There is a small room in my grandparents’ basement, built by two brothers. My mom’s two cousins needed housing while they attended Dunwoody Institute the year of the Armistice Day Blizzard. That November 11th day in 1940 was unseasonably warm, but ended with a two-day snowstorm that caught many off guard, even freezing some to death. As the storm hit, the two brothers walked approximately five and a half miles from school to home. By the time they walked through the back door of the house, the ear of one was frozen and covered with snow.
Later on that little room served various uses, but what I remember about it is that it had a small framed statement, maybe 6 x 8 inches, that said, Stop Worrying. You’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive.
I loved that sign. It brought a wry smile to my face the first time I saw it and every time afterward. From time to time that admonition has returned to me with its whimsical truth. It certainly echos these days in which our country is facing not one, but three (or more) challenges.
As we continue to endure the corona virus pandemic and shut down, some feel great concern over what could happen when folks begin to venture again into normal life. They are worried about catching this virus and what it can do to their health or the health of a loved one. We hear concerns about it mutating, though a highly respected doctor asserts the parts of it that mutate don’t affect the parts that respond to treatment. We have treatment for it, but not everyone agrees whether hydroxochloroquine + azithromycin (+ zinc) is effective. There are even disagreements about why people agree or don’t agree with its effectiveness. We have unanswered questions: do or did I have it and not know it, if people get it and have some or no symptoms how can they avoid giving it to someone else, what if I get it and am one of the few who suffer and die? Scott Kesterson wrote something that gave me pause: Reflect. Our time on earth is finite. When we die is unknown. What is certain is that we will die. Some will die tonight. I hope it’s not a new thing for people to think about their own death, but maybe it is. Some US citizens these days are only for the first time facing a mortal challenge.
Others feel great concern over their rights being taken away. Shouldn’t there have at least been a war before someone dropped the hammer and decided when and where citizens can go, who they can visit, and what they are allowed to purchase? Those with power are revealing who they are: concerned and focused or controlling and oppressive. Even Hollywood stars are getting into the act by parroting whatever script they are given. Not all of them, but some. (Those some, I would add, have probably been bought by someone unseen and powerful. It’s very sad to think someone gained fame and fortune at such a steep price.) Those who know the history of communism and those who only think they do have opposing perspectives.
The majority of us are probably somewhere in between; caring about public health, yet also caring about freedom; caring about the vulnerable, yet also caring about restricting government orders and the destabilizing nature of an economy in its death throes.
Yes, we have a load of trouble on our hands. We have pestilence. We have threats of war. And thirdly, we have the kingdom of darkness right here. We are only now waking up to the widespread practice of satanism among the wealthy and powerful. It walked into our house and poured its black, evil, vile presence all over the place. And whether we’re ready or not, we must fight it. We must banish it from our home and vanquish it as well as we can. And we must do so whether we’re scared or worried or weak.
These are worrisome times, but we have a God whose mighty hand can part seas, heal those who are sick, fight battles, and calm storms. That hand can even raise the dead! Why do we dismiss His power so easily? We are walking through our own Armistice Day blizzard of sorts. It took us by surprise! It’s difficult to see the path in front of us! Yet we know we must persevere in order to get to a place of safety and warmth.
Finally, let’s bring to mind not just worrisome things, but lovely things, too; because they are part of what strengthens us. As we walk this beautiful, weary world, it will do more good to let go of the things that weigh our journey down: hate, past troubles, worry, than to carry their sorry carcasses on our backs. There’s a lot to love and appreciate. Always. Even during troubled times.
Stop worrying. You’ll never get out of this world alive.
Bards of War, Scott Kesterson, https://www.Youtube.com/channel/UCOtB_qcFywPqu0uVwf6RPpw; Image: pexels.com; https://www.facebook.com/TippingPointonOAN/videos/282333452762416/?t=3