Living Through History

Living History

We are living through history. March 2020, April 2020 and the coming months will be remembered in far greater detail than Spring 2019. Covid-19, the novel coronavirus, will be a term future students will need to remember and understand to pass their tests. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could jump into the future and read the section of the history book that will teach us all about this virus and its effects? Hindsight will be 20/20. One day we will look back and better understand the times we are living through.

Unfortunately, we do not have that clarity of vision. We have to take it one day at a time, doing the best we can with the information presented before us. We do not have all the answers. We cannot understand the wide scope of things. We do, however, have the privilege of witnessing first hand how our world and our communities have handled this situation. We get to have our opinions that will either be proven right or wrong. We get to respond, in the moment, knowing full-well that we will not get everything right on the first try. We have the opportunity to put our mark on history – whether in big ways or small.

History books may not write about how you delivered groceries to your older friends and neighbors. Future students will not have to remember that you went out of your way with texts and phone calls to check on those who are feeling very isolated. But history will remember. God sees and will remember. The people whose lives you are impacting will remember.

Now is the time for us to embrace the opportunities that lie before us. In many ways we are restricted and limited by closures and stay at home orders, but there are some things that can not be stopped. There is no law against tangible acts of love. Phone lines are still open and can’t transmit germs. Creativity is being unleashed as masks are made, meals are prepared, and celebrations take on new forms.

We have to continue to think outside the box to uphold the things we value. Birthday celebrations cannot include big birthday parties, but birthdays are still being celebrated in very special, memorable ways. Mourning the loss of a loved one cannot include a big funeral right now, but the life that was lived and is now missed will continue to be celebrated and honored well beyond this time. Vacations cannot proceed, but finding the time to stop and regroup and find your equilibrium can still happen – even if it comes from sitting in a chair you own while in sight of your home.

There is no escape from the time we are living. Our best bet is to embrace our current “new normal” and look for what God wants to do IN us and THROUGH us during this time. What an amazing opportunity we have to reprioritize. We have to fight for human connection, and as a result we realize what a value it holds. What a blessing it is to to gain a greater appreciation for the people who work hard on a daily basis to keep things moving, especially in “essential” fields. What a gift is to grow in learning how to encourage and support others better.

But we can still make plans. We can still do fun things. We just have to be more creative.

God has not stopped working in our hearts, helping us to become more like Him. The Bible talks about pruning and a refining fire. Both are painful and result in loss, but the product that comes through the fire and testing is more solid. We will be more solid, individually and collectively when we come through this. And we will get through this.

It seems people are falling into one of two camps these days: Either you are more busy than ever or you have a lot more time on your hands. If you are in campy number two and you are looking for things to do, here are some things you might want to consider. If you see a need, fill that need. If you cannot fill that need, pray and ask for help.

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

Things you CAN do:

*Call people you know who are feeling lonely and isolated.

*Call someone you haven’t talked to in a long time and reconnect.

*Offer to pick up groceries for an older friend, neighbor or family member.

*Drop off flowers or a gift to someone on their front doorstep.

*Plan a virtual get together.

*Send a note or a card to someone in a nursing home (since they can’t get visitors right now)

*Make a meal for an essential worker and drop it on their doorstep.

*Buy snacks and drop them off or have them sent to those working in healthcare.

*Order take out from local restaurants to keep them in business during this time.

*Make cloth masks if you are crafty

*Pray for and send a text to healthcare workers you know during their shift.

*Offer to do yard work for your neighbors – clean out flower beds and rake leaves.

*Share books with each other – drop them on doorsteps (you can always wait a few days before playing in case you’re worried about germs being on the game).

*Share puzzles and other games – again, drop them on doorsteps and wait a time if needed.

*Start a book study and “meet” to discuss through zoom.

*Go for a drive and pray for the people you pass and for the people who live in the homes you pass.

*Drive to a friend’s house and stand outside and talk to each other 10 feet apart.

*Go through your contact list on your phone and pray for each person by name.

*Pick up hand sanitizer from a distillery and drop it off to friends. Call wineries and distilleries to see if they are selling it. Many are.

*Play a game with friend through zoom.

*Send encouraging messages through social media.