Before the World Closed (and After it Opens up Again)

The world right now is crazy, if you think about it. In fact, it's so crazy that we have a hard time thinking about it. We have lost so many daily activities that we had taken for granted: going out to eat, going shopping (not buying, just shopping – like at the mall), product availability (you fill in the product you miss the most), friend-hugs, medical check-ups (for healthy people), schools, jobs, good health, adequate medical supplies, in-person church services, live theatre, movie theatres, hair cuts, Amazon two-day delivery, weddings, funerals, eye exams, graduations, vacations, schedules, sports, concerts, and more. One day, we could do them all without a second thought. We could live our lives, pretty much however we wanted, without a significant risk to our own or anyone else's health. That was way back in...February. Not even two months ago!! What? We started hearing about the coronavirus in China in January, but it was so far away that it was not real to us. Then, in a very short amount of time, one thing after another became limited, then restricted, and (many times) then stopped. Eliminated. Closed. Postponed. Canceled. Changed. Completely out of our control. How? Why? For how long? It's like each of us has been tasked with putting together a 5000 piece, garage-sale puzzle of an unknown picture, and we're not even sure we have all the pieces. I'll tell you what this global pandemic isn't. It isn't fair. 

No vacations for now, so we will go on pretend adventures.

Eggs on sale? This is big news. One per customer.

We now attend online church, with our cat.

 

Of course, if we think about it, we know that life never was fair. It was fairer than it is now, possibly. I was going to say it was easier, but I'm not sure that's true. Of course, we miss many of the conveniences that were at our fingertips a little more than a month ago. But many of us have also eliminated all the extra-busyness that was overcrowding our schedules and our lives. Those of us in non-essential positions are at home now, and we have TIME that we didn't have before. That makes life harder in some ways, easier in others, and different in every way imaginable. We have decisions to make as to how to spend that extra time.

And do you know what? I have seen some awesome decisions being made. I have seen people stepping up to help people. I have seen teddy bears in so many windows, for all the families “going on a bear hunt.” I have read about many companies giving away their services for a couple of months, while we all sit at home. I have seen a rising awareness and concern for our mental health. I have seen online free concerts. Accommodations are being made so people can get services in a different way. People are thinking outside the box. It's not perfect and lots of folks are not doing great right now, to be sure, but I see a collective effort where I hadn't seen that before. Most natural disasters hit only one region at a time, and the rest of us are able to go on as normal and to help those impacted. This is not that kind of disaster. It is on a scale that we have not seen in our lifetimes. In this unprecedented time, I have witnessed many people living their lives according to the message of the great philosopher of a generation ago (Red Green), “Remember, I'm pulling for you. We're all in this together.” And on the flip side, I've seen mass hoarding as well. It turns out, if the whole country/world wants to stock up on toilet paper and hand soap, the whole country/world runs out. Some get it, and some don't.

Christmas present = hot commodity!

 

So, what are the take-aways from this global pandemic, aside from our new vocabulary that includes words like social distancing, self-isolation, contactless delivery, global pandemic, flattening the curve, Stay Home Minnesota, and distance learning? Here are a few things I want to keep thinking about when life gets back to “normal”- whatever and whenever that is.

1. Some will get it, and some won't. Of course, this is true of the virus, but that's not what I was thinking about. It is true of our goods and services. It's also true of the urgency of the measures we are taking to slow the spread of the virus. It's true of the opportunities we have to reach out to others (in a “contactless” way). Be someone who gets it, someone who finds ways to help, someone who is generous, someone who responds with compassion rather than fear. Rest when you are tired, and then step up to be the best you can be. Be someone who continues to look for the compassionate response even after this global pandemic is over, even when people are irritating and you don't have time. Keep on stepping up.
   
   
2. Express your gratitude. Our whole world turned upside down in about 30 seconds. None of us expected that, and no one knows what is next. Keep safe, but also don't wait until tomorrow to say, “I am thankful for you!” Let people know now. Keep letting them know later. Let “thank you” become one of your new vocabulary words that sticks with your forever. And remember all those things you don't have right now? Be thankful for each one as you get it back, even if it looks different from what it looked like before this all started.
   
   
3. Ease back into activities. Think before you go back to the hectic pace you had been keeping before this global pandemic stopped you in your tracks. Even if everything you were doing “before” was good, that doesn't mean it was best for you. Keep some margin in your life.
   
   
4. Wherever we are, whatever our circumstances are, we can always pray. Pray now. Pray later. God is listening. He is powerful. He is not afraid of the coronavirus or anything else we are facing. He knows us and understands our needs even better than we do ourselves, and He loves us always.

So that's what I have so far. I know there will be more lessons. I hope I will be teachable.

If you need help, let me know. Remember, I'm pulling for you. We're all in this together.