This new season is not really how I envisioned myself prioritising my writing and blogging again but we can only make the best of our time and opportunities.
The last year has been a roller-coaster of action, inaction, work, trust, taking safe steps, taking risks, biting the bullet, asking for help, shifting things to make ends meet… the list goes on!
I won’t deny there have been moments where I have just wanted to hide and give up but equally, there have also been moments of inspiration and moments of growth that I wouldn’t change for anything.
God has been good to me and He has been good to my family and although progress seems to be slow at the best of time, things are moving forward and circumstances are changing all the time.
I don’t want to be mediocre and live a passive existence. I don’t want to just pay bills and do nothing else with my life and yet, this has been a season of discovery. In the quiet moments of despair, where I panic about what I’m doing and where I’m going – to the new projects that I have undertaken, I have learned to appreciate the day to day moments. The rest, the not knowing, the quality time, the silence, the busy. All of it counts and all of it has a role to play.
It still doesn’t take away the worries and doubts. The wondering of what’s coming around the corner, or even if any corner is coming our way in the near future and this brings me back to this new world crisis (COVID-19).
There seem to be such contrasting mixtures of emotions – from panic buying and leaving others even more vulnerable than they may already be; to burying our heads in the sand and pretending that what is happening to our countries, communities and economy is not relevant to us.
Either extreme gives us a clear indication of human nature. We’re incredibly selfish and self-important. If we’re not wiping the shelves clean in the supermarket, we’re going about our business with complete disregard for safety and common courtesy. We’re as quick to point fingers as we are to give advice that we’re not taking ourselves.
On the flip side, it has been so encouraging to see church leaders, every day people and even “celebrities” use social media as a platform to build each other up. There have been words of advice, digital social gatherings getting together to pray and encourage one another. Photos of people self-isolating and being creative with their daily routine (learning, loving and encouraging each other) despite the physical distancing needed in this time of the global pandemic.
There are groups of people, charities and social justice teams that are kick-starting and implementing initiatives to help their communities, those in their circle of influence, the vulnerable and the forgotten.
In the heart of all this, the incredible courage and resilience from our front line key workers have been phenomenal and humbling. They are going above and beyond the call of duty to help support our communities, our vulnerable and our future. Thank you so much for all that you’re doing.
I know in weeks, months and years to come, once we have overcome this virus, these heroes probably will be forgotten by the populace, but please don’t lose heart. You are being, have been and will always be the heart and soul of our country and though we will verbalise it less and less, there will be moments when we will remember and thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
So as one of my friends says: love from a distance. We are people and we do make mistakes but don’t let fear and panic, nor an inflated sense of self-worth waste the opportunity to be a good neighbour.
On a last note, we are fully capable of making wise and sound decisions. Please don’t make excuses for disregarding the advice given to us by our Government and don’t focus on the inconvenience this virus is bringing to your everyday life.
Be kind to each other. Trust God always. Stay safe.
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