Last week when I heard the assisted facility where a relative is went into complete lockdown because of the virus, it really didn't phase me too much. I know I am not alone and "we're all in this together." That was a week ago or so; I'm not counting days.
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Courtesy of Pixabay
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Many functions have canceled, churches have canceled services, support groups, we're asked to stay put and tensions are rising. I thought I was immune but this morning I'm a bit cranky.
I dropped something off to the facility and the woman who answered the door asked me how I was doing, so I told her! She shared that the state of affairs there is getting to others too. I could see tears in her eyes as she said this. Someone waiting in the entrance way share some of her own issues, also.
After picking up some necessary groceries I headed home, put them away and went on with the rest of the evening, fixing supper, finishing some tasks and here I am writing this post. The crankiness is gone, I have a bit more energy.
I remember a Tao saying, something to the effect, that if we are in a river with a strong current, the best way to get to the other side is to go with the current, it will take you to the other side. We are all in a strong current right now, a river we can't control. However, we are all swimming and trying to stay afloat as well as trying to get to the other side. I wonder if what helped the crankiness today was not fighting it but going with the current.
We'll all get to the other side eventually; the complete lock down will let up at some point. The song, "Impossible Dream" plays: "When we walk through a storm, keep our head up high and don't be afraid of the dark...though our dreams be tossed and blown...walk on, walk on through the dark...we'll never walk alone! Walk on with hope in our heart and we'll never walk alone!" I am no longer cranky!
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Lately, my 7 y/o kitty, Pepper, has been acting very close, especially a short while before it's time to get up. This morning I was lying on my back when she crawled up on my chest and abdomen. She was stretched out with her head on my chest; she often purrs at these times. I wondered if she was hearing my heartbeat.
I remember my vet telling me, after I had to put one of my cats down, that certainly the second cat knew this fact, able to hear that his brother's heart was not beating. She said a cat's hearing is so acute that she thought for sure he knew his brother was dead.
As I laid in bed with Pepper, it just overwhelmed me thinking that these days of social distancing, routine life gone, a quieter atmosphere than normal and reduced activity have given me time to listen more acutely. It's also Lent, with Easter in a short few weeks.
How often do we rest our head on God's chest to listen to His heartbeat, to rest in His presence with His arms around us, just feeling His love and guidance. It is there but it is so easy to get distracted with all of the present happenings. If we really quiet down and listen we can know He hasn't left us, that He is very much alive. His heartbeat is still beating; nothing will extinguish it!
So, we can be in turmoil with all that is happening around us or we can trust that these days, weeks and who knows how long, can bring us into closer intimacy with the One who loves and guides us...if we listen to that Heartbeat.
Yesterday while looking at the computer I saw that the local restaurant we go to up north now has a drive by window for pick-ups. Yes, this pandemic has forced change in many ways, but if they didn't change, it would be the end of their business. I can't imagine what they did to make their building accessible, let alone the cost and other factors.
Amazing what happens in the quiet of being alone, with time to ponder things. I got to thinking about other major changes that surely will follow but one has been catching my attention, especially with Easter approaching. The question is: "How will our churches minister to parishioners during this time?"
Many are cooped up in facilities with no family or friends being allowed to visit, kids are home from school, parents can't work, physical distance is being asked with the words "social distancing" but more than that, how do we stay connected in spite of it all? And I go back to our spiritual organizations.
Then a bright thought came to mind...at least for me it was a bright thought! What if there was a directory of all parishioners that provided emails, phone numbers etc. so a pastoral team could call those folks just to touch base and let them know they were thinking about them! If each parishioner had this directory we could call one another, too! It would take less time than travel, but it certainly means a different energy especially if the parishioner was hard of hearing, didn't have a phone and other things.
Maybe the connection would have to be with another family member who would have to relay this attempt to the shut-in. But at least that person would know they were being supported and concern was shown. The call also wouldn't have to fall on just a small pastoral team.
I don't even know who to mention this to, being Saturday, offices closed and no phone numbers but Facebook, sharing the message, getting on the horn and talking...we can do it! We are all in this together. We are not helpless. And there's no reason to act hopeless. Even our pastors and leaders need our encouragement with ideas. The grassroots is a large arena for getting things done. We do not always need a council to take a vote.
Is this a viable idea or not? The schools are reaching out to those kids who are deprived of a meal so are delivering and making available bagged meals. M
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any are being deprived of spiritual meals too. How can we deliver some spiritual support to those in need!
If we don't figure out how to revamp our churches' ministries somehow, I'm afraid it will be the end of what is vitally important to many of us. We can do it. We are as good as the local restaurants but we need to take action now!
Please share this post, please! Thank you! And God bless each and every one of you. Prayer is one thing but action springs from this prayer and our love of God!
