Jesus looked at them carefully and said, “It’s impossible with human beings, but not with God. All things are possible for God.” Mark 10:27
This past week while checking in with a friend, she casually commented that living in a pandemic was harder than living as a 10-year-old girl in England during WWII. I wondered how that could be, so I began to ask her some questions, and our conversation began.
As a 10-year-old, she was able to still go to school and to go outside and to do her normal daily living with minimal disruption. All she had to do, was to remember her gas mask and take it with her wherever she went. As a member in a high-risk category during this pandemic, she has more restrictions. She isn’t able to leave her home except for necessary trips and when she does, she may forget to bring her mask with her. I asked her why she thought she had trouble remembering her mask and she chuckled, “old age”.
During the day she and her family hunkered down in their homes mostly and played games together, not unlike what we have been doing. It gave her family a time to reconnect and find joy in other ways. When night came, her family would move into their bomb shelter equipped with a stove to keep them warm. The bomb warden would patrol the area and check in with each family within the community and make sure that everyone was ok.
Our conversation then moved to how her faith has played a role during these two times. I asked her where she saw God during this pandemic. She responded emphatically, “Right here in my front room.” She says she talks out loud to God daily. As a child she remembers her family praying to keep them safe from the air raids, but she feels as she has grown up her life experiences have deepened her trust in God and she believes that God is with her at all times and that gives her companionship in these times of isolation and strength to endure what is difficult during this pandemic.
So, what is the takeaway from my conversation?
- We need to be like the English bomb warden and check in on each other regularly and see how they are doing.
- We as a people have faced tough times in the past and have endured.
- Although at times it feels like we will not get through this, I know we will because all things are possible with God.
Dear God,
These times can be difficult and can feel like it is impossible to keep positive and endure. When times are hard it can be easy to slip into complaining mode and forget that with You, we will be able to continue because You make things possible. Thank you for the gift of story to remind us that with You we can endure when the going gets rough.
Amen
Many blessings to you all,
Marty