Survivors Guide to the New Normal

Prior to this coronavirus Pandemic, I had a pretty balanced rhythm to my life.  I tried to be in asleep by 10:30 PM and awake by 7::00 AM. I always began each day with my devotional time.  As a writer my mornings were always spent on my laptop in the family room.  My afternoon routine varied by the day.  Monday afternoon I would spend time with our grandson, Daniel, who was always with us for the day.  Tuesdays and Thursdays were set aside for hospital visitations for the chaplaincy service.  Wednesday afternoon was when I spent time at DFW Airport serving as an ambassador (Terminal C-Gate 12).  Friday afternoon was when I spent time at the library reading periodicals and doing research.  Saturdays were set aside for chores and Sundays were set aside for worship and reading the Dallas Morning News.  Yes, I watched sports, but usually I had it on more for background noise. 

The shelter at home order as changed all that.  I cannot visit the hospitals and the ambassador program has been suspended.  The library is closed and I cannot even spend time writing at my local Starbucks.  Instead of Sunday morning fellowship, I am watching worship online.  Even our time with Daniel is on hold until this virus thing goes away.  I have had to make some major adjustments but overall, I am doing okay. 

If you are struggling, I do have three suggestions.

Stay spiritually focused: I am spending more time in The Word each morning.  I am also enjoying the morning online devotions with my pastor.  At this point my main connection with my brothers and sisters in Christ is via chatbox.  I have made it a practice to select an appropriate scripture verse each day and commit it to memory.  I try to use that verse as a touch-point throughout the day.

Have an agenda:  I have always functioned better when I have a list.  When I head to Ace Hardware I have a list of the items I need, so I do not get distracted by the tempting displays throughout the store.  On Saturdays I always have a list of the chores so I stay on task.  Now I am writing down the things I plan or need to accomplish each at the end of my devotional time.  I even list the menial tasks like, doing the wash and taking out the trash.  I find a sense of satisfaction when I reach the end of the day and look at my list and see all the check marks.

Stay Connected: Communication is definitely different in the world of “social distancing” and “shelter in place” orders.  I have to remind myself that we are blessed to be going through this experience at such a time as this.  I have learned the value of Facetime and Zoom conferencing   But even talking to friends on the phone is not a substitute for the face-to-face conversations I so long for.  I am a walker, but I have changed my routine.  Instead using the walking path by my house, I am walking the neighborhood.  I try to walk in late afternoon and early evening.  I do find people working in their yards and playing with their kids.  I am developing some new relationships with the folks in my community. 

I am confident that this current situation will pass.  Until, then I accept that it is what it is.  I am still God’s child, just living in a land that is very foreign.  Carry on, my friends.

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Rocking through the New Normal

This is day fourteen of our self-isolation.  Other than my daily afternoon walk, I have only left the house on two occasions; to pick up family at the airport and to go to Ace Hardware for a couple of household items (don’t worry they delivered them to my car).  I am getting a lot of writing done and have spent the evenings doing lots of reading.  Other than the 5:30 national news, I have watched very little TV.  Oh, and I have added so new terms to my vocabulary; self-distancing, pre-existing conditions, self-isolation and Zoom Conferencing. 

I am also spending more than my usual time in God’s Word.  One Psalm in particular has brought me hope.

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.

From the ends of the earth I call to you,

I call as my heart grows faint:

Lead me to a rock that is higher than I.

For you have been my refuge; a strong tower against the foe.

I long to dwell in your tent forever and

take refuge in the shelter of your wings.

Psalm 61: 1-4

While this is a new experience for me, as it is for all of us, God’s track record with plagues and pestilence is pretty good.  He has always delivered his people and kept them safe.  Jesus sacrifice on the cross provides victory over death, so what’s a little Coronavirus.  
His Resurrection victory provides me with the hope I need to live courageously even when I am confined to the house.  I am standing on “a rock” that is stronger that any virus. 

Cuddling with Jesus

God put those words in my heart this morning.  They seem to be appropriate for this time.  Like the rest of the country, I am limiting my contact with other people and taking all the recommended precautions.  I guess Barb and I fall into the “high risk” group.  We are both over seventy and both have “underlying physical conditions.”  While my overall health is good, I am a diabetic.  So I am hunkered down at home.  That means doing a lot of reading and working on latest book.  Who knows, if this goes on for a couple of weeks I might even get the manuscript done ahead of my schedule.

I still am amazed at how different my life is from that a week ago.  My hospital visits are on hold, and we will go to church online tomorrow, instead of gathering with a couple hundred of our closest friends.  With no sports on TV I am enjoying many of my old CD’s I had stashed away in the closet.  I have stopped listening to the news because it is pretty much the “same song, next verse.”  When I need an update, I can find it online and focus on what I need to know, not more doom and gloom.  I am wondering if God just decided we all needed an extended “time out.”

Paul’s words above help me keep things in perspective.  He has things under control.  If he has already defeated sin, death and the devil, why should I be afraid of some “stinking virus?”  I just need to continue to love those around me from a distance and use good judgment.  I sense Jesus wants me to draw close and cuddle with Him.  I pray you might do the same. 

Reflections on another Birthday

I celebrated my 74^th Birthday last week.  I got a lot of greetings on Facebook and more than a few humorous cards.  I was blessed to be surrounded by family for dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, Babe’s Chicken.  I even wowed the crowd with my “chicken dance” as the wait staff sang in my honor.  (Rumor is there is a video of that somewhere).  I came away feeling blessed.  My health is good; I have a loving family and am Awesome God.

My celebration was put into perspective on Sunday evening.  Barb and I were invited to a surprise birthday party for our good friend Dr. Gary Schaper.  Gary’s wife and daughter had planned the event to celebrate his 80^th Birthday.  As we sat around visiting prior to dinner we discovered that two of the other men present were also celebrating their 80^th Birthdays this month as well. 

The encouraging thing for me was that even though Barb and I were the youngest couple present by at least five years, we were surrounded by youth, energy and vitality.  I am beginning to think that eighty is the new sixty-five.  Turning 65 and moving toward retirement can be energizing, but so can turning eighty and beginning a new decade. 

Granted, as I age there are some things that I can no longer do.  Staying awake past 10 PM is one of them.  I have also learned the value of a “power nap.”  But there are also a lot of things that I still can do.  And at seventy-four I can still not only stay active and involved but make plans for the future.  There are still projects that I want to take on and things I want to share through this blog.  There are also a lot of folks around me who do not know Jesus.  I can move forward knowing every day is a blessing and another gift from God.