Now What?

I don’t know about you, but this third wave of Covid-19 is just the cherry on top. Is there a word for pandemic fatigue? What about, displacement, job role change, pandemic caused relational stress plus military coup?

I know that I’m not alone. I’ve been hearing about the shifting job markets all over the world, the cultural and perspective changes related to priorities, and the high rates of suicide, depression, and of course covid-19.

I don’t have any answers. When this started, I thought it would be over in a few months, at least.

So how do we settle into a chronic uncertainty? How do I do that in the midst of knowing that I am safe, fed, and physically well, and our colleagues across the border do not have these same simple securities every day? (Thailand to Myanmar)

Pray more, give more, share more, self-care more?

My personality wants a 3-step plan for how to get through this. What I seem to be learning for myself, however, is that the answer is: strain for success less and connect more. With community, with friends, with the grief and the reality of painful situations, with my family, and with God. Not a beautiful perfect, 3 steps to happiness connection, but a presence together in the uncertainty and questions connection.

In the midst of the – world falling apart all around us news every day- how do YOU move towards hope?

Psalm 116

I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.

Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.

The cords of death entangled me,
the anguish of the grave came over me;
I was overcome by distress and sorrow.

Then I called on the name of the Lord:
“Lord, save me!”

The Lord is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion.

The Lord protects the unwary;
when I was brought low, he saved me.

Return to your rest, my soul,
for the Lord has been good to you.

For you, Lord, have delivered me from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,

that I may walk before the Lord
in the land of the living.

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