And Let God Do The Rest

When I learned that the coronavirus could and would severely affect those with heart disease, my initial thought was, “oh GREAT!” I tend to be a bit of an anomaly already in the heart world, and I thought the last thing I needed was this. Ironically, I had a heart appointment in Ann Arbor on March 13, a day after someone from U of M was diagnosed with it. When I walked into the office, it felt intense, even though I was at a different building. Chairs were in front of the receptionists to keep us 6 feet away. Many wearing masks. Patients outraged, swearing, with arms flailing. First, I was a bit appalled by their responses, thinking for pete’s sake, it’s not their fault. Second, it made me realize for the first time, that maybe this really is something serious.

On the drive home, I couldn’t help but replay the events of the day in my head. Thinking back to the anger and frustration of some parents. Reflecting on how this affects each of us differently. But all I could keep coming back to were the promises of God. I am asked often how I feel about all of this, which I can understand why because indeed, I am labeled as “high-risk.” But I hope in all of this, no matter where you are on the spectrum of fear or risk, that you can hold these promises close to you as well.

God isn’t surprised.

God knew since the beginning of time, that this was all going to go down. In fact, he allowed it. The whys, we may not ever fully know, but what we do know is that HE KNOWS. He’s not surprised that this hits some people groups more than others. He’s not surprised by the death toll. I believe it grieves him. Yet at the same time, he takes that grief and turns it into something beautiful. What that is, I don’t know. But all I know is that he isn’t surprised, that he sees absolutely everything happening, and that HE has this grand ole plan in the making, for the good, and for his glory.

The very God who knows the number of hairs on my head, also is in charge of my days.

This is the truth I cling to. This may seem like an odd perspective, but I carry much freedom in knowing that I don’t number my days. Nor does a virus. Nor does heart disease. GOD does. Heart disease doesn’t rule my life, even though I allow it to at times. But GOD is the one in charge of my days. I can do nothing to change it and I can do nothing to influence it. I can’t change God’s mind and so why try with my worries about how I think something should go? He knows my days. I’ll leave it up to him.

I will take the best care of the temple I can and God will take care of the rest.

God has commanded us to care for the temple, our bodies. I will do the best I humanly can to do so, and I will leave the rest up to God. I will not go around licking my hands, testing him. I will do what I can to protect myself, but I will also leave the rest up to God. And let me tell you, there is an incredible amount of freedom and peace in that! Do my best and let God do the rest.

God always has a good purpose, even if our circumstances don’t seem right.

If God allows me to get corona, or any other disease for that matter, it’s for his good purposes, even though it won’t be easy. Dan and I have had some very candid conversations about death. Hours before an open heart surgery, we talked about what I dreamed for Mazy and him, if I didn’t make it. And those conversations have happened more than once because the reality of our mortality in this life. It has been very tangible to us. YET. BUT. DESPITE. God ALWAYS has a good purpose and we have to see all challenges in life that way! Even the most grievous moments. When we can live life with a complete dependence on him, and not on ourselves, we will see his grace abound all the more. His grace becomes sufficient and our fears are displaced with his love.

Grief is a moment – eternity is forever.

The coronavirus has caused an incredible amount of events to be cancelled and schedules to be cleared. It makes me sad to look at the little things I’ve had to cross off our calendar that I was looking forward to. I think about those who are seniors in high school or college. I think about those who planned to get married. Go on a honeymoon. Even have a baby (I know, no stopping that, but the concern, all the more). Or have someone pass away, but not be allowed to spend time with those closest. We can grieve and like I said, I think God does too. But my friend, we have to remember this one thing. This is but a moment. A MOMENT. I think back to the things I’ve missed due to hospitalizations, and I’ve shed plenty of tears over it all. But when I keep the perspective that it is but a moment, and that eternity is on the horizon, it washes all of those tears away. Grief truly is but a moment because God has conquered every aspect of “death” we may experience. The death of a dream, the death of not being able to experience something, and even more so, the death of a loved one. But rest assured, the day is coming where there will be no darkness at all. AT ALL. And we will live free. FOREVER.

I’m not sure where your level of fear is right now. Where your worry barometer is. What frustrations you carry daily. What you are grieving. So let me encourage you to keep going. Don’t lose sight of the bigger picture. We are being told what to think by everyone around us and those voices are LOUD. Sometimes we have to listen to the still small voice of our Savior and it will drown out every other noise in our life.