It has been almost a year since I have last written.
I didn't intend to take a break. Life got busy at work and as I started grad school and tried to adjust to my new schedule.
But I am hoping to be back.
And since we have all been mostly confined to our homes as we practice social distancing to stay healthy and safe from the coronavirus, I thought now would be a good time to come back and add my own thoughts to the chaos.
So a few thoughts and reminders for myself...
1. This is getting chaotic. All of the news and social media platforms can't stop talking about it. My friends and co-workers can't talk about anything else. I join in despite the fact that I want to talk about anything but Covid-19. But I remind myself that in the chaos, God knew this was coming all along. Before the foundation of the world, He knew! And I can rest in His sovereignty and love and provision.
2. This is hard. I have heard people wonder if the Covid-19 pandemic will be our World War 2, and I don't think that is a fair comparison. Self quarantining and the potential for losing our jobs does not equal war. But this is still hard. It is an unknown none of us have ever faced. It isn't easy to be forced to stay at home. My trip to Oxford this summer was cancelled. I already miss my friends and church family. Though I work at an essential business, I wonder how this might effect the business long term. This season of life will call for extra grace for ourselves and others.
3. When the Coronavirus first exploded in China, I prayed that the virus would not spread. But I also prayed for the protection of our brothers and sisters in Christ, that God would enable them to be unafraid and that they would stand as examples to unbelievers and they would lead many to Christ. Now, I pray the same for us, that we will be noticed as people who are unafraid and firm in our faith and they will know we are Christians by our love. That God will use Covid-19 to further the gospel.
4. Remember those of us who are single. I am fortunate to be living at home during this time, so I am not completely isolated. But many single people live alone and they do not have families to watch movies with, to spend quality time with, to share meals with and to wonder whether or not they should brave the grocery store. It is only them for the foreseeable future. So please don't forget the single people not snuggling with family on the couch.
5. Remember the elderly. Many of them are also alone and are at high risk. Their families probably can't visit to make sure they stay safe.
6. This is not about me. It is easy to be focused on how unsettling these changes are for me, how I am having a hard time focusing on my school work since I can't study at the library, how I can't travel, how I miss worshiping on Sundays, how I'm worried about my friends who are out of work, how I'm not sure where I will get the books I need for school. Instead, I pray that I will focus on my relationship with Christ and the needs of others.
