In this moment of the nation clamoring for hand sanitizers, disinfectants and alcohol, this song “Give Me A Clean Heart” by Dr. Margaret Douroux has been on my mind. Here is it sung by gospel singer Le’Andria Johnson:
We have indeed been through a week where we have watched so many options for community, congregation and recreation go dark or have their offerings severely altered.
You can feel the sobriety of the moment. As I prowled the same aisles as my fellow shoppers on Tuesday of this week looking (in vain) for the same items: disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, antibacterial soap, alcohol….only to find the shelves in those areas hauntingly bare.
It felt like everyone in the store was creeping past each other in eerie silence…smiling weakly…trying not to get too close…or bump each other…or God forbid sneeze.
Periodically, you’d hear a frustrated staff member’s voice break through the silence:
“No, I’m sorry Ma’am. We don’t have any. We’ve been slammed and we are all out.”
I couldn’t help but think what a shock to the system all this is as we worry about 401Ks…or one’s elderly family members living alone or in assisted living…or college students whose semesters are being upended….or workers caring for our loved ones who cannot admit to being sick for fear of losing jobs….as the numbers of those infected and dying rise.
It is a deeply disappointing, frustrating and frightening moment.
Our family plan to travel to Disney World on Sunday has been canceled. My care for elderly loved ones has been altered. Many local events and gatherings have been canceled or made inaccessible by this virus.
Additionally, one realizes quite profoundly how much in our lives center on entertainment or recreational activities that are the financial lifeline for so many millions of people.
Yet, in this mind-boggling season of CAN’T, I want to offer some reminders of what we CAN DO. I promise you that there are opportunities all around us crying out for our attention.
Wake each morning and breathe…
Thank God for the wellness that exists in your own body…
Reach over and hug the loved ones in your home…or call or text or reach out via social media to someone that you are grateful to have in your life…
Stand up, feel your feet under the floor and be grateful that you can do so…
Spend some time in quiet praying for all those around the world afflicted with this coronavirus and /or severely constrained by it….
…And for all the OTHER things that you’d like covered in prayer today…
Make your morning meal/provision in gratitude….
Dress with gratitude and hope that you can move into your day and help your fellow humans have a good day in whatever capacity you can do that…
If you have more flexibility in your day, look around and consider what you might do:
Tidy your home…
Do some laundry…
Send out those cards you have been meaning to write…
Really work on all those piles, stacks and the clutter that has come from us living overstuffed lives filled with activity and busyness…
Organize those documents and work on that estate planning that we dread but is a necessary part of living…
Make a list of things you might need to pick up at the store easily and without anxiety…
Work on that crafting that you have been trying to get to…
Go through all those photos and make those photobooks for your kids that you have been promising…
Clean out your closet and prepare giveaways for local charities…
Reconnect with your spouse or partner in ways that matter…
Work on that contraption, gizmo, business plan, play, cookbook, website, photography project or research that has been churning in your gut…but you haven’t had time for…
Keep supporting local businesses, coffee spots and restaurants (with wipes and sanitizers in hand) — even if you have to carry out/do take-out…
And when you venture out:
Maybe do that yardwork or home improvement project you have been postponing…
Check on older neighbors or family members to see if they need anything…
Mail all those cards or letters at the post office…
Take that walk…
Volunteer somewhere in small numbers…
Read some of those books you have bought but haven’t gotten to yet…
Write a letter…write an article…write a book if you feel like it…
Go for a bike ride…
Be the prayer you need and pray with small groups of folks if your regular church services are unavailable…
And I am sure you have your own possibilities to add to this list…
Thus, if we move into this moment in consideration of WHAT WE CAN DO as opposed to what we cannot do, we will be in a better place to manage the moment and make use of this time to dig into the substance of our own lives.
Love yall and stay encouraged.
