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Covid-19 Will Not Wreck Me-by Heidi McLaughlin

Posted: April 19, 2020

In the last month Amazon has run out of bread makers, we’ve pulled puzzles out of our closets and even stopped scoffing at paint by number projects. In my own family my granddaughter has taken to painting rocks, we’re learning German, canning pickles and there’s heated bread-baking competitions.

During this harshly imposed isolation I am left to live alone.  I’m an extrovert and I love being involved with people and events, and within a week all my speaking and travelling events were cancelled.  My calendar was wiped clean.  After gasping for air and realizing none of this was a joke I made a deliberate choice.

This Covid-19 would not wreck me.

• • First, I had to settle some truth and facts. In our family when there is an unexpected or unpleasant turn of events we use this phrase, “accept and allow.” To “accept” the Covid situation I had to be real with my emotions: This is shocking, I can’t believe it’s happening, I wish it would go away but it won’t, how will I handle the isolation? Then to  “allow” it I made a choice:  It is what it is, I can’t change it and I will use this as an opportunity to be creative and open my heart and mind to new possibilities. Once I made that choice my body relaxed and my heart and mind became an open door to hear God’s voice to guide me through the days.
• • Secondly, I had to remember where I place my hope. Was it in the stock market, my friends and family, my activities or my accomplishments? Was in the latest newscast or Covid update? I had to remind myself that my hope does not come from something; it comes from someone (thank you Scott Lanigan). That someone being Jesus Christ who is the hope of the world who said: “In this world you will have trouble but take heart, I’ve overcome the world” (John 16:33). Our “something” will break, disappoint us or leave us, but Jesus will always be there for us in the middle of our trouble and right into eternity.
• • Thirdly, make your bed. Ok that sounds strange but here is what Navy Seal Admiral William H. McRaven said: “If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.”[i] Starting each day by making our bed gives purpose, focus and helps us to do the next thing. During isolation we need purpose, some structure and routine. To do bigger things we need to start and be faithful with the small things and that will open the door to more.  With purpose comes energy, creativity and even passion and you won’t feel crushed.

Then do it one day at a time.

            Fourthly, do something radical. Along with a million other people I had to learn how to use Zoom and other online technology like playing Apples to Apples with my granddaughter. Through online connections I decided to teach some of my grandchildren German. I’m crocheting a crazy, funky blanket and calling it the 2020 Covid-19 Plague blanket.  I’ve had to ask for help figuring out new graphic design programs, produce my own video teachings and facilitate online Grief Share. Yes it can be stretching, but it’s growing me and keeping me from getting lonely, despondent and crushed.

Soon we’ll be back visiting with friends, eating in restaurants and we’ll look back and have stories for our next generation.  What will you tell them? I know I’ll be able to say: “Yes, Covid-19 was hard, but it did not wreck me. It gave me time and opportunity to get to know God better and to be creative and do wonderful and unusual things.”

 

 

 

 

 

[i] https://m.youtu.be/3sK3wJAxGfs

Posted in: accept and allow, adversity, all alone, alone, anxiety, ask for help, be creative, Christ, companionship, Covid-19, crisis, decisions, Encouragement, Expectations, Faith, Families, Finding Truth, friends, heart of God, homes, isolation, Jesus, loneliness, love, make your bed, Making Wise Choices, Overcoming Struggles, temporary, trouble, trust, trust Good, we need each other