So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand.

Isaiah 41:10

At first, the quarantine was not so bad. I had diligently stocked our pantry while often having flashbacks of my childhood. My grandmother’s kitchen was the center of family life, and she knew how to skillfully prepare meals on a limited budget. It’s funny that my newly acquired habit of carefully selecting organic fresh meats and produce flew out the window when I found myself feeling a sense of security with rice, beans, pasta, canned and frozen foods. Old recipes came to my mind, which brought comfort and I’m sure a few pounds!

I approached each day with a busy agenda of keeping house in between meal preparation—much like my grandmother functioned every day of her life. Her home was sparkling clean, quiet, always had great smells from something in the oven, and we knew everything would be the same when we opened the front door. The familiar sound of the “tick-tock” of the mantle clock would greet us with solace.

So, what does the same mean to us now? Nothing is the same now. We are experiencing a new after. Our memories of the before are just that.....before the Pandemic. I have compared this time with other hard times in my life with no success. This experience is just unique.

As my family approaches a long anticipated high school graduation ceremony of our granddaughter, we fill out questionnaires and study the methodical procedures of entrance and exit. Sadly, we have given more thought to the process and safety of those who attend the ceremony than to the total joy of her outstanding academic achievements. Like an uninvited guest who crashes a party, we have to make room and adjust to this stranger among us.

The battle of faith over fear will be with us in the months to come, but the blessing and wealth of being a Christ follower, who loves God’s Word, is our weapon in this invisible battle. So friends, now is the time to realize that you are equipped, and nothing can separate us from the love of God! (Romans 8:36-39)

Jill Hendrix