New Gratitude – Easter, 2020

I’ve been thinking about The Grinch a lot lately. How he tried to steal Christmas, but couldn’t. Seems like there’s been a new “Grinch” in town, taking a lot of what we had, (or thought we had).

As a civilization, we’ve lost much. People have lost their lives, or a loved one to COVID-19. To date, I haven’t suffered that kind of loss. And while I’m praying for those who have, and praying to be spared that kind of grief, I am celebrating that there are some things that cannot be taken from us, just like Cindy Lou Who and her Christmassy heart.

We’ve lost the ability to move about freely, and the no-trouble-at-all feeling that we had when someone in our household said, “We’re almost out of toilet paper,” because we knew that the closest grocery store would have plenty on the shelf.

We’ve lost the feeling of confidence in our plans – the belief that we could put something on the calendar and it would stick, and be accomplishable. Many have lost or modified or postponed the wedding, graduation, prom, the “you-name-it” they’d been hoping and planning for. I am comforted knowing that the reasons for the celebrations haven’t been lost: Marriage, Learning, Growth – those things remain. Still, it is a difficult and emotional time for many, including many who are dear to me.

We’ve lost the amazing feeling of hugs, pats on the back and friendly handshakes, of laughing out loud in person with our people, gathering around tables for meals and games or in larger groups for concerts, movies, meetings, parties.

We’ve lost the feeling of being in control. Or maybe we’re coming to the realization that we were never in control – that it was just a myth. The amount of control we have now is not that different than the control we had “way back when” – in February. Only now, we understand the truth about it.

We lost the ability to over-schedule ourselves, and run at the blistering pace to which we were conditioned. At first, all the staying-at-home made me feel anxious. Now I’ve gained an appreciation for the slower pace, the time to breathe and decide what I really want to do, the time to allow a conversation to progress at its own pace.

Other things we’ve gained: Waking up naturally. More time at home to clean and organize the closets or, in my case, realize that I apparently just don’t need orderly closets. We have gained time for exercising and preparing meals, and time to sit with our feelings and anxieties long enough to process them. We have a new appreciation and support for local businesses that we are hoping can hold on long enough to still be here “after.” More time for puzzles and reading and creating. Now it feels as though running a simple errand is a big moment. We feel and express more gratitude and understanding for healthcare professionals and teachers.

So while we’ve watched the Grinch take so many things away, we gained some new things as a result of knowing we really are all in this together. There’s extra grace and patience and understanding. A new gentleness, a new way of approaching every conversation and relationship with care, because we now understand the truth that, on any given day, we might all be struggling with something. We still have many blessings that can’t be lost. And we have some new ones as a result of our shared experience – Perspective, Innovation, Generosity, Gentleness.

And Easter. The Grinch couldn’t touch it. Sure, it was like never before, but it was like. never. before.

I don’t know when we’ll arrive at a “new normal,” but as I wait for that, I am learning these lessons in the “now normal:”

Hurry less.
Pray like my life depends on it.
Keep my eyes on Christ.
Maintain a posture of humility.
Hold tightly to the things that truly matter. Loosen my grip on the things that don’t.
Offer Grace – and space – to myself and everyone I know.

Life is short, but God is not. He has the long view. Nothing is uncertain for Him. When I am fully and truly relying on him, I can be certain; I can feel secure.

Listen, those of you who are boasting, “Today or tomorrow we’ll go to another city and spend some time and go into business and make heaps of profit!” But you don’t have a clue what tomorrow may bring. For your fleeting life is but a warm breath of air that is visible in the cold only for a moment and then vanishes! Instead you should say, “Our tomorrows are in the Lord’s hands and if he is willing we will live life to its fullest and do this or that.” James 4:13-15 (The Passion Translation)

It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. Luke 6:48