In These Difficult Times March 24

March 24, 2020

 Kate Bowler, a Duke University professor who has faced a severe health challenge for a number of years, writes: “Historically, as suffering mounts, the self-serving always say, look, do the math. Some people are more valuable than others. 

God’s math is clear. God is on the side of the losing team. God, give us the courage to be found there, among the weak, where we belong.”

Checking in with Salvation Army staff and officers today, that’s where I found them, “where we belong.” Grateful for the faithfulness of our brothers and sisters, and praying continued strength and wisdom for the days ahead.

A Prayer

My friend Amy shares this prayer which was read at her wedding:

Keep us, Oh God, from pettiness; let us be large in thought, in word, in deed. 

Let us be done with fault-finding and leave off self-seeking. 

May we put away all pretense and meet each other, face to face, 

without self-pity and without prejudice.
May we never be hasty in judgement and always generous.
Let us take time for all things; make us to grow calm, serene, gentle. 

Teach us to put in action our better impulses - straight forward and unafraid. 

Grant that we may realize it is the little things of life that create difficulties; that in the big things of life we are as one. 

Oh, Lord, let us not forget to be kind. - 
Mary, Queen of Scots

Resources

 One for the kids – Josh Grad (the voice of Olaf from Frozen) reads bedtime stories

https://twitter.com/GMA/status/1239684116334796800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1239686262786670592&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.theliteracysite.greatergood.com%2Fjosh-gad-reading-bedtime-stories-coronavirus%2F

A Touch of Whimsy

 The National Cowboy Museum put their head of security in charge of their Twitter account while the museum is closed. If my dad was still alive, this is what his Twitter would look like!

https://www.boredpanda.com/national-cowboy-museum-head-of-security-twitter/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=stickybar&fbclid=IwAR1EDH0AQeXXfCkwjyssK8aSVqKxY6WqWKUbNhKfYebK9Xhk5dWsNaTK7Wk

Kate Bowler shares a smile with us as well: 

My favorite antidote to fear is absurdity. What ridiculous thing brought you joy today? My son has been wearing an eye patch for four days running. His vision is perfect. (for now).