I am writing to you from day five of my quarantine with COVID-19, and I can tell you right now it is not something you want to get. After now having first-hand experience with the virus, I have an even greater appreciation for all who worked to make vaccines and boosters readily available. From the way my body is reacting, I can tell that I would be much worse for wear if I weren’t fully protected.
Our frontline workers are doing important, life-saving work right now and they deserve our love, our prayers and our unwavering support. When I think of them, I think of how Jesus would heal those who would come to Him. The paralytic (Matthew 9:1- 7), the woman with the 12-year affliction (Mark 5:25-34), the man with leprosy (Matthew 8). Would He not provide healing whenever and wherever He could?
As I isolate out of love for others, I am actively working to remain grateful. I started chronicling at least one moment of joy and gratitude each day as I recuperate.
The flowers my mom dropped off, adding beauty to my space.
The soup a friend made, accompanied by a sweet personalized note.
An at-home yoga video to keep my body moving even when it is hard.
A beach I can walk to to see the sunset.
A book a friend sent, reminding me they care.
Friends who journey to the store for late-night medicinal needs.
Although I am physically isolated, I feel an outpouring of love from those around me. They remind me I’m not alone and that my well-being matters to them.
For someone who loves to be active, it is difficult to let my body rest. But the thing about being sick is, it makes you take that time because it’s what your body needs to recover. I am grateful that I can take this time to get better, because many people are finding they have to go to work, even when they are ill, to make ends meet.
In a world that often places our worth in our productivity, Jesus implores us to do the exact opposite. To Him, we are inherently worthy. Worthy of love, worthy of care, worthy of healing.
“Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:6-7).
This has often been difficult for me to understand because it is so contrary to what we’ve been taught all our lives. Society weighs us by our achievements, how we perform, what we can give others. But, as Christians, we have to actively fight that notion. Humans are worthy simply because they are. They have dignity simply because it is so.
I can’t physically leave my house right now, but my friends and family remind me that my worth does not disappear because I cannot be available to them.
We are precious in His eyes and honored and loved.
We could let COVID-19 be the great isolator, letting it cut down the “less able” and using tropes like “survival of the fittest,” or we could let it be the great unifier—allowing us to understand that we are all human, we are all susceptible to sickness and pain, but that does not make us less worthy of love.
We could all use a little more love these days. So let us be His hands and feet and bring that love to others.
