Thanksgiving and the Pandemic.
I know we have passed Thanksgiving here in Canada but living so close to the USA, we are reminded it will be Thanksgiving there shortly.
It might seem ironic to even talk about thanksgiving during this time of pandemic. In fact, one writer questioned whether Thanksgiving in 2020 was an oxymoron! If we concentrate on the downside of the pandemic – and there are several as we all know – then being grateful might seem somewhat foreign in such a situation. This pandemic is something which few of us, if any, have had to deal with before.
We readily acknowledge that it has caused untold misery for many people. The tragic loss of life. The inconvenience of job loss. Isolation. Loneliness. All these aspects have taken their toll and have been expressed in anxiety, stress, physical illness, damaged relationships and, very sadly for some, suicide. Such is the serious response to this nasty global pandemic. Living in a Retirement Community we personally have experienced the sense of imprisonment through a lock-down. We are well aware of the how quickly the virus can run through a Care Home. Having a wife who needs constant care and is already health compromised, I understand the seriousness of our situation. But, as they say, there are always two sides to the same coin. I like to look for the bright side, if there is one.
So looking on the lighter side I have discovered that the pandemic has actually saved me money. In the last eight months I have only had one haircut! (No comments, please!) I have only filled up the car once instead of once a month. Sadly we have missed our weekly lunch at a local coffee shop but it has saved me money. Also we have obviously shopped less. I am sure it is the same for you and you could probably add to the list. I have found that if I focus on what we have and not on what we would like, I begin to think positively about the situation. I find it helpful to concentrate on the blessings in hand rather than wishing for those things which currently may not be available.
If we look closely we can usually find some good in every situation. We are certainly grateful to have been kept virus free. We are grateful just to wake up each morning, grateful to see the sun and feel the rain, grateful for food to eat, clothes to wear, a warm bed to sleep in, and even a few dollars in the bank. There are millions in this world who would love to change places with us.
So even during the pandemic we still have reasons for gratitude and thanksgiving to be never far from our thoughts. We can be assured that God has not relinquished control yet! I recently read this quotation which I think is applicable, “Accept what is, let go of what was and have faith in what will be.”
