Finding Faith

It's Hump Day!

Today is Day 23 of my period of "Coronavirus Isolation."  It's Wednesday of Holy Week, the first day of Passover.   So far today is a tough day.  I didn't sleep well last night, so I'm feeling crappy.   Add to that, my allergies are acting up.   I so want to crawl back into bed.  I may just do that.

Let's get to the fun stuff first...

Spring Sightings

Spring has definitely sprung!   It was in the mid-60's yesterday and was a perfect day for a walk.    The forsythia bushes are fully in bloom.  The local elementary school has hearts on their cafeteria windows and a sign that says, "Brunton students ROCK."  When it's just me and Leia walking, she's so good.  She walks right next to me (lower left) and is easily able to walk off leash when we aren't near cars (lower right).   I have really come to love our walks.

Project Update

On Sunday I started a garden from seeds.   So today is Day 4 of my garden and you can see the lettuce seeds just beginning to sprout in my peat pellets.  Kind of exciting!  The other seeds aren't showing any activity just yet.   (And still no progress on Mitch's room.)

Laundry:  The Joke's On Me

I think I figured out a solution to the laundry problem by changing my routine.  Instead of doing laundry every day, I decided to do it 2-3 days instead.  It means more laundry at one time, but I don't have it looking at me every day.   As of 12:00 p.m. today, one load is folded and put away, another is in the dryer and a third is in the washer waiting to be dried.  I just need to go and move it so I can finish it all.   Fingers crossed this will make the whole laundry scene less maddening to me.   (As long as Brian doesn't continue to deliver mystery laundry out of who knows where.)

Finding Faith

As Christians, the story of the crucifixion may have become a ritual part of our faith history.  We know the story of the Last Supper, Christ's betrayal, arrest and crucifixion.  It's a story that we retell every year at Easter.  It's a tradition.   Maybe we go to Mass or church; watch a movie about the life and death of Jesus; attend a Passion Play; and have a special family dinner.  (When I was growing up we always watched Charlton Heston as Moses in the 1956 film "The Ten Commandments" on Easter night.)  

This year I'm having a hard time with the idea that Easter is this Sunday.   This is Holy Week.   This is a time when we are supposed to gather together to remember and reflect the sacrifice of Jesus' death on the cross and to celebrate the triumphant miracle of his resurrection.  I'm just not feeling it.

This whole "THING," this Coronavirus "thing" has me feeling disconnected.   I miss Mitch.  I miss my parents.  I know I can talk to them on the phone and FaceTime them.  Facebook Live and Zoom have brought Church right into my living room.   But I miss the human interaction, the community.  All of "THIS" just seems so impersonal.

When was the last time you really thought about the story of Christ's death and resurrection and what it means to us today?  I've been reflecting on this all week and am reminded of the message Pastor Brian shared with us on Sunday.  Right before Jesus was betrayed and arrested, he went with his disciples to the garden of Gethsemane to pray.  While his disciples came with him to Gethsemane, they fell asleep, so he was alone.  Even though Jesus knew what was going to happen to him, he prayed to the Lord, "Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.  Yet not as I will, but as you will." (Matthew 26:39)  Three times he cried out to God.  But heaven was silent.

Today in-person interactions are pretty much off-limits, but we are able to stay in touch by phone, Facebook, Zoom or other "virtual platforms."  In spite of this many of us feel very much alone in the face of the we are experiencing in light of the Coronavirus Pandemic.   In the Garden of Gethsemane, despite the fact that his disciples were there with him, they kept falling asleep, so Jesus was all alone.   Whatever you are dealing with today, whether you have a loved one who is sick or who has died, or you've lost your job, or you just feel alone, maybe like Jesus, you have cried out to God for mercy and maybe you may feel like heaven is silent.  

Be encouraged.  Remember, there is hope.  Christ chose to die for us so we could know his presence.   So that we will not be forsaken.  Christ accepted his fate so that we could know the cup of salvation.  Psalm 116:13 says, "I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the Lord's name for saving me."   Jesus suffered so that we can be saved.   We do have to face trials on earth.  We are not saved from those.  But because of Jesus, we are not alone, we are not forsaken.

We can find faith in the darkness.

Seeking Smiles

The Coronavirus Pandemic has directly affected every one of us to some degree.  In the face of darkness and despair, it is so important to seek out the good in the world - whether near or far, surely there is light in the darkness.   If you haven't seen or heard of it, let me tell you one place you will surely find smiles.  John Krasinski started his own YouTube channel entitled Some Good News.

Some Good News with John Krasinski

The show features dozens of stories featuring good news across the world, from... 

• Salutes to healthcare workers across the world
• A flashback to The Office featuring an interview with Steve Carell
• Weather report from Robert Deniro 
• Reflections on how people are making up for the things we miss, like a trips to the salon, amusement park rides, getting your hair done and date night
• An incredible interview with young Aubrey who missed Hamilton because of the Coronavirus Epidemic including a surprise Zoom Bomb from the entire cast of Hamilton

He signs off with a reminder that, "No Matter How Dark It Gets, there is ALWAYS good in the world."  You must check it out - you will most definitely find some joy.

Today's Meditations

So now, O Lord our God, save us, please, so that all the earth may know that you, O Lord, are God alone.
2 Kings 19:19

Way Maker by Michael W. Smith

Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper, light in the darkness

My God, that is who you are

How are you and your family dealing with this pandemic?
Feel free to share your updates with me, either in the comments or by message.

My journey through the Coronavirus Pandemic:
Day 1:  Boo boo paw
Day 2:  Let the projects begin
Day 3:  A photo journal
Day 4:  Love wins
Finally Saturday:  It's starting to get to me
The Long Haul:  Be strong & courageous
Who Made the Clouds?  Day 7
Time Out:  Day 8
Fever, Cough & Shortness of Breath (Day 9)
May 4:   Days 10, 11 & 12
Koby Update: Day 13
Random Thoughts:  Day 20