Just some thoughts to share about the COVID-19 pandemic.
I talk to my mother every day to check up on her and give her some love. She is 93 years old, lives alone (because she wants to) and is 1100 miles away from my home in Texas! I struggle with that!
Mom had spent the former month with me and was due to go visit my brother in Arizona to complete her annual “get out of Michigan during the bitter cold season.” During her visit with me, it became apparent that our country was being hit with the Coronavirus and daily new information was coming to light concerning the seriousness of it. The day before she was due to fly from Texas to Arizona plans abruptly changed. My brother felt it best that she not get on an airplane and possibly get the virus; that along with the concerns he had for his very young and vulnerable grandchildren as well as his wife that is a cancer survivor, so that portion of her trip was canceled. We were getting hit daily with the severity of this situation, something that none of us had experienced in our lifetimes. I asked mom to stay here with me, but she decided that she would just go home and “get back to life as normal, seeing her friends and being involved in her church family.” Little did any of us know, but normal had gone away- at least for the near future. We all love our homes and the sense of security they give us! I understood, but little did Mother know that she was walking into almost total isolation as this horrible disease took over our land. Where to date we have only lost a few over 4000- those are 400 LIVES that are now gone. The severity of the contagiousness of the Coronavirus is something that I don’t think Americans cannot properly comprehend.
In sharing a little about my Mothers visit, but I thought that some might find it interesting to hear of some of our conversations. She told me first-hand accounts of the scarlet fever epidemic that happened in America when she was a child. In that time in history, when someone in the family got scarlet fever, they were required by law to be quarantined in their home. They had to place a Notice of Quarantine in their windows so that no one would approach. It was very contagious. She has vivid memories of that as well as the great depression that affected our country from about 1929-1939. She remembers having little food and standing in lines to get supplies and people being out of work. Most of us have no clue about hardships like that. We are complaining now about the inconvenience and lack of freedom. Yes, I know this situation has hit some harder than others and I have great compassion for those out of work, and the concerns about getting sick and where rent will come from. Nevertheless, I wonder if we are a spoiled people? The things to really feel bad about, are for the sick and their isolation especially if they are having severe respiratory problems; My heart goes out to their families having to stay away from their dying family members, those in nursing homes, those in cancer centers going through chemo, the elderly, the exhausted doctors, nurses, and first responders.
It is good to study history and talk to the few elders that are still alive about these things because most of us have never experienced anything like it. I am 68, Jeff 72 years old. Our grandkids call us “old” and where we don’t feel old that is how we are seen. We have never experienced anything like what is happening with COVID-19. The difference between us and other generations is that we have memories of our parents and grandparents telling us accounts for the kinds of things that took place and how their families handled it. Baby boomers, for the most part, get it; but many (not all) of the other generations are just complaining and theorizing. Then the younger set of our population has gone so far to say this COVID 19 is no big deal as they defy the laws, the practice of safe distancing, and careful hygiene.
Many are mad because there are so many government-mandated things going on. Where we all feel a real sense of injustice for this whole issue, and where many have well thought out and researched facts, formulating educated opinions, we still are required if we are Jesus followers, to trust GOD, and conduct ourselves as Jesus would. He said to “count it all joy.” Are we?
The evils of Washington DC and the left, have taken political advantage everywhere they can, has made it hard for some of us to remain cool and calm. Yes? yes. America has come to know that certain leaders are on the payroll of organizations that do not care about we the people. Donald Trump is not one of them; His business background and lack of political experience has actually been the best thing that could have happened to America. Yes, this is my opinion, and God bless him! He’s not perfect but neither are you, nor am I. I am so thankful that He is in charge. I feel bad for him as he has to listen to the world’s top doctors and agencies to know how to proceed for best safety measures to be taken; My guess is that he might do some things differently if he followed his own instincts but he has been placed in a horrible position. Can we all get off of our soap operas long enough to realize the position he has been placed in? He will be damned for every move and decision he makes by the left. For that man to continue to lead us, he has to listen and follow experts in the field of disease control. Everyone wants to blame someone but come on- no man can control the wind, the waves, the sea and as hard as we try there are a lot of diseases that we still have found no lasting cure for.
Where this pandemic is being used to further line people’s pocketbooks and assert their political agenda; where the left is an embarrassment to most decent Americans, COVID-19 remains a serious threat to us all both physically and economically.
