The beginning of this year had all of us making resolutions and plans. And then, it seemed as if we all got sucker punched. The rug seemed to be pulled out from under all of us. In a fog light state, we all have been going through the motions, numb.
Life as we knew it changed drastically. Our normal turned upside down with a new normal. A global pandemic coronavirus shook us and our security to its core.
We would all be in quarantine for weeks to months. Social media became our access to one another. We would lose track of days and eat entirely too much junk during this time. With plenty of Netflix time, surprisingly we aren’t interested.
We would see how restless we truly are and how much we need to be stimulated and entertained. We would respond as if we are under house arrest, although we are in the comfort and safety of our more than modest homes and lifestyles.
We would buck and protest the strong admonishments to stay at home minimizing the seriousness of potentially exposing the vulnerable and weak.
We would learn the value of family meals together again. We would all be together. Working at home together, playing in our backyards together.
We would never understand the shortage of toilet paper during this time? Bazaar, but a reality.
Sadly, people would hoard food out of fear only leaving the minimum for others in need also.
The Best and The Worst
It’s during this time, the best and worst comes out in everyone. It’s also during this time we dig for our faith, now more than ever. We look for lots of faith but God says, you only need a seed.
A small seed will move a mountain. Power is in the seed when it’s sown in trusting the one who gave it.
Our hearts would long to touch and hug our loved ones and friends but we would be forced to keep a 6-foot distance with a maximum of 10 people gatherings.
Our churches would be closed physically but we could climb up on the rooftop to speak and bring the message of the good news through the internet.
We would mourn and pray for those affected by this aggressive wicked virus.
Grieving for those who were forbidden to see or touch their loved ones that were infected. Due to the danger of how contagious the virus spreads, isolation is required to stop the spread.
Watching adult children look through glass windows at their aging parents who are the most vulnerable to this virus, and then to hear the heartbreaking news of nursing homes being infected.
Staff and residents tested positive to the virus and our hearts dropped at this news.
Streets aren’t bustling with people as we know it. They are becoming deafeningly quieter. The birds, however, are louder and bolder, it’s as if they have been waiting for their moment.
Trees are budding forth with new leaves, it’s like they are waving at us, trying to jump-start our hope.
I ponder, reminding myself that if God takes care of them He will also take care of us. We are of more value to him than the birds of the air.
The fear and shock on essential workers soften the hardened hearts of onlookers. The reality of how they showed up for you and me brings a needed reality check.
Entitlement dropped on the curve. Ingratitude arrested and checked at the door of the grocery store.
A sobering reminder as you look at the faces of stockers and cashiers unpacking products. The hourly paid employees showing up so you can have food to feed your family.
Our frontline Doctors and nurses would be exhausted and heartbroken as they cared for the sick. They would daily battle fear themselves, but more for their family. The fear of exposing them to the virus is unnerving.
We would see citizens stepping up sewing masks at home for hospital workers. We would see breweries making hand sanitizers and automobile plants making ventilators.
Communities purchasing and delivering food to the elderly who are at risk would awaken our faith in people.
We would see selfishness and selflessness collide. Selflessness shining brighter as people would set up tables in their front yard with groceries and essential items offered to those in need.
Signs of Hope lit up in the yards of communities, stating, We are all in this together. We are gonna make it.
Rallying around one another in times of need has been hard-wired in us. We need each other. We are called to one another.
We will not make it through this life unscathed, and it will take the love of a community to apply the healing ointment to one another’s lives that are broken.
Caring is not something we have to do, it is something we want to do for each other. Jesus said it best,
They will know you are my disciples when you have love for one another.
John 13:35
We will make it through this. It shall pass.
In the meantime, may we love a little deeper, gather around the dinner table more often, set right priorities, walk a little slower and look to the one who holds it all together.
Tag a friend or front line worker who needs the reminder that they are not alone and we will make it through together.
