A few months ago, the large squares on our calendar were filling up quickly. There was a special trip planned with our youngest son and his family to visit Disney World during the children’s Spring break. We had rented a house with a swimming pool and had already purchased plane tickets. We were looking forward to our Spring trip but had not told the grandchildren yet. You do not tell a six and eight year old until the last minute! We had hoped for an early Spring trip to Montana and another trip South to see my family. We had purchased a cruise for September to New England.
Then word began to spread of the Covid-19 virus. The coronavirus first surfaced in a Chinese seafood and poultry market in late 2019. It seemed it was on the other side of the world at the time…nowhere near us. We would soon learn how contagious and deadly this virus is as individuals on cruise ships and planes – individuals who would test positive – traveled to the United States with it. We kept up with the news each day as the number of cases grew throughout the world and throughout our country. As the number of cases grew, so did the deaths.We made the decision early to rethink our Spring plans and cancelled them. As we watched the news each day, the path of the coronavirus seemed to grow like a wildfire.
Slowly but surely, this world – as we knew it – began to change. “Shelter in place” and “self-quarantine” became familiar phrases. At the urging of the president and governors of a few different states: schools were closed, businesses were closed or worked at 50% of their employees at any given time, restaurants closed or operated with carry-out or delivery only, dentist offices closed except for emergencies, doctors called us in response to non life-threatening problems instead of going into the office. We were instructed to “stay home”, to “self-quarantine”. Since my husband and I are in the “at risk” age bracket, we’re staying at home. Not to mention the fact that he has diabetes and I have asthma. If you’ve watched the news, then you know the number of states affected and the number of positive cases continue to grow. Hospitals are running out of supplies, including ventilators, and staff are stretched to the limit. As a long time RN, I remember what that felt like. When will this end? Only God knows. The scientists and physicians can predict, but only God knows.
Now is the time to remember that God is, indeed, in control. He is Sovereign. Now is the time to be strong and have faith. Now is the time to pray. I hope you are each healthy and safe.
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91: 1-2 NIV
