Day 75 of coronavirus in France
Day 24 of enforced confinement
“Another life is saved every eight minutes you self-isolate during confinement.”
— Dr Seth Flaxman, Imperial College London. (source)
Our friend who was in a coma with COVID-19 has come through; physical therapy promises to be a long road still ahead but he will recover.
We did a little gardening today. We spent some time learning to appreciate an organized closet. Hubby also had to clean up after a rodent intruder. In an attempt to not need to go grocery shopping for two full weeks we had been storing groceries on shelves in the garage. We won’t be doing that again. We lost a bag of potatoes; we’ll make do without them.
“The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men.”
— Robert Burns
We are confronted head on with our humanness and our failings. Daily we enter the arena to fight directly against our own ego. No matter how hard we strive we see our helplessness face to face. No matter what good we try to do, it is an uphill struggle. Not just against the contagion, but also against angry men who would pull you back down in the barrel rather than let you escape to get help. Sacrifice takes discipline. Putting yourself out there takes courage. Fielding attacks, negative feedback and haters requires strengthening your resolve. Standing firm to do the right, loving, sacrificial act with loved ones takes even more grits. I do not always get it right.
Where does the strength come from to peal yourself off the floor when you know you’ve failed, or you wish you had done something differently? The strength comes from the Lord, but through what means? Peal your motives down to their core level and take them to the mirror of the Lord.
I admit I am powerless. Thanks be to God that he does not have a broken body susceptible to disease and decay. I admit I am hurt. Praise the ever-present comforter and invite his Spirit into your heart. I admit my desire for self-preservation. Ask the Rock of ages to be your refuge and your advocate. I admit my desire for control. Praise the almighty and entrust him the reigns with confidence. I admit I should have reacted differently. Give thanks to Jesus for his never-ending mercy and implore him to purify you white as snow.
I admit I don’t always know what to do. Thank the omniscient Lord that eternal wisdom prevails, seek his word to assimilate truth. I admit my heart is troubled. Invite the peace that passes understanding to reveal something new to be thankful for every day or every meal.
This is repentance; and this is the reason Jesus rose again at Easter, that broken hearts may be whole and that broken relationships be reunited. This season join me in reading through the Gospels and take notes every time you see lâcher prise being modeled or taught. For an extra boost of life go deeper while meditating on the reading by asking the question, “What is God calling me to let go of today?”
The global principles of caring, respect and loving kindness have been turned on their heads. All the things we try to do to help come back to bite us. The ways we usually show love bring death. The new normal has us spinning. Choose life. Choose whatever is caring in the long run; this sacrifice is temporary.