WE ARE WORKING FOR YOU … STAY HOME FOR US

What’s it like where you live? In America? Elsewhere in the world?

In less time

than it takes to say COVID-19, or spell “coronavirus” correctly, life has changed for all of us, Words lost to our vocabulary that are now on everyone’s lips. Who knew what pandemic, flattening the curve, social distancing, non-essential, self-quarantine, ventilators, to name just a few, truly meant? Some who are reading this may be trying to grasp what it all means to you personally and in general, but may not have anyone with whom you can ask the questions or tell your story. Feel free to write. I may not be able to answer your questions or feel your fears, but listening well is a gift, too. And sometimes it’s what we need the most.

I have been declared one of the world’s “vulnerable,” as are many of you. It’s not a great honor, mind you, since I happen to reside in one of the leading COVID-19 areas in the US. A coronavirus hotbed. However, I am one of the “fortunate vulnerables,” having lived the past year in a retirement community where I am served by caring and competent young workers and professionals who do not hesitate to tell me what is expected of me during this crisis season. Like the one pictured here holding a subtle, but important message. A reminder of similar messages I received in youth from my mother, later on from my wife, and more recently my daughter, that when translated always meant, Do this and you will live!

And so we do

since most all of the facilities(exercise, meeting and dining rooms, etc.) are shut down anyway. How much trouble can we get into? Meals are still prepared on request and delivered to one’s apartment, like hotel room service. Except not on a silver tray, but rather in a sanitized plastic container wrapped in a sanitized plastic bag, and by a young server who, if you see them at all after the doorbell rings, is wearing a protective mask.

Going to the grocery store, non-emergency medical procedures, (sadly even a visit to one’s favorite coffee shop) is not supposed to happen. Family and non-essential guests are not permitted to visit here, which is especially difficult for residents or visitors from outside who have a spouse or parent/grandparent in our assisted living and memory care wing. Independent living residents may leave the building through any exit door and go for a walk outdoors, but can only return via the main entrance checkpoint.

I recently recalled the “six-inch rule” at Central Bible Institute in Springfield, Missouri, where, as a seventeen-year-old, who had driven two thousand miles from home, I first began studies for the ministry. Young men were not permitted to be closer than six inches to female students. Today, in King County where I live, the “rule” is not six inches, but six feet. I ask you, is this progress? As you see, GAGE the wonder dog, is no better at the “six-foot separation mandate,” than we were with the “six-inch rule.”

If you happen to be in LOCKDOWN

somewhere in the world today,

L—isten to God’s voice and reflect.
O—bey His word and His teachings.
C—all on Jesus name and be calmed.
K—now what is the purpose of all this.
D—well in His presence. Do not panic.
O—ffer a prayer for everyone’s safety.
W—ait and be patient. This too shall passover.
N—uture our personal relationship with Him.