Day 3 and Day 4
Monday, March 23, 2020
The kids are outside jumping on the trampoline, screaming and laughing. I pause just to soak it in. Life has changed so much for so many people. The underlying stress is pervasive, so hearing their sheer, unfiltered laughter made me stop writing and just listen.
Our neighborhood has been quiet. For the most part, people are staying inside. This morning, our two elderly neighbors walked around our cul-de-sac getting in some exercise; we waved “Hi” from our windows.
In the afternoon, as homeschooling ended, I took a walk around the cul-de-sac to get some energy out and caught up with a neighbor from a distance. Lost job. Unsure how the property tax will get paid.
I tell him that I wish I could do more, but right now all I can offer is my prayers, that God would help him and that the loan he applied for would get approved just in time. He acknowledges that a higher power is a powerful source of help.
A friend from the kids’ school texts me and asks, “How in the hell do we do this homeschooling? I’m too overwhelmed.” I send her my schedule. She sends me a bunch of laughing emojis. She thinks it’s a joke because I left the academic times blank (for flexibility!) and it looks like we just play all day.
No joke, I tell her! This keeps me sane! We share more laughing emojis. I tell her I’m praying for her. I really am. I am praying, “Lord, help us.”
I texted another neighbor, whose father-in-law was in the hospital getting quadruple bypass surgery, to let her know that he is in my prayers. Then, we get into a text message about running low on TP. I tell her I can share two rolls until she gets restocked.
Four important words…
Yesterday, our pastor gave a simple yet timely sermon. The call was to go to Jesus with these four important words, “I need your help.” The invalid at the Pool of Bethesda was helpless to make himself well, and he, in his own way shared, “I need your help.” Jesus responds by strengthening his feeble legs so that he could walk again.
Last night, I spent some time praying for help.
Simple, but a sincere acknowledgment of our utter helplessness without Him.
Jesus, I need your help.
Jesus, NY needs your help.
Jesus our country needs your help.
Jesus, my friend(s) (names) needs your help.
Jesus, my parents, and inlaws need your help.
Jesus, the healthcare workers, and first responders and their families need your help.
Jesus, our family needs your help.
Jesus, help us.
Throughout the day, I found myself praying the same prayers as I heard of needs, as I felt overwhelmed, as I read the news….
“We need your help.”
We are truly helpless without you, Jesus.
Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
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