That is a beautiful positive.
This has been the normal routine lately. Finding what I call a beautiful positive and focusing on that in the midst of all of this.
I don't have to go into great detail as to what "all of this" is. We all have experienced it to some degree in some way and some how. At the least we have been uncomfortable. At the worst we have been depressed. And between the two are a wide array of feelings and emotions and whatever else one wants to call the nasty.
I think it can all be summed up in one word though.
Loss.
For all of us it's the loss of normalcy, which in word can be cheapened, but it is loss all the same. And y'all...it's hard. For us adults it's not only hard but it's hard to explain to the ones we are raising and mentoring. It's hard to explain because of another loss...the loss of answers. We don't know the other end of the "what ifs...", but then again have we ever known and just now in this time it's becoming all too clear.
Seniors have lost their final high school memories. Coaches and players have lost seasons. Some students have lost perhaps the only peace they know in the comfort of a teacher's care and a school's providence.
Engaged couples have lost the excitement of celebrations and had to move their wedding dates. Families have lost travel plans and vacations for which they spent months planning and saving. Celebrations of life are now limited to gravesides for fifteen minutes, causing some to lose the chance to say goodbye.
Some have lost jobs. Some have lost financial security. Many have lost trust and confidence and doubt is creeping in. There are even some more than likely on the brink of losing sanity.
And then of course many have lost their health and safety, and most tragically some have even lost life. There are no words.
All of us have experienced loss in some way to some degree. There should be no comparison. Let's stop with the judgement. We all need to allow space for the loss of whatever it is to be grieved and the feelings that are there to be felt. Just like almost all things in life, everything concerning this time in our lives and history isn't black and white...there is so much grey.
During my quiet and meditation time this weekend He keeps placing one thing repeatedly on my heart...
"Whatever you know to be true..."
Jesus.
That is what is true. Really the only thing that is true.
I have been asking myself from the beginning of all this, what would He do?
The other night I was social distance visiting outside with a couple of friends. Another friend joined us briefly and he mentioned I looked a bit tired and stressed. He took me by surprise when he reached out and hugged me. That is exactly what this extrovert who speaks love with physical touch needed.
And I immediately thought, that is exactly what Jesus would do.
Jesus would hug those that needed hugging without reservation. He was known for touching lepers and people who had some pretty nasty germs back in the day, you know. By the way, it wasn't socially acceptable either. I don't think He would be any different today.
But you know what else. Jesus would wear a mask, too. If that made someone feel loved and cared for, He'd wear a mask. He brought people down from trees and went to their houses so they would be comfortable. He met with people in the dead of night so they would feel safe. He went to bedsides and graves to heal and to raise. He even gave the promise of heaven to a trouble maker while they were dying on crosses.
So what would He do? He would do what ever is needed to be done for those that He loves. He would give a hug or make a visit. He would wear a mask and practice social distancing. And He would do all the other things that fall somewhere between.
The rain continues to be a beautiful positive as it's now joined with the loud crashes of thunder and the flashes of lightning. We view today's weather in human eyes and think of this being such a sad and imperfect day to celebrate Easter. If the quarantines and isolation weren't enough, throw in the nasty weather and it's about as imperfect as you can get.
But what if that Sunday morning so many many years ago was rainy and nasty, much like today. Would that have changed anything? No not at all.
A beautiful sky, green grass, eggs and a bunny, and the fancy clothes...those things don't make for a perfect Easter.
The only perfection ever needed is alive and well and continues to be the answer to all the unanswered questions, the hope for every doubt, and the love for everyone who has loss.
Jesus.
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