Coronavirus Wonderings...Wanderings?

We are living in uncertain and troublous times!  I wonder what the future holds? I don’t believe when I posted my last blog about a month ago that I had even heard the word “coronavirus”. Now I don’t think most of us can carry on a conversation without the word!  It is all we hear in the news, and all we seem to be able to talk about right now.

You may wonder how corona virus has affected things here on campus.  After our academy principal counseled with the parents, all the academy students went back to their homes last Monday and plan to start on line classes tomorrow.  The college students are still here— quarantined on campus with us.  Many of them live in places like CA and NY and we all felt in might be better for them to “stay put” for now.

Our daughter, Hannah, went to Guam to visit her boyfriend about the time corona virus was coming more into focus.  After just being there 2 weeks she decided to come home early last Thursday. After being in 5 different airplanes and 36 hours of flights and airports we are so thankful for her safe arrival home.  She is “quarantined” over in our old dean’s apartment for the next 2 weeks and we tease that she is our little “zoo creature” that we take food to and look at throughout the glass!

I am doing well, but basically have quarantined myself as I don’t believe it would be a good thing to get the virus with my ALS. I’m so thankful for our campus being in the country, but it seems that corona virus can sneak in almost anywhere. I wonder... is there anywhere on the globe where there is peace and safety?

On a group text with my siblings last week we were texting all about the virus and sharing links about it with each other, after a while, I said: “One thing I know for sure, in order to maintain any level of peace, we probably need to stay off the internet and news as much as possible and into His Word.  It’s easy for me to lose my peace and grow fearful whenever I focus on it very much!”

But in light of the ever increasing pandemic, how do we stay focused and peaceful? I was reading in Matthew 18 about the great Shepherd loosing one of his 100 sheep. I don’t believe “Lamby” was being rebellious in wandering off, just careless, but he must’ve been awfully scared when he realized he was alone, possibly trapped and hurt. Sometimes I may worry myself out of the safety of His presence, not willfully, just by getting distracted with the troubles in this old world (corona virus??). I may find myself stuck in my thoughts of fear, with panic setting in. Then...Hark! I hear my Shepherd’s loving call, relief washes over me as He finds me, tenderly lifts me and speaks words of love and peace as He brings me back to focus and fellowship with Him.

During these times of uncertainty, within and without, we must not take our eyes off our Shepherd and wander off to panic by ourselves. Here is an amazing quote that helps to put it in perspective:

“There are many who become restless when they cannot know the definite outcome of affairs.  They cannot endure uncertainty, and in their impatience they refuse to wait to see the salvation of God. Apprehended evils drive them nearly distracted.  They give way to their rebellious feelings, and run hither and thither in passionate grief, seeking intelligence concerning that which has not been revealed.  If they would but trust in God, and watch unto prayer, they should find divine consolation. Their spirit would be calmed by communion with God. The weary and the heavy-laden would find rest unto their souls if they would only go to Jesus.” Patriarchs and Prophets p. 687

When we find ourselves wandering “out in the cold” with questions and fear, we can know that He is there seeking and calling our name to bring us back. Let’s not let the “wonderings” about the unknown make us wander from His Presence— the ONLY place where there is peace and security.

His sheep🐑 am I. Baa-aa for now.😄