Dear Lydia

I woke up a day or two ago with these thoughts on my mind, and initially they were directed to you, dear Lydia. However, as the morning progressed, I realized that they apply to so many people in my life that it would have to be an open letter, as it were, rather than one shared only with you. Still, I’m not much good if I don’t have a theme to guide me, so I titled this, “Dear Lydia.” Please bear with me.

Dear Lydia (& Other Dear Ones),

As I ponder the circumstances of your senior year coming to a close in such an unusual way from what you had anticipated, I’ve spent many hours contemplating the emotions and thoughts that must be coursing through your heart and mind. Even so, I can’t help but contemplate the many other vagaries of life that have entered your world in the last year. Your sister’s unexpected move out of state, your grandmother’s passing into glory, and now, this global panic over a deadly virus that has all public gathering places closed until further notice.

What excitement we shared last October when our relatives visited from Wisconsin! Watching you compete in a cross-country race, enjoying lunch in Belfast, and playing whiffle ball at the park in Bangor–so much fun! The everyday nature of life steamed ahead. You applied for college, traveled to compete for a scholarship, went to your cousin’s wedding–and then it all screeched to a halt.

COVID-19, the coronavirus, has brought about so-called “unprecedented” lifestyle changes in America. Colleges and schools are closed, with teachers providing learning materials for students to complete at home, or they’re teaching classes online. Graduation ceremonies have been canceled. Only essential businesses remain open, those which provide for material or emergency needs. In three weeks’ time, the world’s strongest economy with only 3.4% unemployment, has seen 18 million people lose their jobs because of COVID-19. Social distancing has becoming the catch phrase of the year, used to indicate the need to keep a certain amount of space between persons to avoid spreading the disease. Another word, one that used to be used primarily in prisons and jails but has found its way into the American lexicon in recent years due to mass shootings, now applies to the entire country: We are in lockdown.

Dear One, you might be tempted to feel as though your world has been turned on its head, and I must admit that I’d be tempted right along with you, but we mustn’t. I’ve a number of reasons why (and yes, I plan to share them with you).

This situation is not unprecedented. Deadly diseases have shut down our country before. In the late 1800s, smallpox killed many and disrupted social and economic interactions. I have a radio talk show I enjoy on my drives home from work, and I often agree with the host, but last week I wanted to reach through the speakers to set him straight about something: President Woodrow Wilson didn’t shut down America during the Spanish Flu outbreak, but he should have, at least in part. Wilson’s willingness to censor the citizenry from the knowledge that public gatherings were a primary means of spreading the deadly outbreak certainly caused greater harm than good. Eventually, Wilson caught the flu and nearly died from it. Also, in the 1930s through the 1950s, polio often caused communities to shut down, creating ghost-town-like atmospheres not unlike what have been observed during the COVID-19 crisis. Lastly, other pandemics have occurred in history that have crippled trade and societies. This is precedented, even though we are not accustomed to it.

What has been disrupted? Our expectations! On what are our expectations based? Previous experience of others and the idea that we should receive similar treatment? This is something that makes me pause. A lot. Because it makes me wonder if I’m expecting…no, that’s not the word for it…it makes me wonder if I think I deserve something to be a certain way. But what do I know about what I deserve?

I’m going to leave that there for a moment, because you’re smart, and I think you can get the drift of where I’m going. I’ll get there either way, but think on it. A pastor I knew several years ago told me once that one of the major reasons that people have conflict comes from “unmet expectations.” He said that when communication breaks down, expectations don’t get expressed, and then they go unmet. Conflict arises, and it doesn’t get repaired until they go back to the root of failed communication and see where their expectations of each other weren’t met.

I can only imagine that you might have unmet expectations regarding the end of your senior year. However, if you do, I urge you to consider this: In this life, you, as a child of the King, are promised that He is with you, that He is sufficient for all your needs, and that He knows the plans He has for you, to prosper you and not to harm you. Nothing can separate you from His love in Christ Jesus our Lord. You are promised suffering and trials for the sake of Christ. Like the Apostle Paul, you can consider all this world’s gain as loss for the sake of the glory of God. Has God failed you? Has God not lived up to your expectations?

We deserve condemnation, but God has given us mercy. In His mercy, He has given us His Son, who has conquered death–He is risen! Alleluia!–will He not also graciously give us all else we need for life and godliness by His Spirit?

So, what does COVID-19 have on us? Fear? “Perfect love casts out fear.” We take the necessary precautions, of course, but has this disease stolen Christ from us? NO! Romans 8 tells us that clearly. This condition is difficult. The storm here in Maine this week was difficult. Losing power has been difficult. Dealing with downed trees has been difficult. Not congregating with fellow believers and friends has been difficult. Not being allowed to see family has been difficult. The Quarantine has been difficult. There is no question about that! But Dear Christian Siblings, it is time that we stop bemoaning the loss of this world’s comforts and trappings, and start rejoicing in our Savior. This world needs to see that He is worth knowing, especially in a time such as this.