COVID Comfort - Joy Still Comes in the Morning

If we're being honest, quarantine as an introvert isn't the most uncomfortable thing. I'm so comfortable being alone, working from home, with plenty of hobbies to keep me busy. As I took a moment to reflect on the weirdness of the world during this time, it was easy to see people in panic, living in fear, and craving comfort in things they could control. People are over-stocking on more food they can eat, hoarding household items, and jumping to social media for immediate connection. We've been re-acting in panic because we want some sense of control over an uncontrollable situation.

Like you, I've been sitting in my PJs for the past two weeks, on conference calls instead of being at client sites. Like you, I'm wondering how this all will play out. Like you, I'm hearing the rumors fueled by social media that this could get potentially worse. Like you, I've been looking at my investments, my retirement, and the businesses suffering that will hurt our economic growth in the long-run. Like you, I've had absolutely no clue what will happen next.

Yesterday, I was frustrated. After months of working 70 hour work weeks and weekends, I was supposed to be packing my bags to hop on an airplane. This week, it was my plan to be climbing Arches National Park and sleeping in a tent under the stars. I've had this trip planned for months, hoping for a week of relaxation, refreshment, and mental clarity.

Vacations, weddings, graduations, funerals, schools, and celebrations are being canceled. It's stressful and it's unexplainably frustrating. Some people still don't believe that this pandemic is "real" or will "effect" them. While yes, a global pandemic can be a bit of an... inconvenience to our lives and plans, if it doesn't affect you directly, be grateful.

The way I see it, we're doing our part as humans by being safe instead of sorry. We're staying home to help our fellow brothers and sisters, especially the elderly and immunocompromised.

Buffalo Bayou Park, Houston, TX

If the pandemic doesn't touch your life directly with sickness, you can still let it affect you. Instead of hiking a national park yesterday, I went to a local park. I watched a 5-year-old try and handle a grown golden retriever, with her parents encouraging her to keep him close. I watched a 30-year-old being taught by her boyfriend how to ride a bike for the first time. I watched people enjoy something so simple as fresh air.

While I was observing the life still going on around me, a song came through my headphones. The lyrics said "Joy still comes in the morning, Hope still walks with the hurting, If you're still alive and breathing, Praise the Lord. Don't stop dancing and dreaming, There's still Good News worth repeating.. So lift your head and keep singing 'Praise the Lord'". How fitting is that?

Though the world is shifting, the future is unknown, and some are suffering, there's still good news to be shared. There's still hope, there's still joy in our days, there's still something to dance about. How blessed are we to serve a God with a plan for our lives. How blessed are we to be given grace and healing through Him.

I encourage you to use this time of self-quarantine for self-reflection. I encourage you to have hope instead of fear. I encourage you to listen to music instead of listening to panic. I encourage you to check on one another. I encourage you to find connection intimately with one another in small gatherings and laughter. I fully believe we will get through this... because I believe in a God that will get us through.