COVID 19

We all watched the numbers of affected people rise,

never thinking it could eventually impact our perfect day to day life. 

Who could have imagined

family trips cancelled, for many just hours before leaving,

indefinite closures of schools, libraries and public spaces,

graduations and weddings on hold,

restaurants with chairs on tables,

churches going digital,

bare grocery shelves,

people working from home,

no more traffic on the streets.

And yet ...

not even a smidge of a taste of every day life for many.

Those who have no place to call home. 

those who could never even dream of a trip,

who have no access to schooling, let alone a library.

Those whose government regulates what kind of church can be had.

Those who do not know where their next meal will come from.

As it's easy to fear what the future holds,

imagining this virus spreading in secret places,

let us remember our many blessings

and how we can spread kindness ...

kindness in small actions that can grow into sheltering trees.

During this time of unknowns, I've been blessed by 

extra smiles and encouraging words,

kind fellow shoppers, 

thoughtful business owners,

an eagerness to make things work,

a church that reaches into our living rooms,

a feeling that we're all in this together ...

and mostly knowing that Jesus is too,

and when He speaks,

the winds and waves obey. 

There is no need to fear.