The Last few weeks have been tough.

It started for me on Sunday when I read an article in the New York Times about the United State’s  response to the pandemic and I was ready to scream.

That article combined with hearing about real life positive Covid19 diagnosis was discouraging.

To add the economic impact and fallout of the pandemic is sobering. Hearing about business owners re-opening only to be worried that they will have to close back down again, reports that nearly 16,000 restaurants have permanently shuttered. (Source: ABC News),

I’m concerned what will happen when the eviction protections end along with the supplemental financial support for people that are out of work.

It’s a lot to deal with at one time.

5 Months and Counting

This week begins our FIFTH month sheltering in place here in San Francisco and it doesn’t look like it will be ending anytime soon.

Yesterday my neighbor greeted me by telling me that he thinks we’re going to be shut down for another 6 months.

I hope not but after seeing how people are behaving and how the goal posts continue to move with the containment of the virus, then I am not so sure.

Focus on These Things

This past weekend we had a socially distanced drop by gathering for one of our friends who is moving away.

It was such a beautiful time and I’m glad because I was worried it wasn’t going to turn out right because of the pandemic but it was so uplifting and we were all glad she knew how much she was loved.

Friends make life worth the living and in this pandemic season we cannot take that for granted.

Last week I came across one of my favorite scriptures that was written at a time when the author was imprisoned and facing extreme adversity but yet he found time to encourage others.  He said to focus on these things:

Whatever is True: And that would not include the News!

Whatever is honorable: As I write this I am watching The Final Crossing of the Edmund Pettis Bridge in Selma, Alabama of the late Congressman John Lewis. He was an honorable man who was ready to die for what he believed in.  No greater love than this to lay down one’s life for friends.

Whatever is right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable: There are many people  that are doing what is right in this time even though the media likes to focus on all of the bad things are doing.

We have people that are helping families who may not have enough food, Medical professionals who are risking their lives to take care of patients during the pandemic, and even those who are trying their best to support people during this tough time by volunteering to babysit for weary parents or checking on elder neighbors.

One of the reasons I keep count of the weeks this has been going on is because I think people need to give themselves credit for making it this long!

To keep it real with you all: The News MAY get much worse so in the meantime….Focus on THESE Things.