From the Heart
As a child I remember watching The Twilight Zone on TV. It was always a bit scary and unsettling. This week The Twilight Zone became my reality. And yes, it was scary and unsettling.
Like most everyone I know, I had so many questions and thoughts. A new word echoed from every corner … coronavirus.
Social media became a firestorm of warnings and predictions. Facts vs. fear.
China is far away. Italy is far away. Then came cases in Washington State … at a nursing home. My anxiety began to rise.
On Wednesday morning I received a call from my mother’s health campus. I knew it was time to up my level of concern. My mother turned 94 on March 14. My mom is high risk and quite vulnerable.
The call came in about 10 a.m. I was told I had four hours to get to the grocery and buy her supplies that she would need while being on lockdown for the next two weeks. I needed to hurry and pick up four bags of pork rinds and a large bag of Jolly Ranchers. Those were her requests.
And I needed to sit with her and reassure her that I would be calling and checking in on her every day. I just would not be allowed inside the health campus. She seemed to understand. I was the one struggling with not being able to hold her hand and hug her neck. Her birthday celebration would have to be postponed.
When I brought her groceries to her, I was asked several health and travel questions. My temperature was taken. I was sanitized. I appreciated their efforts and actions. While the decision was difficult for my mother and me, I knew it was also difficult for the healthcare workers who would be taking care of my mother and all the other residents. Mom understood. Many did not.
I read a quote on Friday evening by Pastor Craig Groeschel: “When our life is ‘normal’ we often concentrate our prayers on wanting the extraordinary to happen. However, when things aren’t normal, we hope for something normal … the ordinary.”
Oh, how I prayed for the return to normal and ordinary.
I needed to read the quote a few times this week by A.W. Tozer: “While it looks like things are out of control, behind the scenes there is a God who has not surrendered authority.”
I don’t know what the future holds. My reality includes a bit of fear and much uncertainty.
I am reminded of what Corrie Ten Boom wrote: “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”
I pray we can soon enjoy the ordinary and the normal. I have a new appreciation for both.