We had just went to Toronto for the For King and Country Concert. Up until the day before we weren't too concerned. Yes there was a virus in China and Italy but nothing major here. It was just people travelling. So we traveled to Toronto that Friday morning a little concerned, but not too much.
I remember going up in the car and the news about this virus almost seem to be exploding. Places were being closed down. I was on a chat with other people going to this concert right up until an hour before waiting ( and hoping) it would be cancelled so we wouldn't have to make the decision. We decided to go and not take transit, stay in our seats during intermission and leave right away. That night at midnight almost all entertainment venues got closed.
We came home to a new reality.... one that we are all now facing and have been for one day short a month.
For us it means changes for the whole family. Since I last wrote, mom and dad now live with us. They took over Alicia and Brock's space. It didn't make sense for them to rent a whole house when we have all this space. Alicia and Brock own their own home ( thankfully just in Trenton) and Cory is living in a nice place in Belleville that has a 4 other people and where he can have his dog. We are used to seeing Alicia at least a few times a week for supper as Brock works nights. Cory usually would come on weekends or mid week for a night and stay. That is not happening now. I only get to see my kids for a moment in their driveways if I stop and take them things. ( my way of feeling like I am still taking care of them a bit)
Mom and dad now live with us. They shouldn't be going out at all. That is hard for them. It should be a time of getting ready for trailer but now cant do until this virus gets under control.
Paul has had to close shop right at the time that it gets the busiest. The shelter and second stage still have to be managed but differently. I am not able to just stay home but am thankful I am home more than not.
Anyhow.... life has changed and this Easter morning ,as we went for a walk ,we both had some thoughts. Thoughts that helped our hearts and we thought they may help yours too.
First, I am thankful this morning that we had time to walk together. That doesn't happen much when life is busier. We had just finished participating in a service over zoom with our church family. Another thing to be thankful for...connection.
It is a balmy 10 outside today. Another thing to be thankful for.
We decided to hike down the millennium trail, an old train track that has been made into a trail. We walked to one of my favorite spots in the woods. As we were walking I noticed how little shoots of green were becoming noticeable. That some trees have buds on them.
As we got into the woods we noticed that, although it seemed dark and dreary at spots, the further ahead we could see nice green space. As we walked closer to that space you gradually could see more green cropping up to the surface.
We thought this is like life right now..... and like our Easter Story.
It is dark .... lots of tangled messes around us to be seen....feels scary and doesn't look great. Its muddy and feels not so comfortable. Much like Good Friday and Silent Saturday that we were just reminded of.
Paul noticed the thorns right beside the nice new green buds. As the pictures shows we can focus on the thorns .....allow the darkness.... the constant news to permeate our hearts. I know for me that causes my anxiety to rise to whole new level. Maybe you are there.....it is hard not to be if you are an essential worker. I find the days I have to go to work, or even to the grocery store, harder each day not focusing on the dark. I think of my friend Gail who sent me a picture of her attire as a nurse on a cancer ward right now. Hard to not physically see the change and fear that this virus is causing when you are faced with it daily with mask and goggles on . My heart goes out to her and all the medical people on the very front lines. So I'm not saying it easy not to focus on the thorns , but I am saying that we can hopefully stop and refocus when life gets overwhelming.
What happens if we change the focus to the green shoots? The thorns are not gone, but they are blurry. Paul says it is called the depth of view.( He is so much smarter than me). Its where you place the focus in your life's picture.
I think of my friend Gail again, who said that after her shift on Friday night at the hospital ( and her birthday) she was able to put on the Chris Tomlin service on her phone and how it was the best part of her birthday. She allowed herself to hear from her God and rest her weary soul. That was her choice to take time after a dark day, a choice to refocus.
What green shoots can we focus on..... for us it is technology so we can stay connected, it is extra time for each other that we normally don't take. It is enough money to be okay and also thankful that I still have my job and a boss that is very understanding of her staff. That my parents are safe here with us.
Maybe for you it is quality time with kids, a safe home to stay in and enough food to get by. Maybe you are taking taking time to connect through technology, talk to some friends and families you haven't had time for. Many churches are offering services and special music to help us be reminded that God is still in control and we are not alone.
You see Easter reminds us of one very important thing.....hope..... we have hope because we have Christ who changed the focus. We have hope for a future, heaven where we won't have sickness and darkness because Jesus died for our sins and rose again allowing us the hope of eternity.
We have hope that as we continue this journey here on earth that we are never alone. My devotion this morning left this beautiful thought
"Hold my hand in deliberate dependence on me, I will smooth out the path before you."
That is what Jesus does for us. Smoothing the path may be giving you a peace in the midst of the chaos, helping you see the green newness and focusing our minds and hearts on hope.
It doesn't mean you still won't have some bad days.... I have had my share and am realistic that I will have more. But I know I can share honestly with others, go to God in prayer, listen to my music and allow the hope of Christ to fill my soul once again. We may need more and more times like this to stay steady for this time. I know I do.
The main point of this little talk.... we have hope. Like the picture showed, we may be in the darkness but there is green coming!
Keep praying for a vaccine. Keep praying for patience for those loved ones that you are isolated with, and the people you would like to be with( pray even for those you wouldn't want to be with).... keep the focus on the right things. We will come out of this, maybe with new perspectives and priorities for an even better life.
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