How Will I Respond? What Does This Make Possible? 025

The COVID 19, or Coronavirus pandemic has led to what seems like an avalanche of events and change that continues to evolve hour by hour, none of which we have control over.  We discussed the formula E+R=O in episode 7. Go back and listen to that episode if you want to hear specifically about E+R=O.  We don’t have control over the current pandemic or necessarily the actions that our leaders are are taking to limit the spread.  We don’t have control as individuals over the fall of the stock market as panic selling has taken place.  We don’t even have control over whether we purchase toilet paper or not.  What we do have control over is our response to these events. There is power in our response.

What I have seen as many respond to this is an outpouring of compassion.  I hear stories of many people who have offered to serve others in this difficult time by helping watch other’s children, picking up groceries for neighbors who are unable to get out or at risk.  There was a story about a teacher who was handwriting notes to her students to encourage them while they are out of school.  What a cool idea. Think about how it makes you feel when you get a handwritten note of thanks or encouragement.  It is great to get an email or text note from others, but it is something special to get a handwritten note. I recall after my mother passed away finding the notes from many years that she received and kept close by.  When I was nearing my last days in my office prior to my retirement, I found 26 hand written notes of thanks and encouragement from a school administrator that he had written me over the 32 years of my career. I had literally received hundreds of kind emails from others I worked with and appreciated them tremendously, but those hand written notes were very special and I reached out to the gentleman and told him how much they meant to me over my career.  There was a story of a man who couldn’t visit his mother in the facility she was in so he went to the window and played the guitar for her. Harbor Freight donated their inventory of masks to the health care industry to protect them.  What stories of compassion have you seen related to the events of this pandemic?  What could be your story?  How can a response you have to this event add value to someone else?

We are experiencing challenges on many fronts that are resulting in creative ways to work and live.  Many small businesses are getting hit hard by directives designed to keep people from being exposed. What opportunities might be opened up or explored as a result?  Many are finding new business opportunities by providing online services such as gyms and fitness centers. I heard of a pizza restaurant and brewery that went beyond going carry or delivery only by making pizza kits to sell and advertising them as one way to provide an opportunity to entertain and educate kids that are out of school.  They provided the kits and instructions for families to put together the ingredients and cook the pizzas at home.  I have heard of breweries and distilleries producing and selling much needed hand sanitizer to make up for the loss in sales of their other products.  These are all examples of taking a very difficult event that has come quickly and responding in compassionate, creative ways that has and will continue to soften the blow of this world crisis and ultimately will lead to a more positive outcome than if the response was to throw your hands up in the air and do nothing.

I believe our responses to this event has led many people and organizations to think about what this situation can make possible.  Churches are expanding outside of the walls of the building and finding very effective and creative ways to reach not only their members, but others outside of the church by providing  many online opportunities to worship beyond just recording their services for viewing on the internet.  We hear about “being the Church” by serving people and the community. This could lead to many more people being exposed to God’s word and ultimately lead people to Christ. I heard of a church in our area that had toilet paper that you could get from them for no charge if you were in need.  Sounds simple, but that is being the church. Schools have been forced to ramp up online offerings, and many businesses have ramped up work at home programs. These responses, this “what does this make possible” thinking, I believe will ultimately lead to long term benefits as we change the way we do things.  Think about what a move, even a small one, to more work at home opportunities would bring. Think about the impact on traffic, the environment, and saved time on commutes could mean to a healthier world. Think about what more online opportunities for education could mean for teacher shortages and overcrowded schools throughout this nation.  Think about the possibilities as we learn to engage with others during times of isolation. Think about what it could mean to someone you know if they received a handwritten note of encouragement from you.

Ask yourself what this time of uncertainty makes possible. As Zig Zigler would say, change your “stinkin thinkin”, and take this difficult situation to think about what this makes possible.  Dare to dream, then move.

Action Item: (1) Write out by hand a note of thanks or encouragement to someone that has added value to you.  I’ll bet whoever you choose to write that note to really needs to hear the words you write this week. (2) Do what you can to support local small businesses.  They are suffering from this and adjusting the way they do business, such as focusing on take out and delivery and offering online substitutes, such as fitness centers.

Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 [Full Chapter]

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Romans 1:11-12 English Standard Version (ESV)

11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.

Matthew 6:27

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Matthew 6:34

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Next week we will have an open discussion with 4 couples who are or have transitioned to retirement and talking about what their encore life could or does look like.

Resources:

48 Days Resources: Dan Miller

Bible Gateway

Contact Craig