Amid the anxiety, slow vaccine distribution, and relentless pandemic God is still with us. FEB 2021

by khurst2@gmail.com | Feb 1, 2021 | Chaplain

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

When Paul shared the word given to him by the Lord, it was in response to Paul asking God to remove an affliction from him. Paul was dealing with a constant situation that he no longer wanted to deal with and asked God to remove the “thorn from his flesh.” The thorn or affliction is never identified as the significance is nothing compared to the grace God gives Paul to endure the hardship. One can only conclude that the affliction made Paul wiser, stronger, and more reliant on God as God is our source of all things life sustaining.

Reflecting on the above verse reminds me of the past years challenges right through to the New Year. There are many afflictions we are enduring as a nation such as racism, social justice inequities, and a pandemic that can be seen as a thorn in the nation as well as the world. Many of us are tired of social distancing, not being able to travel, see loved ones, and death caused by the affliction of COVID. Like Paul’s affliction, it is a constant reminder of the inconvenience of our way of life. A life many of us probably took for granted until now. We are able to see what we had before was not so bad. While we have prayed for a quick relief in the form of a vaccine or for COVID to go away altogether, all I hear God say is “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Amid the anxiety, slow vaccine distribution, and relentless pandemic God is still with us. Guiding us through this difficult time as we continue to draw strength from knowing that when we are weak, God is strong. Strong enough to carry us through to the other side as in the infamous Foot Print prayer. Let us hold on, not give up, and remained encouraged as God will never leave us nor forsake us as we keep our minds and hearts focused on God.

Blessings,

Reverend Takana L. Jefferson, Chaplain, United States Navy

Look at this year as a year of opportunity, new beginnings, and blessings – JAN 2021

by khurst2@gmail.com | Jan 2, 2021 | Chaplain

“Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be.” Job 8:7

Many of us remember the trials and testing of Job’s faith and trust in God. Job, an upright man, had been through so much in such a short time. All ten of his children were taken from him, his health was compromised, his friends turned their back on him, he lost all he owned, including his home, and his wife told him to curse God and die. Job refused to allow all the calamity that came upon him to change who he was or who he believed God to be in his life. He quickly reminded his wife, “should we only accept the God things from God and not the bad?” Job’s integrity and character remained intact.  While his friend, Bildad, may have meant the above words as a way for Job to question his life, God used those very words to bless Job.

After Job’s loss, he experienced a humble beginning, but that is not how the story ends. God restored Job and gave him double for his trouble. 2020 was a challenging year for us all. Many of us may have felt like Job. We should be encouraged in the New Year of 2021 of God’s faithfulness as we embark upon new beginnings. Look at this year as a year of opportunity, new beginnings, and blessings. 2021 is a clean slate to create the future and present of the best God has for you. We leave the old behind and embrace the new as God is doing a new thing in each of us. Stay encouraged and optimistic because while your beginnings may have been humble, your future is prosperous. Receive it and be blessed. Happy New Year!

Blessings,

Reverend Takana L. Jefferson, Chaplain, United States Navy

Being grateful allows us to see beyond the trees to the forest of growth and what will be. Dec 2020

by khurst2@gmail.com | Dec 4, 2020 | Chaplain

Chaplain’s Corner December 2020

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”- 1Thessolians 5:18

The year 2020 has and is a challenging year. We have dealt with unprecedented disappointments, racism, an election that seems as if it will never end, and a relentless pandemic that has taken lives and created a new normal. A new normal of not being able to gather together for the holidays as in previous years. A new normal for many who have loved ones who succumbed to the virus. A new normal in the way we function daily. Yes, 2020 has been a challenging year. However, we are almost to the end. I do believe 2021 will bring new life and new beginnings. Amid all that we are going through currently, finding ways to be grateful and give thanks can relieve some of the stress we may feel.

Being thankful for the small events in our lives and others’ lives can change the view of a glass from half-empty to a half-full glass. It is our perception of the situation. When we can find the rainbow amid the clouds, we lift our spirits and see beyond ourselves and the current circumstances. We learn from our experiences we have been through on ways to be better as we have a new lens to see life. We can see the beauty in each given day as it is a gift (even with the challenges). We can appreciate the love shared with those who are with us and feel the spiritual presence of those who are not.

Being grateful allows us to see beyond the trees to the forest of growth and what will be. Let us not waste precious time in the sea of regret but plunge with hopefulness into the ocean of thankfulness. Enjoy your holiday season and be thankful for all we have been blessed to share over the past year and with anticipation of the year to come.

Blessings,
Reverend Takana L. Jefferson United States Navy Chaplain