How much can you take?

I WOKE WITH TEARS yesterday. And my first thought of the day felt like a jolt inside my head:

“Is he still alive?”

Let me make this short.

My wife and I broke our Covid-19 protocol on Wednesday. We watched our grandsons, ages 2 and 4. You can wear a mask all day, as we did, but you can’t social distance a kid.

I discovered that when the 2-year-old leaped onto my lap when I wasn’t looking. What could I possibly do but love it? I did, however, resist the hugging and cuddling he loves and I need.

We broke protocol because our daughter was helping lead a search for a missing co-worker—a social worker held overnight on a charge of driving under the influence. She had wrecked her car and then threw her car keys and cell phone into a nearby wooded area.

Police held her overnight. They released her the next morning. Still disoriented, she walked away and disappeared.

The search party found the keys and phone on the day we watched the grandkids.

The call

My wife and I were still watching the grandkids when I got a call from 800 miles away in Ohio, where the rest of my family lives. My youngest brother has had a heart attack. They’ve repaired the heart, but are worried about brain damage. So, they sedated him and cooled his body. They will warm it back up gradually over the next 72 hours.

The virus

We deal with crises like these knowing there’s a virus out there that can unleash Armageddon if many of us act as recklessly as those who pretend something invisible can’t kill them and their family.

The chaos

We experience all of this while trying to survive in a national-scale reality show, with a cast of 328 million, less 100+k dead of the virus we were told was no big deal and are yet told is “no serious threat” worthy of masks and social distancing

There are so many Bible proverbs that come to mind. I’ll offer just one.

“If you live life by trusting your gut instincts, you’re an idiot.
But if you live wisely, you will be saved.” Proverbs 28:26 Casual English Bible

Ok, I can’t resist. One more.

“When bad people rise to power, good people hide.
When those bad people die, the good people come out and flourish again.” Proverbs 28:28 Casual English Bible

I don’t like that proverb. At least not for a democracy.

The proverb seems correct, I’ll give you that much. A lot of people are laying low, and many of them are politicians who could put a stop to the reality-show chaos.

You see, I’m thinking that in a democracy, when bad people rise to power, perhaps good people should take a deep breath—for those who can’t—and then paint the highways with “Whoa Nellie.”

I’ve got some paint and a brush.

The question

How much more can we take?

Who knows? How much more will the world throw at us?

There are some things we can’t control. Heart attacks, for one. By the time you read this, hopefully the docs will be starting to warm my brother’s body. Afterward they plan to wean him off sedatives that are keeping him quiet.

There are, however, times when we can do something about the problem.

Like searching for a lost friend. In which case,

“Trust God with everything you plan to do.
Then do it.” Proverbs 16:3 Casual English Bible

The missing lady is Marina Bischoff, age 39. Here’s a link: YouTube video. And another: KC police tweet.

The favor

Do something good for someone else today. Anything. A word. A prayer. A car.

Then, if you think of it and can spare the time, let me know what came of it. I could use that kind of news.

I think most of us could.

Peace to you.

Casual English Bible
Bible Gateway