Attitudes in Isolation

I am tired of Coronavirus Conversations. They seem to be the only things that anyone has to talk about anymore. Unfortunately, many of the information people are discussing are the exaggerated reports the media presents.

Many statistics are lacking in important details. We are told how many died, we are told how many have been tested positive, but we are not made aware by charts and graphs of how many had underlying issues? How many tested positive were sent home and recovered just fine? How many do not even know they had it? Or, had it and stayed home with no testing whatsoever?

Now we're told that anyone who contracts the virus has decreased lung function and will probably die sooner. There is not enough information to present this as fact. Lung tissue regenerates after a smoker quits smoking. Why are we not presuming this is the case for the virus as well? Where are the peer reviewed, scientific articles demonstrating the claims in the media?

I caution you, if you read the new information, take it with a grain of salt. There is not enough time or energy yet devoted to proving these claims. Think with a mind directed by logic, not with one directed by fear.

So, now most of us are under stay at home orders. We must only leave if we have essential business. (Beer and wine, anyone?) For about two weeks now I have been thinking about how our walk with the Lord can feel invalidated when nobody is around to see.

We spend so much time in bible studies and church services "spurring one another on to love and good deeds" and talking about producing fruit. James even says "faith without action is dead." So, we are stuck at home, seemingly rendered fruitless.

For me, at least, I tend to think that there is no action to take, when we are at home going about our own personal business. The things we do, like cooking, cleaning, crafting, organizing, drinking our drinks... are not the things of the kingdom... right?

Well, sort of. It can be easy to claim "Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the Lord Jesus..." (1 Cor. 10:31) But developing fruit is less about the tangible, touchable daily things. While these are important, they are not the GOAL.

You see, the fruit that the Lord is asking us to develop is not to reach completion in our to do lists. We are not checking boxes. The fruit that the Lord is asking from us is a heart condition. Attitude and perspective. God wants to see our hearts changed. This is where "doing unto the Lord" becomes worship, instead of work.

Galatians 5:22 lists these attitudes of the heart. We know them as the Fruit of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  These attitudes are still relevant, even when we are alone. They do not only apply to our public behavior. They apply to our being. Our spirit person still exists, even when nobody is looking. Are you nurturing your spirit? Are you quenching the thirst of your soul even though you must be isolated right now?

When we struggle is when we have opportunity to grow. We see in our struggles where our great weaknesses are. This does not need to be a time of confusion and doubt. I have practiced making this a time of self reflection and seeking of clarity.

Philippians 4:8 says "Whatever is noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable... if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things." We shift our minds, from the fear inducing accounts of the world, and think on the things of Christ. 

We do not conform to the world's ideas, but renew our minds. 

What are things that I miss during quarantine? What are the things that I am relieved to be taking a break from? Should I continue in the activities that I am grateful to be freed from? What are the thoughts of my flesh that are invading my peace? What are the prevalent attitudes of my heart that are robbing me of my joy? I must work on this in the struggle, not in the ease. Then it will become habit, by choosing my thoughts moment after moment, after moment.

Is it easy? No. But it comes from waking each day with a resolve to walk in proper attitude.

When Coronavirus passes, and we step into a new society, with different struggles than before this happened, we want our minds to be prepared for action (1 Peter 1:13). I can't think of a better opportunity to work on this than forced isolation.

Be well, my Friends.

Are You Happy?

      I guess this Stupid Virus has made it difficult for me to live my day to day life. Shucks. School is cancelled until 4-20. If school actually starts meeting on that day, I can tell you more parents than ever are going to be remembering Bob. 

      Hey, listen. I really like my children. Love them, even! But it can be a lot tryna be together, in quarantine for a whole month. Yesterday, my poor boy asked if we could go somewhere. When I told him all the somewhere places we would go are closed until further notice, he sighed and said "Well, can we just get in the car and drive around?" 

      We were supposed to go to the coolest zoo ever next week, but it got shut down until the virus passes. I offered to buy everyone an animal costume and lock them in cages but they didn't like my new plan. I even told them I'd throw food at them. The 13 Year Old said she was game for that if she could be the zoo keeper. Everyone else just gave me the "you're stupid" look. 

      So, now I am in full mom mode, and my kids are doing their best to play together and help maintain order. Today we baked cranberry muffins, and blueberry bread. We went on Amazon and ordered some fuzzy coloring posters, new puzzles and sparkly craft paper. (Who doesn't need more sparkles in their life?) We watched clips on YouTube from Napoleon Dynamite. (My feeble attempt at convincing them they're missing out on life by refusing to watch this movie with me.) At some point YouTube decided we needed some suggestions, and offered us an 11 year old channel called "Great Depression Cooking" in which our new friend Clara shows us how to cook food from the Depression era. While she is cooking she tells us old stories from her childhood memories. 

      Her stories are laced with vocabulary like "It wasn't much, but we were happy." and "We didn't have the fancy stuff, but we had what we needed." 

      Oh, for the joy of doing without. Jesus, create in us hearts of contentment and willingness to live in the circumstances you grant us... for the simple pleasure of being right where you want us to be. 

      My favorite passage from scripture is Hebrews 11 and 12. The writer of this book lists the incredible people who persevered in faith, and yet did not take hold of any earthly reward. The purpose of living through difficulty is to refine us; to make us mature and complete (James 1:4). We can walk through uncertain times because we know what God promises us if we persevere: a crown of life (James 1:12). 

