If you've ever had any issues with anxiety, the realities of daily news announcements and updates regarding the growth of the world pandemic are undoubtedly upsetting. At what point did you become concerned?
Everything became very REAL for me, with the dual notice that Tom Hanks and his wife had contracted the virus -- coupled with seeing the empty toilet paper shelves in each of our stores. The virus suddenly had a 'face' and all expectations that things could remain the same had vaporized. Simultaneously.
We have officially entered the unknown.
My husband and I are in the higher risk category due to our age bracket and with his heart issues that puts us into the underlying compromised health category as well. We have decided to 'self-seclude' and will be staying very close to home. No dancing. No DoWopWednesday. No yoga. No Harry Connick Jr. concert. No first time ever to go to the Masters Tournament. And for me professionally? No giving the conference keynote in Massachusetts.
We didn't go to church this morning. Tough decision to make. Necessary. Life is indeed different. Already.
I am dealing with all of these changes to our schedule/routines and the myriad of unknowns by meditating on my favorite scripture verses. I recite them to myself as I go to sleep every night. I started with my one (AND ONLY) memory verse and then added the Lord's prayer. I start each new day by going through those same memory verses. Bookends to my day.
[SPOILER ALERT: In the two months since I started this practice of meditating on scripture passages, I have gone from my original set of two verses, to NOW BEING ABLE TO RECITE 100 VERSES!!!! I'll have to write more on that process at another point in time, but for now, let me just say YES! ONE HUNDRED VERSES!!]
I've also been spending time in my 'scripture collection' of my photos, where I have added a Bible verse in print to embellish the image. I have spent this weekend going through my favorites and creating some new ones.
My hope is that by sharing these images with you here, they may offer you support as well.
When in doubt, start with the classic:
"Be still and know that I am God."
All of the photos above I have taken over our summers in Door County, Wisconsin.
The two Saguaro cactus photos that follow are from our Cabo trip last fall.
The water lilies are from right here where we live in Vero Beach, FL.
I have written a prayer integrating these favorite scripture verse, into the prayer itself.
