Winter in Spring

I don’t know a person who hasn’t been affected by the Covid-19 outbreak over the last few months. For some, the changes have been exponentially painful. Death, grief, job loss, and financial stress. For others, the changes have occurred more below the surface. Adjusting to homeschooling, working from home, more time with family, routines interrupted, and confinement.

Yet, in the midst of this suffering and all the changes, we have been given an opportunity to see life and family in a whole new way.

Parents, by teaching their kids at home, are gaining a greater appreciation for teachers.

Spouses are forced to interact more within the home environment.

Christians are looking forward to the church doors opening and the fellowship that will come with it.

Catholic Christians are faced with questions that they have stuffed for years, specifically pertaining to the Eucharist, and are welcomed into a whole deeper meaning of Faith.

Americans are humbled by those workers they normally pass by, realizing their need for others.

Engaged couples are setting aside their dreams of a fancy wedding and embracing the real meaning of marriage.

All of us, both children and adults, have had our lives turned upside down. Recently, I put on a mask and gloves and drove to Target, knowing I would feel so much better once I did. Yet, the moment I walked in the store, I was disappointed. I didn’t need any more clothes or kitchen supplies. So, I bought a few things I did need and left. One of my favorite pastimes, wandering the aisles of Target, doesn’t “satisfy” me anymore. I guess I’ve learned something in the last several weeks…

While this outbreak hasn’t changed a whole lot visibly in my life (I am used to working from home most days, I can already go quite awhile without physically seeing anyone, and I still can pray in a Church everyday), I have been forced to revisit longstanding beliefs on specific things.

This, too, shall pass. Just like Hurricane Katrina, just like the BP Oil Spill, just like the 1918 Pandemic- at some point, if we are called to see another day, we will wake up to a world in which stores are open, the market provides consistent security, and restaurants are seating customers. And although our world will never be the same as it was before December 2019, it will look relatively familiar.

But, will you be the same? Hopefully, you’ll have grown; you’ll be kinder to your spouse, more available to your kids, friendlier to workers, thankful for lunch outings with your friends, more appreciative of your job, and more faithful to God. In the meantime, how are you going to get there?

🎶 "Like the frost on a rose

Winter comes for us all Oh how nature acquaints us With the nature of patience Like a seed in the snow I've been buried to grow For Your promise is loyal From seed to sequoia." 🎶