something I recently read on Facebook caused me to pause and think about our current situation with the COVID-19 virus. It was a letter from someone who has been quarantined in China for the past several weeks due to the virus. She was expressing some blessings that had come from it: More quality time with her family. More time to relax and unwind from the daily grind. A daily walk and an appreciation of spring busting forth with greenery and colorful blooms. Sharing among neighbors of food and supplies. A small group of neighbors in her apartment sharing a make-shift pizza party from ingredients on hand. In other words, finding joy in the small things! I want to do the same thing. I want to appreciate all the small joys that surround my life that I often miss in the busyness of life.

I also want to replace fear with faith and trust in God and use this time to be a better human being instead of focusing just on self-preservation. As we go through this unprecedented crisis, let’s spend more time in prayer and more time in the Scriptures asking God what we can do to show Christ to the world. Do we show Christ’s peace in the midst of panic? Do we show mercy and grace to others who may be fearful? Do we share the hope that is within us?

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”  (Isaiah 26:3 NIV)