How can it be Easter Week? Easter seems so far long ago. Ministers are preparing g for the Sunday after when a lot of folk give themselves the Sunday off. Many ministers also take the Sunday away because of the General Lenten/Holy Week Fatigue Syndrome.
And in case some folk think that a Stay Home Sunday is any less tiring for the minister, often the arrangements for that are even more complex. Keeping in touch with the vulnerable folk. Praying for all the people who are ill. Trying not to get ill themselves.
This week for my husband John, Rev.Dr. John, has been filled with things yet to be accomplished. Then he let me know he got bitten by a dog. Geeze really? He didn’t need that. He knows the dog and the owners and can find out for sure the dog has had his shots. I don’t want to contemplate what’s next if he hasn’t. *prayer request.
But if you were one of Jesus’ followers this must have been a confusing and faith challenging week. You have reports of Jesus out of the tomb, of people seeing him and meeting him and eating with him. You may even have been one of he ones he appeared to and so you’ve got convince everyone else what you encountered. It was a new beginning. It was a whole new job description. What did you sign up for anyway?
But we live in an age of COVID-19. It I even pops up if you write the first two letters. We live in a stay at home time. But some folk aren’t. We live in a time when we don’t know without testing who has the virus and who doesn’t. How long does immunity last if you do get it? If you do get it and survive. What do you do? Which set of treatments are prescribed by Your local hospital. Is it the same as in PA? Or CA, or WA, Or other? And which one works best. And are they really the same virus? Or are there more than one strains… AGGGGGHHHH. Oh God help.
And basically that is our prayer these days. O God help us and all involved with healing the sick. Help us not to die. (Just saying) and help us to be of service. And help us not fear. Because that won’t help. That one is even harder than remembering to put on a mask.
I get to FaceTime now and then with my family. That is great. We look like the Brady bunch in the boxes at the opening. Looking around. They are even all on their phones in the house. Uh oops wait…they didn’t have cell phones when little ones are growing up.
It’s time to get some sleep.
God abides and for that i am ever grateful.
Bobbie Giltz McGarey 04.16.2020 Scottsdale AZ
The Spirit Will Tell You 