Random Thoughts

      Random thoughts and blessings from self-quarantine due to the Covid19 virus. 

     For most of the two past weeks I have been fighting a double ear infection. Remotely my doctor ordered the correct medications for me and daughter picked them up. This has given me the unprecedented opportunity to completely rest and heal. 

     Being at home doesn't bother me. I have plenty to do within these walls where love resides and so does the Spirit. My sewing and craft supplies are abundant, my bookshelves filled and the pantry is in good shape. When we are prepared, we have no need to fear. The source of fear is evil anyway.

     Finally, thanks to this worldwide health crisis, I have discovered and LOVE the Walmart grocery pickup app. Why I continued to fight the crowds, and put myself through much pain and discomfort due to unresolved back issues, I will never know. Perhaps it is my independent nature. My daddy used to tell me, "Lou, you're as independent as a hog on ice." Now quite honestly I'm not sure that I still understand just what that phrase means, but I have tried to picture myself helping a hog on ice . . . and it's not necessarily a pretty picture, but, he was correct in that I am the most independent of his five children.

     The hysteria about the virus along with panic buying and hoarding has broken my heart. Such a crisis should be drawing us into greater unity by being more charitable and kind to one another. My opinion: selfishness is the root cause. 

     Another thing that I have done is to unfriend on Facebook a number of whiners and complainers. The most irritating to me have been those who justify why they are the exception and can come and go as they please.  It is all justified  because:

     1 - I am healthy as a horse and never get sick! (What about those you may be passing the virus onto since there are no symptoms yet high contagion for two full weeks?) Response: "Oh, I wash my hands a LOT!" 

     2 - I'm just a social person and I'm not going to live like a hermit. (Okay, but is it alright for you to potentially spread this to others who might end up dying like a hermit?)

     3 - My husband HAS to go to work and he goes into peoples homes every day. (He has to go to work because you keep him broke by having every penny spent before payday consistently and continually posts every detail of how broke they are for all the world to see.)

     4 - My child is social too and so I'm not going to make him miss swim and birthday parties just because there is one or two cases of the virus in our county. (Do you see where I'm going and why this frustrates me?)

     5 - We have plenty of food and toilet paper because that's what our church leaders taught us to do to be prepared. (What about the other part of their counsel? In the very same sentence they asked us to store food, to get out and stay out of debt and to have regular scripture study and prayer individually and with our families.  RESPONSE: What other part? UGH)

      6- I have to go to Walmart, Target and Costco every day so I know what they're out of. (What? I thought you were prepared. I mean you brag about how much stuff you have stored so everybody knows where to get things when they run out, right?)

      As my Uncle Don once said, "I'd rather be thought a fool than to open my mouth and prove it."

     My heart truly aches for people who really don't understand their purpose on this earth. It is not to be entertained always and forever folks but rather to serve and lift others. 

     Anyway as I continued to interface with others over this crisis it quickly became apparent who loved their neighbor and who loved themselves most. Some simply don't care who gets sick because of their selfish pride and worldly desires. 

     I've never unfriended anyone because they have a different political or religious view than I do, however blatant selfishness and self-justification irritate my spirit. So I prayerfully made the decision to eliminate those few who just didn't get it and didn't want to get it. Some have every excuse in the book why they are the exception . . . but that simply doesn't wash. 

     Social media is an important resource for me as I am almost entirely housebound as a caregiver but nobody has the time to constantly explain and reexplain simple facts and concepts to an audience only interested in themselves and their desires. 

     As I unfriended the first name, I felt a twinge of remorse as if I was being rude or needed to try harder to persuade the ignorant and uninformed know-it-alls. However as peace was restored to my own soul I immediately felt liberated. Prayer for this person and others who are like-minded will be continued.

     Being consistently patient and tolerant of others I love to gently teach and assure them there is no need for fear, but as peace settled on my spirit and the conviction came as I prayed to know whether or not to let them go lessened my stress level exponentially It was obviously the right decision for me and my own spiritual, mental and physical well-being. 

     Some folks just want to be right and I want to do whatever is in my power to encourage and uplift them, but the time has come to eliminate anything that drains us of peace. I have no fear but I am concerned about the human race as in my opinion as prophesied the Lord is truly separating the sheep from the goats. Earthquakes, storms and trials increase during the last days. It is time for each of us to get and keep our own houses in order for we will indeed require the companionship of the Holy Spirit in these days. Afterall, the Son is shining and our future is brighter than one might think.