Laughter, bouncing balls and the thump, thump, thump of jump ropes are some of the sounds that accompany school children at recess. If you ever lived close to an elementary school you marked the time of day by what you heard. Some schools have eliminated recess but many still have a morning and afternoon break. Looking back, those breaks were important. A time to run, hop and let off energy. Make noise! Teachers dreaded rainy days because all of that extra bundled up energy spilled out into the classroom and often in contentious, disruptive ways.
The Covid-19 virus has caused our schedules to be disrupted in ways we despise. Accepting change, is difficult. During WWII London was under constant attack.
“The heavy and frequent bombing attacks on London and other cities was known as the ‘Blitz’. Night after night, from September 1940 until May 1941, German bombers attacked British cities, ports and industrial areas. London was bombed every day and night, bar one, for 11 weeks. One third of London was destroyed.” (Your Homework UK). Londoners lived in fear and with a NEW NORMAL. From the underground War Rooms, Winston Churchill often spoke to the British people. He spoke truth and his being there was an encouragement to people who had painted their windows black so light would not be detected by the German bombers. Churchill promised a new day, of VICTORY even as people dug their way out of destruction day after day.
We are in a different, swift moving conflict that has suddenly changed us. The school yards and university and colleges have fallen silent. The thump, thump, thump of the jump rope has been muffled.
When the Twin Towers were struck and fell, the Pentagon was blasted and a crater formed in a Pennsylvania field on September 11, 2001 people filled churches to pray and cry together. People hung onto strangers trying to gain new strength.
Our new crisis is so very different. We are not to be in groups larger than ten people. We cannot fill a cathedral or country church to pray. We cannot stand with other parishioners and sing “On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand.”
We are being forced into a unnatural quietness, like it or not. An omnipresent God has given us music from the rushing creek or the buzzing of bees is near. God’s majestic vibrations can refresh our lives. Know now that God’s Church is HERE and STRONG! The Holy Spirit is in dimly lit rooms in China or in some of the largest churches in South Korea. “Wherever two or three are gathered… God is with us!” You are NOT ALONE! The Covenant Family is waiting to greet you by phone, text or e-mail.
Now sit and let the rusty chains of the old porch swing squeak and sing into your soul. Then in a whisper speak boldly into the nighttime saying, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Wait…. then slowly announce it again……
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” – Psalm 46:10
Sit….
breath deep…….
Wait…….
breath deep………
relax and rest in God’s arms.
Now hear this, God is omnipresent! You are not alone because your Covenant Church Family is here to surround you with love and assistance. ️
— Pastor Carl