it's not gambling if it's a sure thing 108/366

I like music. A lot.
My biggest issue is that I have a hard time remembering all of the lyrics.
Snippets of songs will run a rut in my brain.
This evening it has been part of a Kenny Rogers hit:

"you got to 
know when to hold 'em
know when to fold 'em
know when to walk away
know when to run..."

it's Friday April 17, 2020
day 1,234,567,890 of COVID-19 restrictions
I am wishing I could hold my grandbabies
I'm wishing I could fold up the invisible but very real "no visitors allowed" sign
I'm wishing I could walk away from sheltering in place
I'm wishing I could run into a room full of friends and family
but it isn't time for any of that

so I wait, not always patiently,
because I am not willing to gamble anyone's health
by indulging in selfish behavior

"Now every gambler knows that the secret to survivin'
is knowin' what to throw away 
and knowin' what to keep,
'cause every hand's a winner 
and every hand's a loser..."

I want to be a survivor, not a victim of this pandemic

so I am thinking about what thoughts I need to throw away

and which ones I need to keep

because what we've been dealt can be a win

or it can be a loss

true, some things are out of our hands

but there are some things we can control

" you got to 

know when to hold 'em
I'm concentrating on discerning what thoughts I should hold onto
and which ones to throw out 
know when to fold 'em
I'm focusing on when to fold my hands in prayer
and looking for ways I can open them up to serve and minister
know when to walk away
I am thinking about what habits I need to walk away from
know when to run...
and I am concentrating on running to Jesus with every fear, concern, frustration, etc.

practicing the following passage isn't a gamble,
it's a sure thing to help us 
play well the hand we are dealt

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:4-9