Then a thought came to me.  Start in the same way I just started with my family.  In prayer.  I opened up my Facebook account, opened my friends list and started through the list.  As I came across a name of someone who's small business was being impacted or someone who is directly involved in ministry at this time, I stopped and prayed for them by name.  For several of them, I sent them a short message, just to let them know that I was praying for them.  The more I prayed, the better I felt.  By the end of my friends' list, I felt at complete peace. 

Now what?  I don't have the financial means to help everyone impacted by current events, but I do have the ability to do my part in helping.  Today, my son and I are going to mow the yard a single mom, who is going to nursing school, so she doesn't have to pay for lawn care.  There is a small local business asking for small donations to help keep them afloat, so I plan to do my part there as well.  These are small things, but if we all did small things, big things will happen. 

So, maybe like me, you don't know where to start.  I want to tell you to start with prayer.  Pray for others, pray for your family, and pray for your own strength.  Next, if you are able to help a small business financially, pray about that.  If you aren't in a position financially to help, are there neighbors that simply need some love right now?