Who could have imagined seventeen months ago that an invisible virus would come in like a wrecking ball and change every single thing we know? One moment you’re feeling fine, and in an instant- a tsunami of tears and isolation is washing over you.
The unforeseen pandemic, involuntary homeschooling, social distancing storm surge our planet experienced felt a lot like grief!
I’m praying hard that the recent increase in daily numbers is a temporary setback, and will end soon. In the meantime here are a few takeaways I noticed:
1) Grief (and a scary pandemic) sometimes feel like crazy. Social distancing and quarantine are super weird. We’re not used to living life without human contact! But, even if your sleep, appetite, patience and entire world felt upside down. it doesn’t mean you were crazy. You were probably grieving. Grief and crazy look a lot alike.
2) The season we just went through felt like swimming in peanut butter. Over those tough months, many of us discovered that it was OK to slow down a little, take a breath, take a nap, go to bed early, and step away a steady diet of scary news. Those things are still awesome.
3) With the controversy swirling around masks/ not masks; vaccines/ not vaccines…I’ve realized that being kind is more important than being right.
4) Taking a little time early in the morning to read, meditate, or pray can help you crush anxious thoughts.
I’m not sure if faith is a big deal in your life or not. For me it is. Here’s why.
36 years ago during a devastating family crisis, my world felt out of control. It was impossible to focus at work, and I was dangerously close to a major breakdown. One morning, in the midst of the painful chaos, I cried out with a desperate prayer. “Jesus, I don’t know if you are real or not; but if you are I need you. I can’t do this by myself anymore. Please come into my life.” And He did.
I wish I could tell you the family train wreck suddenly vanished, but that’s not how it worked out. What did happen was pretty miraculous, though. I realized there were people who wanted to help me, and that I was not alone.
If you’re feeling isolated right now, for whatever reason, I encourage you to reach out to someone. If you aren’t currently comfortable meeting face-to-face for coffee, give someone a phone or virtual call. Something life-giving and beautiful happens when we invite someone in to our pain.
And if you don’t have anyone to pray for you… I’m right here. ([email protected])
One of the simplest, yet most profound prayers I know comes from John Eldredge, “Jesus I give everyone and everything to You.” That pretty much covers it.
Jesus, I give everyone and everything to You. Amen.
It has been a little over a year since I loss my husband. I would like to say it has gotten easier, but seems that has gotten harder! Restart the new job on Monday I’m excited about it just wish I could call him tell him about it! My husband was in the nursing home for over three years, it is going to see him but since last year March I was not able too. But at least I could’ve talk to to him. Then he passed away in July. I have a close walk with the Lord and he helps me a lot! I guess sometimes I just think I need to talk to someone that is going through the same thing I am going through, not to try to fixed me, but just some one to talk too.
Hi Deborah- I’m so very sorry to hear about the deep pain you’re experiencing since your husband’s death. Last year was one of the hardest times our world ever faced, especially for those who couldn’t be with dear loved ones in their final days.
One of the best resources available, especially for people of strong faith is Nothingiswasted.com. The community link on their site offers compassionate online community groups- with people who understand what you’re going through.
The founder, Davey Blackburn experienced the tragic death of his wife when they were both in their early thirties. Over the past several years, he created Nothing is Wasted to help others find support, and to know they are not alone.
I wish you all the best with your new job, and pray the Lord will continue to hold you close today and in the season ahead. Grace and peace, Beth