Unprecedented Times – Maybe, Maybe Not

13 Apr Unprecedented Times – Maybe, Maybe Not

Everywhere I turn I am reading or hearing that we are living in “unprecedented” times during this Covid-19 epidemic.  How we define “unprecedented times” may vary though from one person to the next.  Synonyms of “unprecedented” include such phrases as: unparalleled, without equal, extraordinary, uncommon, unusual, outstanding, exceptional, abnormal, unique and unrivalled.

But are these times really “unprecedented”?  Each of us has had uncommon or unusual times that we have experienced prior to this.  We have all experienced things that fall into that exceptional category or fall under the “unrivalled” banner.  For some individuals it may have been a financial crisis.  For others it might have been a relational crisis or a health crisis like a cancer diagnosis.  The good news is we are still here to talk about it.  Why is it that we are still here to talk about it?  That’s because we took charge and did something “extraordinary” in “extraordinary” times.  We listened.  We heeded what was being suggested or how others were recommending we progress.

With every new challenge we face in our lives, we also face new opportunities to learn to do things differently.  This is nothing new for any of us.  Now is the time to do something that might be new to us as well.  Perhaps we have always been the one to “fight against” what authority figures around us “told” or “suggested” we do.  So, following that analogy, perhaps this is the time to change that “dig your heels in behaviour” and not fight back but do the social distancing that is being recommended by professionals who are far wiser than us.  These are the men and women who have trained, studied and grappled with this invisible terror for many months now.  Have mistakes been made?  Probably.  But are we learning new things every day?  Oh yes.  Learning is happening.  There are also factors that are similar to other illnesses and factors that are distinctly different.  Similarities allow us to progress more rapidly in finding solutions to some of these challenges.

The same is true about our lives.  While we have experienced unusual or unique situations, there will be some similarities to what we are experiencing now.  For those who have ever had a loved one who came down with chicken pox and needed to stay home for two weeks.  We survived that “quarantine” time period just as the 2^nd or 3^rd child subsequently came down with it as well.  But families survived those times of being home.  Families who have made the decision to “homeschool” their children have also survived having children home 24/7 as well.  Or those who have loved ones with a fragile health condition with many uncertainties have discovered they have more strength than what they thought they had.

I believe the same is true right now.  I believe we need to tap into our strengths and resources to go “mining” for our abilities that we have forgotten we may have and put them to good use.  As Canadians, we have historically been the “neighbour” that was ready and willing to help in times of difficulty.  Now is no different.  I believe we need to be there for each other, and we will all get through these difficult challenges successfully.  We have what it takes to make a difference for ourselves and others.

Here at ACT Associates it is no secret that our faith in Christ is incredibly important to us.  I also believe that it is important for us to remember promises that have been made to us and claim those promises each and every day.

“Have I commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.   Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9)

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do, I give to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27).

“Observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20)

So, folks, we are not alone.  God is with us regardless of what is happening.  There are others who are “feeling” alone right now.  Is there someone you can call or connect with online to help them feel less isolated?

Here at ACT Associates we are hosting an online forum each day at 2 pm EST with new or different ideas or resources for unique ways to spend this time at home while we are practicing social distancing.  If you or someone you  know would benefit from being able to join or listen in free of charge, please have them go to our contact page of our  website https://actassociates.ca/contact/ and email us and we will add them to our list of people on the Zoom call.

Keep well, keep safe and know you are cared about.

Blessings

Jan