Mental Health Monday

Nebraska is going to slowly begin lifting restrictions. Madison County, where I live, will respond more slowly. Madison, our county seat, is home to a meat-packing plant, & there have been quite a few cases there. Madison is about 20 miles south of Norfolk.

Of all the restrictions, I hope the one involving travel will be lifted soonest. Both Lois & I are getting restless (stir-crazy?). Yesterday we began talking about a road trip to the Nebraska Panhandle later in May. This would include Fort Robinson State Park, which we last visited in 2000. However, it's unclear whether the state park is open yet or will be open. So we decided to patiently(?) wait.

I have mixed feelings about lifting restrictions. Our cases in Nebraska are continuing to rise. One of the governor's criterion is the capacity of hospitals to handle coronavirus cases. The capacity of state hospitals appears to be more adequate, but what if lifting restrictions causes a surge in cases? 

I also think that I'm probably in a high risk category. I'm 67-years-old, & I have a slight case of emphysema. I don't find myself worrying overmuch, because Lois & I have pretty much socially distanced ourselves. Lois goes to pick-up groceries at Wal-mart & Hy-Vee twice a week or so. I go to Hy-vee to pick up prescriptions whenever necessary. I also go to physical therapy 3X per week. And we've been ordering food for pick-up on Fridays. I go to pick up the food. We have "church" on Sunday mornings, as our congregation continues to live-stream services on Facebook.

So, I suppose we will continue to be as patient as possible. My prayer is that the Lord would deliver us from this pandemic & life would return to "normal" as soon as possible.

WILLING ACCEPTANCE

In an age marked by fear, terror, chaos, and the seeming randomness of events, Jesus extends the invitation of willed acceptance. It is an acceptance not found in stoic submission to a determined destiny, but a rest forged from listening for the whisperer in the whirlwind. Not a static surety, but a dynamic trust in the God who declares, “I AM WHAT I AM” and “I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE.”  Margaret Manning Shull, Slice of Infinity