Over the weekend I developed a cold. Congested, cough, sore throat. Nothing major, but no one wants to risk others. So I went to the church early Sunday and filmed the welcome, prayer time, and message. All alone I hit record then hurried to the stage. As I rushed back to hit stop, I wondered how are we going to navigate the days ahead?

That afternoon I contacted the Heath Department for a Covid Test. It would take 24-72 for a return call to set an appointment (took 36hrs, Tuesday morning). So on Monday I called my doctor and had a video appointment. They don’t have Covid tests in office, but was able to set up an appointment late that afternoon at the hospital. Drive up, twirl a q-tip in each nostril for 15 seconds, and results… in 24-72 hours. (My job is flexible, but how can others wait so long — skipping work — when it might not even be covid?!)

How will we navigate this fall? When strep strikes, or the flu, or just a common cold… my family shares illness better than anything! The first thought will be Covid. Everyone around us will take a step back, sending us into quarantine.

The Fall and Winter will be difficult. Often frustrating. With real complaints. For some, real tragedy. It is apparent we weren’t prepared for a pandemic. And the grand plan still seems to hinge on the virus disappearing.

My response — besides wearing a mask — is to get angry and rant. Others, seem to accept the “grand plan” and pretend it doesn’t exist (or imagine conspiracy). But on Sunday I was reminded of another reaction.

When the pandemic began I wrote cards, door dropped, sent texts… each week I planned to send encouragement. But over time I have slowed down. This Sunday I was encouraged. Now I hope… in between my rants… I can send encouragement to help others navigate this fall.