COVID 19

I have been doing home visits for over 20 years now, with retirement a few weeks away.

And I have never been afraid. I have walked down alleyways, up rickety stairs, across roof tops to more rickety staircases. Into buildings where I knew drug deals might be going down. Bed bugs and head lice and other little critters did not keep me away. I was never anywhere that I did not want to be.

Then along comes this invisible germ. This little bug, a coronavirus, a submicroscopic pathogen that scientists have named Covid19. And I am feeling afraid. I am not invincible against it. It is keeping me away from where I want to be. I long to be everywhere and nowhere at the same time. My heart is breaking with the realization that I have completed my last home visit.

My very insightful and caring son, an avid basketball player and fan, while understanding my concerns and feelings, told me that I was in good company. He shared a story about Vince Carter, a former Toronto Raptor, currently playing for the Atlanta Hawks. Vince was very much looking forward to playing his last season, knowing that he would be on the basketball court with players who had yet to be born when Vince had played his first game. His season also came to an abrupt end.

Everywhere in the world dreams are ending or being put on hold. There is both hope and fear in what the future holds for us.

This morning, my husband and I sat at our dining room table and participated in a virtual Worship service led by the Pastor of our church. It was a very intimate and spiritually uplifting time, singing and praying together. Around the world many people were doing the same.

Philippians 4:6 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your request to God.