You’ve probably listened intently, as I have, to the daily Coronavirus Task Force briefings. In the beginning, we heard about the astronomical number of ventilators, ICU beds, and protective equipment that would be required when this virus hit America full force.
Scientists explained staggering graphs predicting horrific numbers of deaths. We became accustomed to hearing terms like “mitigation” “granular” “peaks” “flattening out the curve” “models.”
We were told, sometimes commanded, to practice “social distancing” “sheltering in place” quarantining, repeatedly washing our hands, not touching our faces, thoroughly sanitizing our homes. Don’t wear masks unless you’re sick morphed to everyone wear masks when you leave home. And don’t forget your disposable gloves.
We went from not gathering in groups of more than 50, than 30, than 10, and now only with those in your household.
The economy came to a complete halt as businesses closed their doors, workers laid off, schools, parks, restaurants, and beaches closed. Only what the local governments considered “essential” stayed open. Liquor stores are deemed essential but churches are “nonessential.” If a pastor thinks differently, he can be arrested or fined.
We followed “Presidential Guidelines for 15 Days” now extended to 30 days, as we anxiously await to hear what happens on May 1.
But alas the enormous number of ventilators thought to be required weren’t needed and we may now give our excess to other countries. Those contracting the disease and succumbing from it didn’t come close to the predicted dire statistics.
What Happened? We Kept the Faith!
The scientists explain the discrepancy in their predictions with what actually materialized was because they underestimated that the American people would follow the “mitigation” guidelines so closely. Grandparents would stop seeing their grandchildren. Everyone would stay 6 feet apart. Stop hugging. Stop shaking hands. Stop leaving home.
They also didn’t factor into their graphs and statistics, or even give credit to, the power of prayer.
Facts without faith are just numbers on a chart. With God, all things are possible. I wrote about this last month in my blog Family, Faith, and Science.
Yesterday, on Easter, we celebrated the fact that Jesus arose from the dead on the third day. Jesus was a real person who walked on this earth, was crucified on a cross, and was resurrected to walk on the earth again for 40 days before ascending to heaven to await those of us who believe in Him.
Facts substantiate our Christian faith.
Even though we couldn’t go to church, we could, and would, still pray from our homes for God to heal our land, comfort the sick, grieve with the grieving, give strength and protection to all the first-responders and hospital workers.
We plead with God to infuse our President with wisdom as he is forced to make decisions he could have never imagined would materialize on his watch.
As head of the task force, Vice President Pence, a devout Christian, often calls on the American people to pray and thanks them for their prayers “to heal our land.”
On Good Friday, our President addressed the American people from the Oval Office and thanked everyone praying for him and his family, “those prayers are felt” he said. Later that day at the press conference, as he discussed the importance of Easter which we would be celebrating from our homes, he publically said to the press and everyone watching, “I’m a Christian and Easter is important to me!”
#AmericaWorksTogether
Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 NLT
Yes, what the scientists and statisticians didn’t calculate into their models was the fortitude and predisposition of the American people to pray and love their neighbor more than themselves.
I think they were blown away with the ingenuity, compassion, creativity, and selflessness of the majority of people to pitch in and help each other during a crisis. Especially, caring for those we repeatedly hear are the most vulnerable. Every time someone says, “those most at risk,” I get a lump in my throat and fight back tears because I’m in that group.
I’ve been on the receiving end of kindness, generosity, and love. Here are just a few ways I’ve experienced someone loving their neighbor more than themselves during this pandemic.
1. Our daughter didn’t want us going into grocery stores. She took our grocery lists and went shopping for us at two different stores. Yes, she went to Trader Joe’s for me!!
2. We had been hibernating at home since the end of February and live over an hour away from shopping, so by the time things got serious, protective and sanitizing supplies weren’t available online. A dear friend gave me disinfecting wipes, which are truly like gold. Then the Holy Spirit woke her up at 6:00 am the next morning telling her she needed to protect me more and she gave us two masks and reusable gloves.
3. A Facebook friend saw my picture on FB using a bandanna as a face mask and messaged me that a woman at her church was making face masks. What was my address and she would send us two. They arrived yesterday!
4. A neighbor had extra berries from a local vendor and called to see if we would like some.
5. Another friend and her husband picked up items for us at COSTCO when they went shopping. They took their pickup and also shopped for others in our rural community.
6. My birthday was last week and my hubby called the local restaurant a few days early to order takeout for a special meal. He asked if they could make my favorite entree, which wasn’t on their menu, and they said sorry not this time. But when the owner chef heard it was my birthday, his wife called to say he would order what he needed to make my request. I cried.
When hubby went to pick up our dinner, he saw other friends. They said they takeout once a week to support this restaurant.
7. We’re restricted from being around our grandchildren, so my 11-year-old granddaughter made my favorite chocolate cake and then the grandkids video messaged me to sing Happy Birthday and virtually give me a piece of cake while they enjoyed eating it.
I feel like I’m always on the receiving end of kindness, but then I receive emails and messages from readers telling me that a blog or Facebook post I wrote encouraged them or helped reduce their anxiety.
Then I’m reminded that God gave each of us gifts and when we surrender those gifts back to Him, He can use them where they’re needed most.
The blog that has recently generated the greatest response is Five Powerful Prayers for Peace Amidst Pandemic Fear. Maybe it will bless you too.
I know it would be encouraging to all of us, and especially me, if you shared what you’re doing, or what someone has done for you, during this pandemic.
We’re truly better when #Americaworkstogetherkeepingthefaith!
36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”
37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:36-40
Opening picture is at a Samaritan’s Purse Coronavirus Hospital.
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