THESE ARE HARD TIMES

Lots has happened since I last wrote. Covid-19 has disrupted life as we know it.  I’ve waited in line. I’ve seen the empty shelves. I’ve laughed at the T.P. jokes. We should call it the ‘toiletpapervirus’! There’s not any toilet paper in the stores around here, or at least there wasn’t when I went shopping last week.

My father lives in a retirement facility. First it was wash hands and use hand sanitizer > Next it was wash hands with soap at the portable station, use hand sanitizer at the counter, and staff signs you in > Then magazines put away, coffee/tea visitor station eliminated, no salad bar, sanitizing everything after meals > Last it was discourage visitors, facility under lockdown.

I was expecting all these measures, given the clientele. But it’s unfortunate that I can’t visit my dad. I think he’ll get lonely. I’ll miss seeing him. We talk on the phone, but it’s not the same.

We think ahead. What if it gets bad, what then? I’m sure we’ll move Dad to be with one of us kids when that time comes. I’m mentally gearing up for what I need to do. I’m expecting that non-essential doctor appointments to be cancelled to reschedule at a later date, that’s already the case with my dentist. I assume we won’t shop much either. I need a few items that will have to wait.

We’re doing life differently.

My sister and I were talking about the way it could become. The younger sets that don’t know about washing cloth diapers and how that all works, whom have not done as much ‘doing for yourself’ as we used to do. If this lasts long, there is going to be a learning curve back to the old ways of doing life from scratch, at least, in some things.

Most of us will have to be thrifty-minded with our finances out of necessity. That might be good for us. Also, sewing machines are in use as people sew face masks. My sister in Washington is sewing them for the facility where her mother-in-law resides.

I like how people are coming together: like making encouraging videos of themselves talking, singing, painting, reading, and any uplifting content. I watched Neil Diamond sing “Sweet Caroline” inserting alternate lyrics “Hands, Washing Hands.”

I’ve been trying to think what I could do. I’ve thought about reading children’s books, my favorites from teaching years. I could become Grandma Norma to more than just my grandchildren. It’s a thought. I have large size Beatrice Potter books I used to read for my students before Easter. What do you think?

We’re doing church differently.

The social distancing requirement is causing churches to get creative. My friend, Dennis Kreiss, pastor of Pine Grove Church in Oregon has come up with a novel idea. The church does “Drive Up Church” where you sit in your car in the church parking lot listening to the service on FM radio while he leads from the church’s front entrance.

He connects using Zoom, video conferencing software, so members can join together for prayer meeting, Bible study, and other church meetings. They also livestream their services. He showed a picture of the cars parked in the church’s parking lot for morning worship.

The cool thing is you can attend different churches without ever leaving home. A Twitter friend said she “attended” six church services yesterday: Three on TV; three online.  She said “Blessed X6.” I think that’s great!

We need to take good care of ourselves.

Fear of what is and what could be with the pandemic scares us. It helps to be reminded that God is in control.

For Spiritual Strength do the Following:

1. Read Psalm 91 – Read this chapter often. God is with us. He has not abandoned us.

2. Say the Lord’s Prayer – Pray ‘Our Father’ whenever fear is overwhelming you.

3. Recite Psalm 23 – The Good Shepherd is taking care of us in every situation. Recite slowly.

4. Pray –  Pray for those who are sick, pray for your family. God is with us. Thank Him.

5. Praise – Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Give credit where credit is due.

6. Call on God – Call on God when you are afraid and frightened, especially when fears multiply.

I am praying for you and your families during this difficult time. We have a good God and He loves us very much. We will get through this. Make sure you are ‘right’ with God.

Blessings to all my friends reading this blog.

*photo by Tai’s Captures on Unsplash

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