Milly’s world awakes in a dreamscape.  The darkness of five a.m. gives way to the streaks of sunrise.  The days run together as I repeat the same routine every day.  It is hard to remember it is a workday, a Wednesday.

I’m not under a true medical quarantine, but it sure feels like it.  The only cough I have is from allergies.  The sun shines brightly as the day heats.  I stay behind my walls, only leaving to forage for the family.

My journey feels stagnated.  My contacts have become digital.  I’ve learned to use zoom for my meetings, my cell phone is a form of human contact.  Text messages, calls, and emails fly through the air.  My only true physical contact is my husband, sons, chiropractor, and physical therapist.

The world has shifted as we follow the leaders into the unknown.  If I wander away from the pack, I get yanked back with a retort or a sharp word.  Don’t get too close!  Because God forbid we are close enough to touch or whisper encouraging thoughts.

I spent time this week pondering the healing power of touch.  Babies can die if there is no human contact.  Sometimes a friend just needs a hug, not words, just a hug.  A good handshake can seal the deal.

We describe a touch from God as healing us from sins, disease, unease, and fears.  Ah fears… there it is.  The real reason we seclude ourselves.  We stay far away from each other.  When we must be near others the gloves and masks come out.

I get it.  No one knows how this superbug virus will affect them.  The symptoms range from none to death.  That’s pretty scary.  Do we pause from living?  I can understand setting ourselves apart for a short time; time to reflect and refocus.  How long before the good we do becomes extreme?

Do we allow our fears to eat us alive inside?  Do we ignore the lonely and hurting?  Lock them in their houses?  Are we like Scrooge in Charles Dickens’, ‘A Christmas Carol?’ When he says:

“If they would rather die, . . . they had better do it and decrease the surplus population.”

Is this what we have become?  No!  Not for those who follow the one true God!  What has God got to say about this situation?

In Psalms 23:4 David sings:

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

David was a man after God’s own heart.  He knew God walked with him through the valley of the shadow of death.  We walk through that valley now.  While we may not be sick, death overshadows our lives.  It waits for the fear to overtake us to weaken us before it strikes.

Jesus encouraged in Matthew 10:31:

“Do not fear, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

What about John in I John 4:18:

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”

Paul teaches in Romans 8:15:

“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.””

These are just a few; over and over the scriptures tell us there is no fear in God.  He is love, freedom, and light.  No fear!  Wisdom, yes, but let’s not allow fear seep into our lives.  I will respect your distance, but I will not accept your fear.

Turn off the news.  Go outside and take a breath of fresh, God-given air.  Smile at your neighbors and thank God for being here today.  Drink in His Presence.  Tell Him what is bothering you right now.  Not tomorrow, just for today.  Pray, Pray, Pray!  If they require us to be apart from our neighbors and family remember, our Higher Power calling you closer.  His touch heals you.  Have a conversation with Him.

When you run out of things to say, be still for a moment; soak in the Love of the Almighty.  Then pray for everyone that comes to mind; neighbors, family, the dying, the sick, medical professionals, ministers, the sinners, and the saints in all of this.

Here is who I found I could pray for:  Bored children; lonely grandparents, a harried mom in the store; the student with virtual school and no toilet paper; a person covered in gloves and masks with terror in her eyes; the owner of a business that won’t survive; a man who just lost his job; unsure leaders making drastic decisions; and researchers frantically looking for the truth.

The list goes on all day, everyone I see and hear about.  Join me in whispering a quick prayer for their healing, welfare, truth, integrity, and love, above all, pray for God’s Love in their lives.

Every prayer for another no matter how small lifts our love to God’s ears.  We don’t have to know or even like the person, we are just called to love them as ourselves (Mark 12:31).  Let’s fill the heavens with prayer and love while we walk in the valley of the shadow of death.

God bless you with His Healing Touch and Love,

Milly

P.S.  I had the idea to write about my experience in this government-imposed quarantine, but couldn’t find the words for three days.  Yesterday I asked the Holy Spirit to give me the words and bless this writing.  When I started I envisioned this surreal world I am living in right now and wrote the opening paragraph.

Then the Holy Spirit stirred and I could not write fast enough.  An hour past my bedtime I saw I had written 1095 words.  I wasn’t even sure what I wrote.  It had something to do with love, fear, shadow, and prayer.  Peace settled over me as I climbed into bed.  I thanked God for the words.  Today I corrected, edited, and marveled at the message he gave me.  I hope you find this peace in this message just like I did.

P.S.S. All scripture is from the New King James Version.