May you and your students experience God’s goodness just when and how it’s needed, today. You have “tested positive” in a pandemic. That’s how I KNOW the aforementioned list is not theoretical. Or an in-person “6-feet of separation” patio visit. Almost every day, I receive a personal text or email, sometimes a phone call. Since my move to Charlottesville, growing new friendships is made more difficult by the virus-so I really appreciate hearing from you-whether a prayer request or a response to one of many recent emails. I know there are things I have forgotten or overlooked that put you into the “testing positive” category. This list is just off the top of my head. *You are marking milestones in creative ways, trying to soften the blow of missed events. * You are compelled by love and compassion to write letters, cards and send care packages you drop off a meal or run an errand for an essential worker short on time or too exhausted you support local businesses so they don’t go under you donate resources like food or finances above and beyond your customary gifts to help the hurting. * You spend dedicated time praying for not only your own students but anyone impacted by the virus the sick and dying and those who love them health care workers struggling with stress and isolation (see the beautiful prayer written by a mom of a UVA nurse at the end of this post) Class of 2020 HS and college grads not able to enjoy traditional last rites of passage students losing internships new graduates up against a very difficult job market good people formerly employed but furloughed or laid off teetering on the brink of financial disaster. (I love you for noticing the “silver lining” in all the darkness and invite you to share your own silver lining story by adding a comment at the end of this post.) * You choose to see things through your Father’s eyes “Eyes that find the good in things, When good is not around Eyes that find the source of help, When help just can’t be found.” You did this by sheer force of will at times, but more often, it organically sprung up from daily meditating on God’s truth, then bringing any stinkin’ thinkin’ throughout your day captive to Christ and allowing Him to readjust your attitude. You may even have welcomed someone else’s sons or daughters into your home when their own homes lie across an ocean or extenuating circumstances made going home more difficult. You sacrificed a room or reconfigured a quiet place for doing online classes. * You welcomed home your students ahead of schedule, provided a shoulder to cry on, kept food in their bellies, clean clothes on their backs. Checking off just one of these items puts you in the “testing positive” category-and many of you are headed toward hearing, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” I’d like to commend you for all you have already done and encourage you not to give up. Maybe you didn’t always feel like it, and maybe you didn’t always follow through, and it ain’t over yet, but from what I have heard-you passed, you are passing and I have faith that you will keep passing this test. You have chosen to think, speak, and act in ways that pass this test of faith-with love and creativity. You have “tested positive” in the middle of a pandemic.
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