In the long range look, I still believe in survival. Day by day takes focus and preparation. Maybe since I was five years old, I’ve never had time when the hours were so uncircumscribed. I spent a week in a dark room when I had red measles, but I don’t remember its being traumatic. Old age has its benefits. I supposedly am more likely to get the virus. On the other hand, I don’t have to worry about children, both school and entertaining, or a vast amount of food on hand for a variety of people.
For today, I’d like us to “bunch up.” That was a term when various grades I taught gathered around me on the floor. Sometimes I read; we reviewed the day; we untangled a problem. All considered it a time to be together. First topic to face: FEAR. Each of us is thrown off balance by uncertainty. There is a difference between fear and hysteria. Lay out the worst and sort it into pieces. Is there falsehood mixed in with facts. This very virtual contact is like holding a hand in the dark.
For me, number 2 is always OPTIONS. Nothing is wrong with making plan A or B or C. What needs to be put in place to ease stress or lessen chance of disaster? Everyone has to buy in to do what is necessary. I ate my last lunch out at a good friend’s house, but I will not go out to a restaurant. (They are slowly closing anyway.) At the same time I plan survival for myself, I keep reminding myself that some do not have a lot of choices. If mortgage is a big budget item, can you still choose that over eating or paying the light bill? Do I need to help create an option for someone else?
Wiggle closer and remember to capture the BLESSING. It may take a sideways look to find it. All around are ideas of how to survive. Working from home is better than closing down the business. Contact with children may be person to person and yield amazing results. Two closets will be cleaned and the yard kept in good shape. Yet, the missing of daily contact creates a tug of longing. We cannot answer for others, yet we can give purpose to where we are. Joshua stands at the border of new land with only a promise to offer safety. It is enough.
“Be strong and of good courage; be not frightened, neither be dismayed; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Let Me Tell Ya 