In the midst of the Covid-19 epidemic, I’ve texted or called to check in on members of our office staff periodically. Usually our conversations are centered around the negative parts of quarantine, the rising and uncertain infection statistics, and when (if ever) it will be safe again to return to “normal life”. Not necessarily uplifting topics and conversations. Added to this, the constant misinformation and politicizing of the data provided by the media has made it very trying for me to understand, let alone to help others understand, what’s really happening with the epidemic. Because of this, I had become very discouraged about the situation both in a broad sense (politically) and personally (work, finances, etc). However, a text I received from Dr. Daena Wilds changed all that.
Redirect is defined by Merriam-Webster as “to change the course or direction.” That’s what her text did for me in regards to my outlook on the current situation. In her response to me checking in by text, she quickly commented how enjoyable her time in quarantine had been spending time and growing her relationship with her teenage son. I know it didn’t seem like anything profound to her except an honest answer to my question, but it totally punched me in the gut. Could I say the same thing about my time in quarantine with my kids? Over the following days, I prayed my attitude and outlook would move away from discouraged cynicism to the truths of the promised hope I claimed to believe.
Finding the good in the bad (or as grandma would say, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade”) is not always easy; in fact it’s a whole lot easier to not see it. But Daena’s text reminded me that God will make good out of all of this. I was redirected to Romans 8, where we hear of God redeeming all the bad into good; where virtue conquers vice and our hope is completed. I needed reminded of this promised hope. Although there are still times of frustration (seriously, between homeschooling and media misrepresentation of statistics!), my attitude is definitely better and it’s all because a simple text provided some much needed redirection. Thanks, Daena!
“For I know the plans I have for you,”says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope”, Jer 29:11 (NLT).
