There are poems and prayers circulating about this time of pandemic, and each one that I've been sent (or sent myself) speak to opportunities during this time of waiting: Getting to know our families more; discovering talents that we didn't know we had; spending time just "being." In actuality, all have to do with ultimately becoming the person that we were created to be.
But I challenge us not to go about trying to create ourselves into these more grateful, evolved beings but instead learning to allow God to show us our authentic selves, the unique individuals that God created us to become. Our true self is already within each of us; we are authentically and beautifully created, while still in our mothers' wombs. We have been knit together by a Loving Creator.
I asked myself this week: What am I doing for Christ during this pandemic? I have been feeling stymied by the suspension of what I was doing before we began self-isolating. Opportunities to continue volunteering outside my home have all but ceased, but other occasions for loving my neighbor have increased or been discovered... not to mention more time for prayer: The money I'm saving on gas alone can go to local food pantries that are feeding even more people now; I have more time to read about the causes that I am involved in or in which I want to become involved so that I'm better educated and better prepared to take action someday soon; I have more time to connect with friends in the same town or across the country; I can send more letters and cards to my friend on death row to help keep up his spirits while there are no visitations permitted; I can spend more time praying for others and the countless needs of those around the world; I can meet with people from my church more easily, because we're now just a click away and not 50 minutes apart; I can fall in love with my spouse again; talk to my cat more and watch her lovingly respond to the extra attention; I can literally watch God recreating the world, as each day the leaves are bigger and greener and the irises go from dormant to full bloom! My list could go on and on, and I'm sure your list of callings and blessings could do the same.
As we excitedly await speaking "Alleluia! He is Risen!" let's remember that we are not just in a holding pattern during COVID-19. Each of us has more time and more quiet to find within ourselves the person that each was born to become. And we have more time to do so as we put on Christ during these holiest of days. Let our Lord teach you about yourself. Be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit - no matter how small you think the nudge may be. Allow the Creator to show you the Unconditional Love in which you were born. Watch for the glory of the empty tomb. Await His calling you by name - and, importantly, prepare yourself to answer.
Happy Easter to friends and family! Blessings and all Good be to you and to those you love.
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