Dear Editor:
A Few Words of Encouragement
For several months I have felt the need to try to encourage my community, but I have been going through a time of discovery of my own inner most emotions! I really understand how hard it has been on families, friends, and especially the senior citizens to try to understand what we can do about our situation with this serious coronavirus. I have come through so many stages of grief, sadness, concern, feeling so alone, lost in space but with thankfully brief moments of relief (especially when someone I love tested negative). I have tried in all stages to use my faith to handle them, to try to use ‘What Would Jesus Do?’ in the hardest moments, and stay as much as possible in prayer!
While I am waiting for my husband’s test results today, I found a strong need to write this article. I am not sure who it is for, but from my past experiences, I know it is very important for them. I want to let everyone know that you are not alone! Distancing from others is hard, very hard! I have been out of my home only a few times since March! I have taken risks (only a few times) to spend time with my family, special friends, and go to my doctor. My husband has done all the shopping, and many days the cooking, since I don’t seem to have a desire to eat many days. I find days going by with little accomplishments to show, except praying for others and myself.
If you are feeling overly stressed, have a touch of depression, have a hard time getting up in the mornings, can’t seem to do the things you loved to do before, please call someone! I get so much encouragement from a friend who talks to me and just lets me talk about anything. Today may be the day to reach out to someone you haven’t talked to in a while… encourage them while you get encouraged also. I have found that praying for others in need has really lifted my spirits; it’s like a dose of good medicine! I now read the newspaper and pray over the many death notices, pray for their families to find peace and understanding. I have some friends who call for prayer for loved ones, and ones I call to help with prayers for my loved ones.
Remember these words when you are most down, "This too shall pass!" You are here for a purpose! God is always there with you and loves you very much! Right now more people need to be noticed and prayed over than ever before; be that person who loves like Jesus did! Prayer is the best gift you can ever give to someone; it is an everlasting and wonderful service to the Lord. I will always be grateful for these moments of learning how valuable my prayer life has become and how God used me to reach out to the whole world in 2020. Please join me, and also pray for my family and our community! I do know it’s not easy to wear a mask, to stay home unless really necessary to go somewhere, not to be in groups of people other than your household, send others to do your shopping, or get up in the morning with a positive attitude, but you are a very important person, and you will want to see the future beyond this virus, so try.
God bless all of you! Good news is coming and again, "This too shall pass!" Thank you for reading my thoughts for encouragement… please do as I am… send your comments to the - Letters to the Editor-of your local paper.
Donna Harris Brownwood, Texas
Brownwood, Texas