There’s a time for everything in our lives, and many of us have taken that time for-granted, as though tomorrow will never come. Tomorrow has come, and it’s name is COVID-19. Others deny the scientific and medical facts about this devastating disease and practically dare that pandemic to infect them. Still others aren’t healthy enough to fight a germ they cannot see and are waiting to simply die, get this life over with. The fourth group are our heroes, the “front-line” medical staffs, policemen, firemen, and all of our service people of all kinds. Are they saving enough “down-time” to care for themselves and their families?
I am, as well as many Americans, part of the first group; I do realize that God is giving all of us time to be present in the lives of those we love, those we work with, and those who serve us day in and day out. Time is such a fleeting thing, but being forced to stay home should make all of us understand and cherish every moment we have with our loved ones. We have time to say, “I love you” and “Thank-you for all you do.” We have time to talk, read, write, cuddle, do puzzles, watch home movies, and take walks. We can hold our children and really get to know them as special gifts from God. And yes, we now have time to feel God’s presence in our lives, without all of the distractions that pull us away from being the loving beings He wants us to be.
In the quiet of my home, with only the occasional movement sounds of my cat and dog, I have realized the true gift of, “Be still and know that I am.” (Psalm 46:10) In my own life, I have slowed down considerably; many “super active” people are finding it hard to simply rest. If this deadly virus tells us anything, it should be a warning to us that the world is moving too fast. In stead of spending millions on war, we need to spend billions on medical equipment, supplies, and medicines. We do not know how much time God has given us, but rest assured, He wants us to slow down to care for others, to love them, and do whatever it takes to be our brothers’ keepers.
Americans have lost a lot of our communication skills in an effort to be the “top dog” in the world. Even the president of the United States has been humbled enough by this virus to finally say, “We need to stay home for another month.” It seems more government officials have now courageously said, “You cannot put the economy of this country ahead of the health of our citizens.” In times of dire circumstances and events, we do come together as one united country. Like many members of families, we may argue and from time to time, even fight among ourselves, but when push comes to shove, we pull up our sleeves, put our combined strengths together, and work for the betterment of every American, regardless of race, creed, or religion. That’s the America I have come to love and cherish.
So in this time of being transformed by God into a more loving and caring America, what are you doing with this gift of time? Are you caring for others or selfishly denying them your love? Can you feel the presence of God in your home as you spend more time together as a family? Are you finding ways to help America become, once again, a country that trusts in God? Are the words and meditations of your heart a blessing to God and His eternal Son, Jesus Christ?
I faithfully believe that God is not done with us yet. He’s given us the gift of time and love to be better than we were yesterday, better than this moment, and better for the future. Be thankful and sing praises to the Lord our God for He is our Rock and our Salvation. “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep. The Wrong shall fail, the Right prevail, with peace on earth, good-will to men!” (“Christmas Bells”-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow) May you be still in this moment and moments to come; may you know that I am. (Paraphrase of Psalm 46:10)
AnnaHartt