You may disagree, you may have your own theory and feel you are 100% right. Nevertheless, the data and numbers are telling the truth in reference to the need to flatline this disease so that our hospitals, doctors, medical workers, and first responders can catch up. Hospitals are near capacity now, as our National Guard are working hard at building makeshift hospitals to house what is due to hit us within days. We have only seen the tip of the iceberg unless America turns from her wicked ways and turns back to God in repentance. In that case, God says HE will heal our land. Our hope is in the Lord, but our responsibility is for all of us to clean up our lives and reach out to share the good news of the gospel and to live out daily, what it ACTUALLY means to be a Jesus follower.
Most of us are pretty much isolated in our homes; Why not choose to seek the face of God?
I don’t know if this is true, but I have read that it is felt that we will all get this virus when all is said and done. Hopefully not, but maybe? The goal is to slow it down so that the hospitals can handle the numbers. There is an enormous amount of information out there. Data says that MOST healthy people will survive it, although many healthy people are also dying right now. Those with cancer, asthma, respiratory problems, and weakened immune systems, as well as the elderly, are at risk. In all actuality, this country could lose a whole generation of people, people that according to The Bible are needed in all generations to teach wisdom and experience and skills that other generations have yet to learn. There is a prevailing attitude in society, that the older retired population doesn’t know anything anyway, so consideration for them is almost nonexistent by the average citizen. When we treat these issues so cavalier we are putting everyone at risk, even if we ourselves have healthy bodies and dispositions.
We are angry about losing incomes, not being able to pay bills, for having opportunities wrecked, and having to deal with crazy people who hoard toilet paper, and other life essentials. There is a lot to this when it comes to the details of what we the people are having to deal with. I think we’re all angry over the way the left is using this to promote their political agenda. Many Americans are very fearful and most of us are intelligent enough to know that anger and fear can cloud our judgment. People, this alone should be a signal that we might need to take a step back and reconsider some of our thoughts and beliefs, as well as maybe just perhaps choose to recognize we cannot change what has happened, but we can pray. Jesus said in the gospels to walk by faith- and even if you don’t know how to do that you can intellectually know that not controlling our emotions is never a good thing and leads to all kinds of trouble and broken relationships. We have such a need to point a finger and be right. God forgive us all.
Churches are rising up and calling their people to prayer and fasting for the eradication of COVID-19. We can pray. We can take this time to examine our own lives and pull ourselves in line with the written word. We can call loved ones and friends and encourage them and let them know that they are loved. We can go out of our way even while closed up in our homes, to be part of the solution, rather than to join the bandwagon of complainers.
If what the scientists are saying is true, ( ????) things are going to get a whole lot worse. We may never get another chance to reach out and fix stuff with people that needs to be fixed. We have a great opportunity to change how we do things and turn our homes unashamedly into houses of prayer and families of prayer. ALL of us have developed habits and lifestyles that we are so used to, few take the time to stop and look at those things and ask…. “is this correct as far as God almighty is concerned?” Does he approve of our negativity? Our talking about others in ways that are not uplifting? gossip? justification? lies? Do we not appreciate others as we should? Do we hold people at an arm’s length emotionally rather than engage them in life, love, and friendship? Are our sense of humor and kidding, pure in the eyes of the Lord? are we actually willing to let go of the need to be popular and liked and stand up for the principals of godly conduct and conversation?
Please forgive me for being long-winded; I just have such a deep concern over the matters at hand. It is a wise person that really understands that when we each take our last breathe that “our group”, our spouse, our family, our friends, our church- and all those that we want to like and love us, will not be holding our hands defending us when we stand before the Lord almighty. We will all step to the other side ALONE. We will ALL give account for every detail of our lives, our conversations and our motives. I believe God would have us use this time of isolation to get back in touch with HIM and to pull our lives in line with the purity that He is. He is our helper, and our ability to live the life that He has called us all to live in faith, purity, and wholeness. Outside of Him, we cannot. We actually have been handed a lot of time to get with God. We can come out of this thing, alive, with God’s blueprints and instructions for our own lives. Knowing God, hearing his voice and leading, takes time, and right now we all have that. It is being forced on us. Instead of rebelling because it IS being forced, why not choose to flow with it and use this time. It can change the rest of your life if you will.
As always I hope I have said something to cause you to think and search your heart and the heart of God. If this has blessed you would you please share it and pass it on?
“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and…turn from their wicked ways...I (God) will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14
Uniquely You 