the greater good.
A New Normal
This morning I erased all the words.
All the words written last week.
All the words that I’d planned to edit and share with you today.
I woke up this morning and realized there was an elephant in the room.
Despite all the discussions I felt it couldn’t be ignored.
And it’s name?
Covid-19
There. I’ve said it.
I don’t have health advice to offer. Or cleaning tips. Or even secret access to toilet paper.
But I will say that in my lifetime I’ve never experienced anything on this level. An unprecedented global crisis. One that has left us blindsided by shutdowns. Sequestered in our homes. Shaking our heads in an attempt to fathom it’s magnitude.
As our inner rebel struggles to follow strict guidelines I think it’s valuable to keep an open heart. To think about the person you want to be. To consider a new normal.
As the virus spreads our cooperation becomes more imperative. Life becomes about the greater good. Loving our neighbor has never been more important.
I hope each of you is healthy. Protecting yourself in the best possible way. Washing your hands. Not touching your face.
(Although can I just say….when someone says, “don’t touch your face” am I the only one that’s constantly touching my face?)
I am thankful for the dedication of those in the medical field laboring tirelessly. Grocery stores that are working round the clock. And no matter your feelings about Amazon it has become our best friend.
In the midst of all the closures. The uncertainty. The challenges. The inconveniences.
I have found a gift I wasn’t expecting.
Extra time.
Sometimes when we’re forced to stop moving. Rushing. Chasing. There is an opportunity to look around and focus on what is right before us.
I don’t want to spend my life confined to my home but for the duration, I should try and make the most of it.
Rather than being resentful and feeling like we’re held hostage I, for one want to embrace this unexpected time.
Consider it an opportunity to reset. An invitation to slow down. An excuse to pause.
We’re all in this together.
Decide who you want to be.
For the greater good.
“We are not called to save the world, solve all problems, and help all people. But we each have our own unique call in our families, in our work, in our world. We have to keep asking God to help us see clearly what our call is and to give us the strength to live out that call with trust. Then we will discover that our faithfulness to a small task is the most healing response to the illnesses of our time.”