well true confessions of this self isolator continue, so here goes  . . .

yesterday I played pickleball – today my gym is closed

yesterday seemed a normal day at the gym, everyone working out, wiping down, washing up after every workout – that’s what gym people do – it’s gym etiquette and it has been in place long before this particular corona virus made its appearance on the international scene

so today I have tennis elbow, but now there will be plenty of time for it to heal

I am thinking that for some households this forced “isolation” probably feels like just the opposite.  For households with multiple members, I bet they are all on different schedules normally, passing each other coming and going, but rarely all home at the same time for any length of time.  And now they are all home together and no one is leaving.  Isolation might be sounding pretty good to some of them right about now, probably in direct proportion to number of people divided by the square footage of the home.

However, for those that live alone, this truly is isolation. (cats don’t count as good company, dogs yes, but not cats – sorry cats)  When newscasters are your new best friends, even though they bring only bad news, something is not right.

Last night’s news brought announcements of more closings; the closings of bars, restaurants, gyms and movie theaters.  Something else though, was even more noteworthy I thought, something much more unsettling.  They said warm weather would have no positive effect on this virus, that this “pandemic” could continue on into the summer.

What is significant about this?  Well, we have called it flu season all these years for a reason, it has a beginning and an end.  When schools here first announced their closures, they did so while saying that they would reopen after spring break – which would mean three weeks.

There was an end in sight – a way to plan.  I feel like I am in a race and they keep moving the finish line.  I knew this wasn’t a sprint but I never signed up for a marathon.  But even marathons have finish lines.  And because they do, I can know how to pace myself.  So how do I run a race without a finish line?  How can I know how to pace myself without a finish line?

”  . . .   Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)

One step at a time.  One day at a time.  One hour at a time if necessary.  I know the One who knows where the finish line lies.  Tomorrow will be the right day for a post I was writing on Manna but didn’t post yet.  Now I know why.  It’s a message I need to hear again and again.  I need to hear it now.

and so my dear readers,  “Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  (Joshua 1:9)

“We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.  In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name.  May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You.”    (Psalm 33:20-22)

sincerely,     Grace Day