I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:19
All through history there have been defining moments when our 'normal' changed. The way the President of the United States is protected changed after the assassination of John F. Kennedy. The way that we travel changed with 9/11. And the security in our schools changed with Columbine. Normal was never normal, again. We are now living in a defining season. The most frustrating thing about this time is not knowing if, when, or how it will end. We can be pretty sure that it will end, but the truth is that things may never be normal again. We have embraced change before and we can embrace it again. But as much as I want to get back to normal, there are some things that I would be glad to see continued in a new normal.
I want us to keep checking on our friends a relatives. Eighteen percent of older Americans live alone and forty-three percent report feeling lonely on a regular basis. Even though these numbers only address persons 65 and older, over three out of five, over 60%, of Americans report feeling left out, poorly understood, and lacking companionship. I, personally need to communicate with someone everyday. We must continue to use all methods of technology to reach out to others.
And as we reach out to others, many of us are spending more time with our families than we usually do. We now have the time to get to know the people that we live with and spend more quality time with them. Children grow up quickly and we should enjoy each childhood moment with them.
We should definitely continue to embrace new technology. During this time I used Zoom for the first time and posted an online Sunday School lesson for the first time.With Zoom, Facebook, conference calls and other methods of communication this week I have attended six Bible Studies and worship services this week; compared to one or two per week before this crises.
We should continue to wash our hands and wipe down surfaces. We really don't need to make five trips to the store in one week when one or two will do. Some places have seen a reduction in pollution and an improvement in air quality in the last couple of months.
I would like the senior citizen shopping hours to continue. I enjoyed the early morning hour. The stores were at their cleanest and well stocked. And there were plenty of store employees to assist us and answer questions.
More public school options should continue. Students who are sick, as well as those who are suspended, or out of school for any reason should have the opportunity for virtual learning. Some school divisions are even preparing to get laptops and hot-spots to their students who don't already have access.
Free or reduced price child care, with extended hours, should continue to be offered to the people on the front lines. And those persons should be able to make a living wage with hazard pay. Some companies have already announced this and the others should follow suit.
And above all, we need to continue to pray for, encourage, and help each other. It's time for us to come together and realize that we are all a part of the human race and that we are more alike than are different.School divisions and restaurants are giving out free meals. Some accommodations have been made for the people experiencing homelessness. And we must realize that what's happening to our brother or sister today, could happen to us tomorrow.
This is the New Normal. The world has changed and we don't know whether it will ever be the way it was before. So we must adjust and keep living. It's time to stay in and only go out when we have to. Don't listen to the conspiracy theories, listen to the Word of the Lord. Be still and see the salvation of the Lord!