This week, Vista Springs was put on 'lockdown' again as we had five active cases of COVID. This time however the lockdown was not as strict. But we were unable to have visitors, were unable to participate in group activities, we were basically confined to our apartments, ate in the dining room but only one person at a table and we suffered isolation. The management, of course, followed safe procedures to prevent the spread of COVID. But I couldn't help asking myself, is COVID ever going to end? And the answer is, probably not. However, there are many communicable diseases floating around this world which makes us very aware and careful. But do we have to go through all the rules of isolation?
I can remember measles, mumps, chicken pox, whooping cough, polio in my school and neighborhood while growing up in New Jersey and we all took these sicknesses in stride and just lived VERY carefully. We never had lockdowns. Instead, I remember signs on our front porch "MEASES" or "MUMPS" indicating someone in our house currently had that disease. But we all just respected the fact that certain diseases were communicable and the signs told people to be careful and 'stay away' while the signs were posted.
The worst part of lockdowns is that we suffer 'loneliness'. And I'm talking now about people like me who are living in "Assisted Living Facilities". Here we are living 'alone', no close family with us, and now, in addition the 'lockdown' intensifies the loneliness. The management here at Vista Springs has shown great support by creatively thinking of activities we do alone in our rooms, but it is not the same as talking and joking with fellow residents. So we are looking forward to freedom from lockdowns.
Yes, COVID will never end and neither will all the other communicable diseases in our world. We have to live with this reality that there will always be medical dangers in our sin-filled world. We are faced with another reminder of our constant attacks by the enemy of God, Satan. In our environment we sometimes forget that we live under constant danger from the Enemy. Even though Jesus died on the cross and thereby proved Satan the loser, the Enemy still invades our lives. Whether it be attacks on our minds or attacks on our physical bodies, Satan will always try to capture us.
What do we do? Let me share what I do. I constantly pray for protection and guidance from my Lord and Savior. There are moments in my day that I sit outside in the beautiful weather of these autumn days (like today) and as the warm sun engulfs me and as I gaze at the red, yellow, and orange leaves of the trees, I am immersed in the presence of our great Creator, God Almighty and I pray. What an amazing God. He chose these fall colors on the trees because He wanted beauty to come into our lives. Never forget. When we pray, God listens because Scripture tells me He listens. When I pray to the Lord I feel protected and comforted and I smile knowing God is with me.
My prayer does not mean I will never get a cold but I know God will be with me. I did suffer from COVID. Back in April, 2020, both Dick and I tested positive for COVID here at Vista Springs. We were confined to our apartment and I do remember being quite sick with mental confusion, flu like symptoms and extremely fatigued. Dick began breathing heavily and I knew the COVID had hit his lungs. He died from COVID on May 6, 2020 at age 91. Yes, COVID hit us hard. But, miracle of miracles I survived.
The Lord is with us and we don't understand His timing but we trust Him for His love to us. Yes, COVID is bad and we don't like the rules and interruptions of our usual carefree lives. But we must obey those rules, understanding that rules protect us.
In the "Amplified Version of the Bible", Matthew, verse 20 states, "lo, I am with you all the days- perpetually, uniformly and on every occasion- to the very close and consummation of the age. Amen - so let it be." Remember, GOD IS WITH US!
