The author of Common Sense (Thomas Paine) opened his article, "The American Crisis" with these words:
These are the times that try men's souls...
For each of us living through the pandemic, that could mean something specific or shared. We all experience the isolation of closed schools and offices, only curbside pickup at many stores, and the inability to sit inside our favorite restaurant. Then came the riots. Weeks of isolation prior to the incident that sparked these awful riots didn't help. I pray for this world and for peace.
Personally, the pandemic has meant the loss of my father-in-law to COVID-19 and the closing of one of my publishers affected by slowed book sales. One other sad moment, though not related to the pandemic, is our little country church going up for sale.
I knew it was coming, but as long as they didn't list it on MLS I could avoid thinking about it. The property went under contract in less than two weeks. That's no surprise considering the tight housing inventory. Our little church was a former barn, and it had a house where the pastor used to live. Both are now in disrepair considering how the current congregation neglected them after the original members left.
Some of my favorite memories at that little church include: my wedding day, celebrating the in-laws' 60th wedding anniversary, renewing our vows after 15 years of marriage, the many years of vacation Bible school the girls attended, and the many nights crafting for the annual Christmas bazaar. Oh, how much love and money people dumped into that little church can't be counted.
The only thing that makes the loss even remotely tolerable is knowing the original congregation consisted mostly of middle-age folks and senior citizens. Within the next 10 years, it would probably have closed, anyway.
This might sound trite, but in these things--the pandemic, the rioting, losing my father-in-law and our little church on the hill--God is present. He provides strength. He provides comfort. He will bring about justice--now or later. One can't always understand His ways. I sure don't.
- Why did over 100,000 people have to die so far? How many more will we lose?
- Why has the burden on parents increased by adding balancing homeschooling on top of providing for their families?
- Why did the tragic death of George Floyd and others need to turn into an additional loss of life and property?
- Why was a faithful group of believers separated from their place of worship?
There are days the answers to these and other questions require more than human understanding. Yes, we are living in trying times, but we can make a difference. We can work together to bring about solutions. We can pray for our country, its leaders, and those around the world. We can learn how to live a "you-first" life in a "me-first" world.
Each day, I try to be a better person. Some days I succeed. Other days, I fail so desperately I'm sure no hope exists for me. In the end, there is only one thing I know: Jesus purchased salvation for me no matter how unworthy I am. It is the salvation available to every one of us if we want it.
~ Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
~Romans 10: 8-13 (ESV)
