Corona Virus. Covid-19. Wu Flu. China Syndrome. Whatever you choose to call it, it’s real. Whether you’re lucky, like me, to have avoided it all together, or battled Covid personally, all our lives have been forever changed by this pandemic of fear. My little high desert town in Northwestern Nevada had been a safe haven in the early months of the virus. Lots of sunshine and fresh air. A small population. Not many restaurants or venues where the virus could spread. Very few cases. Until now.
Church. If you go, you know. My church family are close and huggable. Each week, we become better friends, clinging to each other for support. Something evil and horrible hit our church 14 days ago leaving everyone shaken in disbelief. The pastor almost lost his wife.
Two weeks ago, my world was different, too. Situations can change drastically in two weeks. Crossroads appear and paths change. Such is life, and so it goes.
Bible study at Baptist on Main rocks. Held four times a week, it’s fascinating to learn about history, stories, and life lessons. To say our Pastor holds fluid knowledge of the Word doesn’t even begin to cover it. He is a walking and talking Bible study, painting scripture into the most marvelous verbal murals. Miss “Let-Us-Pray (Miss LUP)” teaches two of the classes. In her 70’s, she shares life lesson’s from a widowed woman’s point of view. All fulfilling and just what I need that this time in my life.
Two Sunday’s ago, the usual’s weren’t at Bible Study. When Pastor C came in, he was very, very ill. A greyish-red skin tone. Sick beyond sick. He and at least ten others had gotten Covid. The entire choir was wiped out. Miss LUP was down for the count. In fact, so many were sick, the church doors were locked. All services were canceled for the week.
For the last two weeks, our church has been praying for the pastor’s wife. Complications led to hospitalization. Do-Not-Resuscitate hospitalization leaving our Pastor for 12 hour vigils at his wife’s bedside. Deep in his own silence, he found himself praying in a way only a loving husband or wife can understand. Begging for a healing he also accepted that God might have other plans.
For days his nightmare continued until he finally prayed for God’s will to be done. His wife started to recover. Each day, she works at finding her way back to health, but healing is slow. Other recovering members have also returned to their activities. Some members are slow to return to normal, while none of us are quite the same as we were just two weeks ago.
Yesterday, we celebrated the return of our beloved Pastor. Tears fell as he personally chose hymns declaring heartful devotion, gratitude and praise for our God. His sermon held a heartfelt story of a hospital nightmare personal and raw. A recovery slow, painful, and yet so very beautiful. What a blessing and testament to faith, trust, and mercy of our God. Their love story brought back back memories of my life with VST. Through God’s grace, memories are such a comfort to this grieving gardener.
Some things have died in the past two weeks. But, hope, faith, trust, and love are alive and well. Time heals all wounds. Please prayer for our Pastor’s wife. She is a beautiful and courageous woman. Pray for our church. Our community. Our world. Prayer is a silent yet most powerful healer.