Some tossed her thoughtful gifts, like potting soil and toilet paper, which were hard to come by in the early days of the lockdown. Where is ordinary time? May they know your protection and peace. var addthis_share = addthis_share || {} The Jesus Prayer. Advent passed through its four weeks. There's nothing wrong with celebrating alone. So, I posted love poems around the house the night before, baked his mothers famous chocolate cake, and organized a surprise Zoom birthday ritual with a few close friends holding candles and sending heartfelt wishes to him. Give them the wisdom to invest in long-term solutions that will help prepare for or prevent future outbreaks. Maybe it helpsto imaginethis timeas a dousingof gasolinetossed onto ouralready steadyburning flamesofpurpose and love. It just made me feel so joyful.. 1There is a season for everything, a time for every occupation under heaven. But there does not have to be disease of the soul. But how do weset our world on firein this age of sickness,uncertainty,and fear. A New Normal will hopefully be emerging soon. Who do you avoid or refuse to see? Prayer for a New Normal The World as we knew it is gone, and for what feels like such a long time we have experienced so much hardship during this Pandemic. Thank you for always providing me with hope, encouragement, joy, and support. My faith in God is what's giving me hope in the midst of this pandemic. Good-bye and good luck! The ordinary ways of working and providing and living have disappeared for many. - Author requested to remain anonymous, May we who are merely inconvenienced, remember those whose lives are at stake.May we who have no risk factors remember those most vulnerable.May those who have the luxury of working from home remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent.May those who have the flexibility to care for our children when schools close remember those who have no options.May we who have to cancel a trip remember those who have no safe place to go.May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market remember those who have no margin at all.May those who settle for quarantine at home remember those who have no home.As fear grips our country, let us choose love during this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other, let us find ways to be the loving embrace to God and our neighbor. But there can always be a rebirth of love. Prayers for Strength during the Coronavirus Pandemic 1. Open my eyes and let me see them as You see them! The year that taught us to minimize. - ByAshley Henkes, Hall Director, Residence Life. Hope all of your wishes come true, and then some. An amazing friend deserves an amazing day. Thank you for all the people who remembered me today by sending cards, and letters, gifts and good wishes. Promise this world your lovefor better or for worse,in sickness and in health,so long as we all shall live. Many recent events in my work here on campus got me to thinking about endings and beginnings about change. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick. My friends dont see or hear or know; nor do my family; nor my colleagues. } As we transition through this time we pray: One day at a time sweet Jesus.That's all that I ask of you.Lord help me today.Show me the way.One day at a time. Breathing deeply of your calm, I repeat, again and again, You are here. Good and gracious Companion, my family and friends need tranquility and assurance. We are certain that you will provide, so that, as you did at Cana of Galilee,joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial. This ordinary time is marked also by deep economic hardship for many. We asked for wisdom, and you gave us problems to solve. Throughout my life, you have showered me with love, laughter, and support. God of hope, may your love blanket the earth, as you teach us to live more generously today than yesterday. Amber was able to celebrate while still saying safe and distanced. You at least had more. Racial disparity. Father please hear us when we tell You of our concerns of sending our children and educators back to school. What connections to others are you becoming more aware of? The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate. - Oprah Winfrey, Today you are you. In Action For you never leave us. I cannot sense if you are pleased with me or if you are waiting for me to do much better. We look forward to all that You still have in store. Birthdays apparently help us to put our "old self" behind us in favor of a future, evolving self, which aids us in moving forward on our life path. I became a little famous in the neighborhood, says Amber. For others its from a deep sense of your true self. It might take a little more organizing effort during lockdown to do something that will resonate with the celebrant and still keep everyone safe from harm. This pandemic was not the defining event for our class. I pause (breathe in and out) and resolve to love myself more tomorrow. Yes there is panic buying.Yes there is sickness.Yes there is even death. For her birthday on March 31, Sarah Solomon made the best of the circumstances as she was sheltering in place. //