Right now, everyone I know is healthy.
The only event that I can recall that is the slightest bit like what’s happening now is the blizzard of 1978. It stormed through Ohio in January, covering everything under many drifted inches of blowing snow. Though I was only three, I still remember the big truck that drove down our road to stop in front of our house, our trudge through the snow to meet him, and the days we spent with my cousins because they had power (and heat) when we did not. I will never forget the multi-day, whole-family sleepover and the fun we had, playing, eating and laughing together, even the adults.
Right now, I am marveling at the gift of time we’ve been given.
With calendars forcibly cleared of so many things, days stretch out before us like a field of snow. I mentally list all the projects we finally have time to tackle, all the books we can read, all the games we can play, the movies we can watch, walks we can take, all together as a family that of late has been so scattered.
Those days with my cousins were really wonderful and what we’re on the brink of is certainly more ominous. Anxiety haunted my sleep Sunday night and I awoke Monday morning with this scripture:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” -Philippians 4: 6-9