As the pandemic wears on and continues to impact each of us in ways large and small, conversations are unfolding that likely would not have occurred a year or more ago. Whether we are eager to admit it or not, this nasty ever-morphing virus continues to touch many aspects of daily life with little indication of disappearing anytime soon.
Interesting enough, the things that we tried to ignore, or felt were too hard to talk about pre-pandemic, have only grown to haunt us even more than before. A few examples, in no particular order . . .
Death.
Sooner or later it will happen. To you. To me. Can’t prevent it. I can, however, be present with the heartbroken who grieve the passing of a loved one, or find themselves face-to-face with their own mortality.
Life-threatening illness.
Likely can’t prevent that either. I can, however, refuse to proselytize about the “if onlys.” “If only you had done this . . . if only you do this now . . . if only you do it this way [usually means my way], you will be fine.”
Job challenges and stresses.
Many people have examined their work situation only to acknowledge the high cost of staying with their present job. Long hours. Unfair wages. Little time for family, or self-care. And if the salary was good and there were lots of benefits, there was also little relief from the day-to-day pressure to produce. To quit and move on to something else isn’t always the answer. At the same time, what if taking that leap of faith will turn out to be the best choice you need to make?
Reliable child-care.
Not everyone has the wherewithal to work from home, however, many people who can at least try this approach have embraced the results. To not have to spend large amounts of money in this area can free up resources for other necessities. And then there’s the rewards of being with family. While this choice may mean a new and different kind of chaos, many consider this alternative a good one in light of the decreased availability of out-of-home child care—if they can even find it.
Food insecurity.
There are probably few issues that weigh more heavily on our hearts than the concern to provide nutritious food for our loved ones or ourselves. Scarcities, increased prices, and inconsistent supplies have played havoc with many families who struggle to get food on the table for the next meal, let alone the next day. Food banks work hard to keep with the increased demand. For the rest of us, maybe the best choice we could make is to share our pantry items or make a meal[s] to help sustain those who could have hardly imagined food insecurity would become part of their vocabulary..
Safe, affordable housing.
It’s no secret that safe, affordable housing is at a premium. Rent has sky-rocketed. And the cost of buying a home, new or established, has entered the stratosphere for many. While the market has cooled a bit with regard to new construction expenses, housing is still at a premium. There seems no immediate solution, easy or otherwise, to this concern. Maybe the best we can hope for is that landlords will keep increases as low as possible and builders will choose to construct simpler, more modest homes.
Access to quality health care.
As big a concern as any is what happens if we become ill, let alone have a major health crisis. For those blessed with good insurance and access to physicians, clinics, or hospitals, this may not be the one thing that causes you to break into a cold sweat when you awaken in the middle of the night. Nonetheless, there are many people who don’t have the luxury of choosing their doctor, maintaining regular health checkups, or dropping into a nearby pharmacy to fill a prescription. Like the issue of housing, there are no easy fixes with this concern. Maybe what we can do is be an advocate, offer transportation, or, when possible, provide financial resources to help ease the burden.
Freedom from worry of violence of all manner and form.
If there is one concern that hangs over many, it is the fear of being violated or on the receiving end of a seemingly endless stream of random acts of violence. Another complex issue with no solution in sight. Yet, what if you and I, in our own small way, could behave as peacemakers rather than contribute to the rage and division so prevalent in so many places? A smile, a wave, an encouragement extended to those we encounter may seem a minuscule gesture—until we see the impact kindness and compassion can have on the other person, regardless of their state in life.
Between you and me, there’s more than enough worry, frustration, anxiety, and resistance of all description to go around these days.
So, here’s a thought . . . What if the times we are living through are the greatest opportunity we will have during our moments on this Earth to be part of a loving solution rather than part of the problem. Pick any problem. Choose any action that will help lift us out of our personal and corporate darkness.
How? There’s no magic way out as we find ourselves amid a cacophony of pain and struggle. The truth is, the resolution of these concerns will involve time and hard work. On the other hand, what if we discover the healing and restoration we so desperately need could best be accomplished by each of us asking God what that means for us personally?
