March 23, 2020 – Observations and Thoughts…

Church from home. I love the creativity I’m seeing during this quarantine. Churches of all sizes are adapting and hosting services online. Ours is a small church, with a primarily older congregation, and it’s moved temporarily to online worship (via YouTube). They’ve even set up an option through Facebook to donate directly to them. This allows parishoners to give their offerings without having to mail or drive them to the church, which is discouraged right now anyway.

If you’re looking for a way to worship from home and your church doesn’t offer that service, check out ours: Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Highlands Ranch, CO.

Adapting to this public health crisis is similar to coping with a chonic illness. I’ve spent the past 10 years going to countless doctor, counseling, and physical therapy appointments, as well as innumberable hours spent praying and reading migraine forums, health websites, and scientfic papers. I’ve been able to build a toolbox for managing and adapting to chronic migraine with all the knowledge and coping skills I’ve gained this last decade.

A realization hit me today. The knowledge I’ve acquired about caring for myself, avoiding and coping with migraine, and the slow paradigm shift of “letting go and letting God” can help me get through this current unknown. Part of what I’ve learned suffering from a chronic illness is that I can’t focus on more than today, I need to breathe deeply each day, and I need to spend time in prayer and meditation with God. I exercise daily. I keep moving. I do something creative each day, whether it’s writing or creating art. And I have a vigilant focus on what goes into my body, as many foods and drinks are migraine triggers for me.

All of these slow shifts have prepared me for this. I am healthier, stronger, more capable and optimistic than I was a decade ago. God has been gracious to me; allowing me to grow in my weakness and suffering, making me stronger to be able to handle these new challenges. In His wisdom, He knows that when I am broken I cannot rely on my own skills and strength. I must give it up and rely soley on Him.

“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:10 ESV

#alonetogether #newnormal #thisiscoronalife #hopeinsuffering