I noticed something this week. Every advertiser has been commiserating with their audience. They all use a flavor of words that talk to us about “trying times” or “we’re in this together” or some such phrase. It’s as if they are trying to calm the panic found on so many fronts during times like these.
How do you cope?
In times like these, do you feel depressed, isolated, fearful, sad, angry, or do you simply want to dig deeper and hide farther away?
My bride was entering retirement when all of this popped up. We planned a week away at a resort in February, her first week off. Then we both got sick. Today, we wonder if it wasn’t the start of the COVID-19 that affected us, but I’m sure it was a typical winter cold – though it was stronger than normal. Then, we took a month off to travel to Texas on purpose, this time, to be around family that we’ve only been around during tragedy.
We cut the trip short. COVID-19 was isolating us from normal life, and we felt the urgency to be home. Just in case, you know. Along the way, we layered up with Dr. Purell at every stop. One hotel, in fact, the entire town, closed up, and we had to drive further to get to the next possible stopping place. Food was drive-thru or take-out only.
We never felt more relieved to be home than we did last March.
How Do You Handle These Times?
It’s been strange and strained to adjust to this new, temporary normal. My last face-to-face time with my church was nearly 2 months ago! Yikes! No wonder the stress of missing my church family weighs heavily on my mind!
I realize we are missing faces, but through technology, we can stay connected via social media. But it’s not the same. No hugs, high-fives, or simple greeting!
The new normal in times like these is not to feel so isolated! But that's exactly what is happening. I feel more connected to strangers at the grocery store than I do to my church or natural family! Click To TweetAfter all, I see more people face-to-face pumping gas than I do through church service! Come on! How do we handle these times? This cannot be the new normal! We will not find this acceptable! At least, for a few more weeks or so!
Early morning, normal for me, and my mind slips into high gear. Past cruise control, Racing through a series of turns, hills, and valleys. Suddenly, a series of songs started slipping through the cracks of my mind.
Songs of the Morning
I woke up this morning feeling fine I woke up with heaven on my mind
I woke up with joy in my soul cause I knew my Lord had control
I knew I was walkin’ in the light cause I’d been on my knees in the night
And I’d pray till the Lord gave a sign and now I’m feeling mighty fine!
~Mosie Lister
Then another song slips into the playlist.
Where do I go when there’s nobody else to turn to?
Who do I talk to when nobody wants to listen?
Who do I lean on when there’s no foundation stable?
I go to the rock, I know he’s able, I go to the rock!
I go to the rock for my salvation
I go to the stone that the builders rejected
I run to the mountain and the mountain stands by me
When the Earth all around me is sinking sand
On Christ, the solid rock I stand
When I need a shelter, when I need a friend, I go to the rock!
~Dottie Rambo
I’ve been bouncing between these two songs, and then thinking of other songs by snippets and sounds.
He healed the broken-hearted and set the captive free,
He made the lame to walk again and caused the blind to see.
He’s able, He’s able, I know my God is able!
I know my Lord is able to carry me through!
~Paul E. Paino
How About You?
How about you? What songs see you through your crisis of isolation?
When I’m down: “I need thee, o, I need thee. Every hour I need thee. Bless me now, my savior, I come to thee!”
If you’re facing stressful times: “There will be peace in the valley for me! Some day. There will be peace in the valley, I pray. There’ll be no more sadness. No sorrow. No trouble, I see! There will be peace in the valley for me!”
When times are tough: “In times like these, you need a savior. In times like these, you need an anchor. Be very sure. Be very sure. Your anchor holds and grips that solid rock. That rock is Jesus. Yes, he’s the one! That rock is Jesus. The only one. Be very sure. Be very sure. Your anchor holds! And grips that Solid Rock!”
Will you take a moment and share
what songs you sing, or remember,
that help you through your troubled times.
We will each have a different list or memory.
Yours may just be the one that will help someone today.