Wowza. It has been a stressful few weeks pretty much for everybody I know. It started for my family with my unexpected stay in the hospital, followed by my mom being hospitalized, followed by devastating and deadly tornadoes, and now the Coronavirus, which for me, is causing mass cancelations of tours. Add to that schools closed, wacky politics, and the run on toilet paper and disinfecting wipes at the grocery and it can feel like a lot.
We have one family member who is swimming in anxiety over the virus, another who is a bit more cavalier. They stress each other. Those who are in healthcare have to feel pressure on right diagnoses, who to suggest go home and self-quarantine or who to send to the hospital. It is a lot.
I heard someone from the CDC talk about how devastating the Coronavirus will most likely be in Africa because of the lack of medical care and the vulnerability of the population. That makes me think of my friends at Exile International and Made in the Streets and those who work with Living Water. It is distressing and it is a lot.
Today, I read a piece that makes the most sense to me concerning our responsibility and the Coronavirus. If you are young and unconcerned about getting sick because in your demographic few are dying, then good for you. But, there is a whole big valuable demographic for whom you are also responsible...your parents and grandparents. So, take care, and possibly keep yourself from large crowds in an effort to protect others. That is really not asking a lot.
The other piece that hit me is that if we will be cautious and keep ourselves away from large groups and just follow the precautions of washing hands and cleaning hard surfaces well, we will at least slow down the spread of the virus which will enhance our hospitals' ability to treat the most ill patients. Slowing the virus down will possibly keep from overwhelming hospitals and prevent healthcare workers from having to decide which patient will get the last available ventilator and which will be left to die. I cannot even imagine the agony of having to make such decisions. That is a lot.
So, yes, it is a stressful time. Bless, I have one child whose sewerage backed up in their house and they are having to deal with poop and toilet paper floating around in their basement. That is a lot in the best of times.
Not being one who subscribes to the "let go and let God," mantra, I believe God expects us to care for each other and look beyond our own navels. I, in no way believe that God caused this virus. My teaching minister Sunday made a statement that went something like this..."the power of God was not shown in the storm (tornadoes in Nashville last week), but it was in the faces of those who came to serve the victims of the storm." I believe we have the opportunity to show the love of God by trying to overcome our fear (not our caution), do what we can to protect ourselves and others, and serve where we are called. That is a lot.
We have never been promised that this life would be easy and without stress. If it is, we are not living it rightly. But I offer you the following passage from Isaiah 41:10:
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
It is a lot.
