Five Examples for Thankfulness in the Covid-19 Experience
Apr 01, 2020
Times Are Very Tough
Nancy and I have spent much time praying for our family, especially for our daughter-in-law who is a nurse in a government hospital system that requires that she show up for work even if she has tested positive but seems asymptomatic. Our nephew is a first responder and cares so much more about helping others than helping himself. What a young and inspiring example.
Then one day, we realized that every family has some special reason for prayers about their family members at this time. We’ve started adding prayers for many others outside our family and calling them by name.
However, we’ve also noticed some changes in postings, emails, Zoom Sessions and other forms of interaction. Some of these lead to five trends and opportunities for which we can be thankful, and I will challenge you at the end of this blog not to laugh and not to cry. Read on…
Example #1
A Control Freak is a person who feels an obsessive need to exercise control over themselves and others and to take command of any situation. Psychology Today says there are the 7 signs of one: 1) You aren’t a good team player. 2) You believe you are 100 percent responsible for your success. 3) You invest a lot of time into trying to convince other people to change. 4) You have trouble maintaining meaningful relationships. 5) You spend a lot of energy trying to prevent bad things from happening. 6) You don’t delegate. 7) You lack compassion for people who make mistakes. Ouch… sometimes that’s me!
These times are revealing to many of us that we are this way. In fact, we even think we are in control versus God, but it may not be revealed to us until we feel the kind of fear many are feeling now. The Lord has much to say about trusting Him. One well-known scripture is Isaiah 41:10 NIV “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
If we think we can control our lives, may this season of lack of control lead us to a deeper relationship with God knowing that whatever we may face is for our good – even if we don’t understand His plan. God is good.
Example #2
One of the parts of our lives that has been counterintuitive is how busyness somehow equals importance. What a farce this has proven to be. We’ve now been given some time to look at our lives and wonder why we put different activities in our lives. Does my child really have to have chess, ballet, soccer, cheerleading, and other lessons just like our other children? (I warn you. What I am about to type is profoundly surprising!) Alternatively, I actually have been seeing neighborhood children playing hide-and-go-seek with each other in yards, using their creativity, and getting to know each other through conversations and spontaneous playfulness. Can you imagine that?!
Example #3
Sitting on our front porch, we have seen so many people go by that we did not know lived in our neighborhood. Shame on us, but we have tried to strike up a conversation with proper distance. Hopefully, we will all use this time to get to know and love our neighbors – the Second Greatest Commandment.
Example #4
There are more opportunities in general to talk about our Lord with others, even non-Believers. Not everyone in my family is a Believer, but even we have had some opportunities to ask a question like, “Why did God create mankind?” and other big questions. Just like 9/11, more and more people are contemplating why we exist and the meaning of life. We must raise these issues because God is our answer.
Example #5
Check out this video. I challenge you not to laugh and not to cry. Remember my daughter-in-law nurse and nephew first responder.
Conclusion
What else can I say? May God bless you.
Charlie Haines
