A Norvell Note 2020
Vol. 22 No. 21 | May 25, 2020
Writing during COVID has been difficult.
While I am adjusting to and enjoying the calm and slower pace, my previous varied routine stimulated more thoughts and helped stir my imagination. Now, my mind drifts away more (and my mind is prone to wandering).
Knowing how to choose new and refreshing words that encourage and offer hope is harder now, too. So much has been and is being said (some worthwhile, some worthless), and phrases like “We are in this together” and “We’ll get through this together” seem a bit trite at this point.
Even writing about my writing woes seems minor compared to what so many others are coping with: those who are honoring and mourning their loved ones who died serving our country; business and church leaders wrestling to determine the safest means of reopening; families that have lost a loved one during this time and must wait weeks or months for a memorial service; doctors and nurses who continue to care for patients with limited resources and less than ideal conditions…
And yet, I write, remembering the true meaning of the phrase “labor of love.” And I do my best to remember that our struggles and suffering are temporary. And yes, we will get through this together, but only if we must keep our hearts open and eyes focused on the gifts that remain and the blessings that are to come.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NIV)
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