Not Survive –Thrive
Those of us alive now will always remember when our world turned inside out and upside down. Normality ended and, even worse, we began to wonder if it would ever return. We are forced to look at everything in new ways. Human proximity is now a danger. Can it be?
The family events that sometimes seem to have been inconvenient we long for. The jobs, the income, the sometimes annoying work settings, the tedious commutes, gone in a flash. We long for what once we carelessly took for granted. The church services we now attend online and often watch more than one even if it’s not our usual denomination.
What of weddings and showers? Think of all the months, sometimes years, of planning – poof – not to be for now and maybe never in the future, at least not as originally planned.
How about the spring travelers? The “I’ll go where and when I want - don’t tell me what to do” - sadly these go-ers and do-ers are powerless.
For funerals we no longer worry about ceremonies. Instead there are very humble endings and simple burials, slipping off into eternity without much fanfare. Perhaps, it is the best way after all, I know it sounds good to me.
Sometimes I step back and observe. Does the way we’re living seem as absurd to you as to me? Like a Twilight Zone episode? And then the biggest unknown of all - what shall we open to? There’s much to consider here. I realize life with these economic setbacks will be hard. Few have escaped unharmed, but then perhaps it’s been more of a focus than it should’ve been in all our pasts.
The inner message we all hear is that we are not as much in control over our own lives as we once thought. Did government alone stop our life? I wonder. It seems to me God allowed this. Why? To get our attention. Have we been neglectful in obeying His commands to love Him with all our hearts and obey His commandments? That’s something for each of us to ponder.
Nevertheless, I enter each day with hope. Why? Because it’s our daily inheritance as a Christian - hope and joy, as well. What God has allowed we will endure with his grace. Grace? It’s not just a word but an empowerment to lift our heads and expect good ahead.
I’m doing some things I’d long intended to do. My newest work is creating YouTube video presentations of some of the talks I’ve given over the years and using some of the helpful material from my marriage and parenting books and even mystery novels. For this I’ve launched my own You-Tube channel of inspiration for family life. Check it out at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXIRtQGmA77eHR9ZWHi50Cw/videos You’d bless me by liking it and subscribing. I’ll have a new video each week.
Something else I’ve been doing, like many of you, is sorting the “treasures” I’ve stored for years in my attic, garage, and under-the-bed boxes. As I do, I’m sweetly savoring the memories they represent. I’ve organized my shopping to once a week, quick in and out with a list, no running to the store for this and that. I happily re-organized my neglected pantry and drawers to hold more supplies. I doubt if any of these activities would’ve occurred had we never had this shelter- in-place opportunity.
Now simply walking down the street with a family member while social distancing is my favorite form of entertainment. Getting carry-out food from a restaurant is a risky privilege and huge treat. We have a new norm not as good as what once was but enjoyable and in some ways even a little better. Again clearly reminding us over and over we’re not in charge. God is.
Some change of mind and heart has helped us all cope. Have you noticed arrogance has largely evaporated? Humility has emerged. As for equality we’re all on the same level rich and poor. NOT one of us can leave home without sufficient reason and thought. Love and kindness have multiplied exponentially. We now have time and focus to see the real needs of others and use our gifts to be of help. These are the news stories that give us joy despite the death counts at the end of each day.
I pray we won’t all simply survive but thrive in multiple ways. Again we see more clearly… God‘s unconditional love for each of us is a forever thing and how rich we are when we realize this! Whatever happens, victory is His and ours always!
“Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed.” John 14:27 AMP
