Well, I can honestly say that this has been one of the most insane weeks on record that I think I’ve ever experienced in my 32 years of life on this Earth.
And it seems like the insanity and craziness has no end in sight.
I’ve literally seen viral videos of people fighting over toilet paper. FIGHTING. It’s literally like Black Friday all over again, but this time around, it seems 10 times worse. It’s disheartening.
Actually, my heart physically sinks inside because it makes me so upset.
As the news about this pandemic continues to flood our day-to-day culture (and please don’t get me started on the media because I will go off), I feel so many different emotions.
My natural reaction to all of this is sadness because there are so many people who are infected that won’t be able to get the proper care or supplies they need because those that aren’t infected are hoarding items like the apocalypse is on the horizon.
My second reaction is worry because both of my parents are over the age of 60.
My third reaction is anger because the media is feeding upon every little detail that is happening and seems to be (at least in my mind) blowing this all way out of proportion.
Like, stop it. You’re causing the entire world to panic.
However, among all the frenzy, craziness, and panic, I’m reminded that above all, I must have faith.
Because without it, we are nothing.
Mary McLeod once said the following and how true it rings for me today as we go through the current events of the world together.
“Without faith, nothing is possible. With it, nothing is impossible.”
How true these words are and while it seems virtually impossible to think about them at a time like that of which we are experiencing currently, they are ones that I must keep in the back of my mind as I live out life on the daily these next few weeks.
While I know that religion is not everyone’s thing, I found some really powerful solace in the lyrics of a hymn we sang today that I wanted to share. The hymn, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, has some beautiful lyrics that remind me to pause and know that in times of need, we will always be provided for.
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
And all I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness
Lord unto me
As I sit here writing this blog post on a comfortable recliner in my parents’ home, I look outside the window and see the sunshine brightly revealing its rays across the green grass and blue skies.
And seeing the sunshine signals the reminder to me that even in times of fear and uncertainty, I must stay strong for those around me who can’t and be the sunshine amdist the grips of fear and gray that are clutching our country.
Tell one, two, three, or ten people in your life that you love them.
I share with you one last prayer that was shared by our church Vicar, Angela Hammer this past week at our weekly council meeting and also at our Sunday morning church service.
May we are merely inconvenieced,
Remember those whose lives are at stake.
May we who have no risk factors,
Remember those most vulnerable.
May we who have the luxury of working from home,
Remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent.
May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close,
Remember those who have no options.
May we who have to cancel our trips,
Remember those that have no safe place to go.
May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market,
Remember those who have no margin at all.
May we who settle in for a quarantine at home,
Remember those who have no home.
As fear grips our country, let us choose love.
During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other, let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors.
But above all, have faith.
Stay safe.
Sprinkle sunshine always,
JP!
Mr. Sunshine Smiles 