I live in Michigan. And although Michigan is currently the state with the third highest number of coronavirus cases, my small community of Midland in the center of the state has only fifteen cases (as of the Friday of posting this).
While we are relatively safe and sheltering at home, like everyone else we have to go out for groceries and necessities from time to time. One of my daughters is a physical therapy assistant and so comes into contact with people who must still have physical therapy. My husband is a mental health therapist and also still has a few in-person appointments with clients in crisis (although the majority of his sessions are now via telehealth).
All that to say, my family is living with the reality that we aren’t immune from catching covid19. In truth, most of probably worry to some degree or another about being exposed to and coming down with the virus. There’s an undeniable sense of anxiety and fear permeating our lives right now.
While some of the fear can be healthy and prompt us to follow guidelines more carefully, some fear can become debilitating resulting in migraines, panic attacks, insomnia, and more. I personally suffer with problems of insomnia and migraines during stressful times. As I’ve gotten older, those particular problems have intensified.
But, thankfully, as I’ve gotten older, God’s presence in my life has also intensified. One way he’s been at work in me over the past couple of years has been through my developing the practice of giving thanks in all circumstances. The habit started after reading Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts. I decided to keep a personal journal of 1000 gifts. I’m currently on my third 1000 gifts journal and going strong.
This simple practice has changed my life, particularly my perspective during the hardest of times. It’s when I’m at my lowest, when fear sneaks in, when I can’t sleep, when the headaches throb that my give-thanks-in-all-circumstances habit holds me in good stead. Rather than dwelling on the negative, I’ve trained myself to look for the blessings.
During these scary days when the coronavirus has flipped our world upside down, I’m on the lookout for blessings—the beauty among the ashes. I’m writing them down in my journal. And I’m also trying to keep a photo record (and posting some of my pictures on Instagram). This week, these are a few of the blessings I shared:
#StayHome #Blessing1 ❤️ Thankful for having my college daughters home and getting to eat their excellent cooking! #covid19
#StayHome #Blessing3 ❤️ Thankful for online church and getting to worship together as a family! #covid19
What are YOUR blessings during these scary days of battling the coronavirus?
Jody Hedlund
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I’m thankful for FaceTime so I can still talk to my granddaughters, read stories to them and play Barbies with them.
Thank you for a positive, uplifting message. Hope you and your family continue to do well.
I am thankful that everyone in my family is well and adjusting to this situation. I am thankful to know God has this.
I love what you said about God’s presence in your life intensifying to meet your rising challenges. He is always enough. Isn’t that amazing?
My biggest blessing during Covid-19 is having my college kiddos at home. Bethany will be heading off to grad school in the fall and will be farther from home. These precious weeks and months to spend with her before she leaves is a true gift to both of us.
We live on a farm in Greenville Michigan and we get outside, but my husband and oldest daughters jobs are essential so I have to constantly tell myself that God is in control and he will protect them. The positive in this is we are able to pay the bills we have. I thank the Lord for his many seen and unseen blessings in our lives. Continue to stay safe my fellow Michigander.
Reading aloud together with most of the family MUCH more frequently than we’ve been able to for a long time. Extra time spent video or phone calling friends. Focused writing time over the phone and internet with a best friend. Having to get seriously more out-of-the-box creative as a dance instructor, teaching classes over video. Getting out more in the lovely weather. Working on surrendering more willingly to whatever is orchestrating or would have me do/focus on during this time. And sooooo much planning of things to do with friends once we can get together again!!
Count blessings ? Most of all, family members who had the virus have recovered, including a baby. the constant messages from people
I love and need most – almost every day.
Internet access currently very limited – far north of England, just below Scotland,
WFH for the key worker – not me, means very slow broadband and ,
no phone signal,.