May 26th, 2020: Pray that We Will Be OK

 8tracks radio | we'll be okay (11 songs) | free and music playlist

Things that used to be normal now become precious. Things we used to do without much worry now we have to think twice about it. Nothing can be more troublesome than grandparents cannot come and visit their grand kids, friends can just gather for a meal or a drink, children cannot come and see their elderly parents in nursing homes, parents cannot come home and hug their kids because of their jobs, good friends cannot shake hands and embrace, families cannot go to ballparks and have fun together, ...there are so many things.

When we think about these unfortunate facts, what should we pray for?

Pray that we don't lose our humanity. We are created for community and family. When we lose that aspect of our life, we might lose more than we are aware of. Suddenly we become tenser and wonder what others might give to us and vice versa. Staying emotionally engaged while physically distancing is not an easy task. We can "zoom" as much as we like and that doesn't replace the needed human touch of a friend.

Pray that we don't allow the spirit of non-trusting to take over how we think and feel. When we do that, we don't have a sense of healthy connection with others. Being careful is one thing, being paranoid is another. Now we are called to practice discernment more than ever before. Being careless is also another form of non-trusting spirit that points toward the government and the authority.

Pray that we don't lose our " joie de vivre" because it takes a longer time to do anything and there is not much to do at the same time. Being flexible is key to have a healthy life because things can change so quickly. The joy we have now is not about being able to do what we love to do. It is about seeing our whole life as a series of precious moments that are being knitted together. Being flexible will help us to cherish one moment to the next.

I got a phone call from a friend whose house almost got flooded just a few days after they moved in. They had not even finished unpacking. Here was what he said to his wife: "First Covid-19, now the flood, I am so happy that we have one another. It will be ok."

Yes, things will be ok. God is still there.

James 1: 2-3
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."

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