      Am I implying that we are under persecution like our ancestors in faith? No... but I feel like I am struggling. I feel like I am being refined. Besides, Hebrews 11:39-40 says "They were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect." We are part of a long faith legacy. We have been passed the torch, and urged to run. Our sanctification plays a part in the kingdom story... in  God's story. 

      So, here I am, learning the secret of contentment (Philippians 4:11). It is easy to be content when I have all the fancy things. I must choose contentment when I do not have convenience and fun to distract me. If I allow the author and perfecter of my faith to build my character, I will experience life on this side of eternity more fully. Yes, please! 

      And so, since we have examples to follow, lets do the same. Let us throw off our chains, and let us fix our eyes on Christ, who "for the joy set before him" endured the cup he was given. 

     Where is your joy? Have you set your eyes on the promises of God? I assure you, Dear Ones, there is a hope and future! Fix your eyes on the blessing of the struggle. 

A Sociologist's Perspective on Covid-19

I went to Sam’s Club yesterday for a regular grocery shopping trip. I go once a week, because there are seven of us in the household. Don’t ask me to stock up on two week’s worth of groceries all at once. I. Don’t. Have. Room.

There was no rice on the shelf. It was gone. I desperately needed rice. I’m a weight lifter and a macro-nutrient counter. Rice is a staple. There is no negotiating rice. I’ll be damned if this stupid virus is going to make it difficult for me to simply live my day to day life. I mean, I’ve already resigned myself to cutting flat sheets into squares for washable ass wipes.

As I was lamenting the rice shortage of 2020 at house church, my friend made note of it, and texted today that there was now rice on the Sam’s Club shelves. After pumping out my upper body I went to the store, ‘cause rice...

I’ve been educated about both sides of this virus. Be worried, its unknown… don’t be worried, the flu is worse.  I am a researcher, after all. I am tired of hearing about it. I might have given in to the shopping frenzy a little. My 50 pound rice bag trophy inspired me to buy the last bag of potatoes in the bin. I might NEED those potatoes! (I’ll bet they only bring out one bag at a time. Crap. I got tricked into buying something I didn’t need!)

Here’s the deal, though. Nobody is talking about the social reasons this virus could be dangerous. I am a sociologist. I am trained in the scientific method. I can’t employ this for the sake of this article because there isn’t enough research out there yet. Also, I might be a teensy bit apathetic about proving my points.  Plus, I’m in the mood to channel my old dead sociologist friend Karl Marx. He was more of a prophet than a scientist. His predictions based on observation are relevant to our society today. Observation and speculation are good ways to begin researching a phenomenon. I am speculating, I am rambling, I am simply thinking out loud. If you’re into it, read on…

There was absolute panic in the grocery store. I could feel it permeating the air. A side note: its interesting what people stock up on in case of emergency. 20 boxes of Eggo toaster waffles, anyone? Me, I bought broccoli. I skipped the dog food. If we do end up quarantined and starving, I might eat them anyways. I wonder why we are being told to crowd ourselves into small spaces to “prepare for the worst” if the whole point of avoiding sickness is to stay out of crowds?  I wonder if creating panic  is the point of the pandemic? Perhaps we are meant to feel desperate and afraid.

My first speculation (dare I call it a hypothesis?):  Fear keeps people under control. I don’t think people are fearful of getting sick. They are fearful of doing without. That is why telling folks to stock up on necessities is effective. We will spend all of our money at once, and be more dependent on the economy to provide for our perceived needs.

People are getting more creative at not spending money. This virus has caused an economy boost. Whoever owns the means of production for toilet paper is pretty happy with their stocks right now. (Somebody else who likes numbers, go find out if Charmin’ stock went up. Look up Eggo's stock, too. Leave a comment with the stats!)

My second speculation (hypothesis, anyone?): Wait for the economy crash. Nobody has any money left after their Eggo waffle shopping spree.  People will be broke, stressed out, and bored. All of us regular citizens (if you like fancy words, Marx called us the “proletariat”) will be working overtime, building our savings back up, and incapable of taking time off. Who benefits from this? Well, it’s the property owners (bourgeoisie).  They make money off of our panic. They benefit by creating a situation that requires us to work more. This makes us less independent and more controllable.

I had to pee so bad in the grocery store, but I was afraid to use the restroom. No, not because of germs. Are you kidding me? There’s SOAP in the bathroom. I really wanted to wash my hands too. But, if I left my cart, someone might have taken my rice. Or my last bag of potatoes. After all, I had the LAST ONE! Google Marx’s thoughts on commodity, if you want to know more!

My third and final HYPOTHESIS (I just went for it, that time.): We don’t trust each other. Divide and conquer. When the social classes begin to see that we are being oppressed and used by the wealthy we become a risk to the functionality of the system. We are more likely to resist and protest the way things are. Scarcity has been cultivated, and now we are working against one another for our own well being, instead of the well being of our fellow proletariat.

 Look up the video about the folks fighting over toilet paper. Come on ya’ll, she just wanted ONE PACK.

Okay, great. I feel better getting my thoughts out in the open. Since everyone was waiting with baited breath to hear what I think, I’m sure you feel better too. Here's the deal: be careful. I mean that in all senses. Wash your hands. Be smart. Buy what you need to be secure, just in case. But don’t forget what we’re dealing with here. There are things happening that require more depth of thought, and insight. We need to employ more intention in our actions. Let’s tweak our perspectives and try to see through a broader lens, than that of fear.

                Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go admire my giant rice bag trophy. And also, eat some.