CORONAVIRUS. Or Covid-19. Or the "Rona" as I like to affectionately call it. The Covid-19 virus has become a world-wide pandemic that is affecting everything.
First the stores started running out of toilet paper. Then they told everyone that could to work from home, school from home, just stay home unless you were an essential employee (i.e. Doctor, nurse, delivery person, grocery store clerk, etc.) Dentist offices, beauty salons, and gyms were mandated by our state's governor to close. Churches closed their doors. Parents who rely on public school (so they can go to work) were told to teach their kids at home. The State and Schools provided curriculum, but it was up to the parents to get (bribe, manipulate, induce) their children to comply.
For at least eight weeks I was schooling two elementary aged students, attempting to keep one preschooler from breaking any of her bones, and working four days a week - all while my husband was trying to work a 50-hour work week from home - with conference calls and digital meetings. (Have you heard about Zoom?)
It was chaos, but we managed to survive it. And I know without a doubt that we probably had it easier than most.
For others the nation-wide shut down was a much needed slow-down. Time for the family to really enjoy one another, or to get out and enjoy the outdoors and some nature. For others the shut-down meant loss of jobs or trying to figure out how to work, school, and stay sane simultaneously. Restaurants were closed which affected the food supply chain and you can feel the consequences of that at the grocery store - from the bare shelves to the sky-high meat prices.
I have no doubt that the two month total shut down will have very far reaching consequences. Many, many businesses have closed their doors for good and may not even know it yet.
My emotions can really get the better of me when I think about people trapped in abusive homes, or homes where there are food insecurities, or students who struggle with school and don't have support at home, but mostly I am just stressed out by the never-ending unknown of it all. Will they find a vaccine, effective treatment? Will they get testing to a level that allows all of us to get back to some sort of normalcy? Will there be school this fall? How will I keep working if there is no school and husband has to go back to work in an office?!?!
There are so many unknowns in this situation and no real end in sight. Will it get worse? Will hospitals be overrun?
Some parts of the country have peaked and are recovering at this point, but our state is really just beginning to see a sharp rise in cases, so it feels like another beginning of sorts, but not the good kind.
I'm trying to remain calm and level headed. The best way I've found to accomplish this has been by reminding myself that my God is a holy, righteous, and sovereign God. He knows.
He knows how long it will last and who will be affected. He knows when and how it will stop. He is in control and can use any and all circumstances for His good and His glory. He is not a fickle ever-changing God. He is unvarying and steadfast. He is grieved when we are grieved and He will right every wrong. These two verses have been the truths that I have been clinging to:
Isaiah 26:3 ESV
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
John 16:33 ESV
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
My sister-in-law shared a song with me one day and it has been my "remain calm" anthem during all of the ups and downs and what ifs of this pandemic:
So, if you are panicking about the pandemic (like I have a tendency to do on occasion) then get in the word and speak God's truth to your heart.
Also, you can pick up a hobby like making your own home-made kombucha, sewing face masks, or crocheting. I chose making my own sourdough starter from scratch and baking fresh bread every week. This is great for my nerves and helping me to adequately gain the requisite "Covid-19." I've also kept up my running, so I am pretty much breaking even between the two just in case you were starting to really worry about me.
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