Meanwhile the world goes on*

by chuckofish

I don’t know about you, but if I read one more article/blogpost that starts off like this:

“Here are some things you can do to lift your spirits like take a walk in nature, connect with a friend, clean out clutter or your closet and donate things you don’t need, spend time with animals or adopt a pet, log off social media and read a book, binge a new show or volunteer…” 

I’ll scream!

Oh good grief! Is this truly the best we can do? These are valid suggestions, they are. But we’ve been hearing the same old drone for 10 months. By now everyone’s closets must be organized and their homes neat as a pin, right? But I doubt it.

Removing myself from social media and blocking out the news cycle has helped. It has helped a lot. And I continue to recommend watching old movies, like Pal Joey (1957) with Frank Sinatra crooning old Rodgers and Hart songs. Hard to beat.

But all those things only give one a fleeting escape and ultimately I agree with Tim Challies, who says:

For now my confidence is in the goodness and sovereignty of God, my trust is that his plan is perfect, even when it doesn’t feel like it. And, when worries return, when I feel fear… when my mind clouds and my pulse quickens, instead of looking forward to project grief I look back to remember grace, instead of looking inward I look upward, instead of dwelling on projections I dwell on providence. For worry, I know, is as senseless as predictions.

Hold your loved ones close. (But not too close.)

Look upward.

And pray.  “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day?” (Psalm 13:1-2)

*Mary Oliver