A favorite scripture of mine is Romans 8:28: “All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” Of course, we don’t always recognize those good things when we are going through trials and crises. It often takes time and wisdom brought through life experiences for us to look back and see the blessings that came from them.
But there are also things we can see as blessings in the midst of the storm.
This time of sheltering-in-place has inspired some to pursue their passions when they might otherwise not have time because of work or school schedules. Some are now enjoying this respite to exercise their God-given talents.
Here is a prime example – a poem – Pandemic of Love — written by a friend of mine, Susan White.
What if there was a pandemic of hope
a widespread outbreak of love?
What would that do for our broken world
and the kingdom brought down from above?
But not just any love
not selfish or inward or vain
But the kind that poured down from heaven
as an abundant offering
Pure and gentle and open
full of tender, loving grace
It would mean there’d be no suffering
without a hand in place
No hunger that wouldn’t be wiped out
with the abundance that the world hoards
There’d be more than enough to go ’round
and even enough to store
Children wouldn’t be beaten
abducted or taken as slaves
There’d be no refugee camps
because war would have no place
When droughts and tornadoes happened
there would be plenty of help on the way
The comfort of knowing there’s people
Ready to step into your space
And if there was an outbreak
of love for this beautiful earth
Then people would love and respect it
and not trash it until it’s hurt
What a difference we’d make
for the kingdom being built here on earth
How God’s eyes would shine with emotion
that we finally got “The Word”
So if you are feeling discouraged
overwhelmed and sunken in doubt
Open your eyes and look outward
there are plenty of places about
Begin with a prayer and go from there
as God infuses your heart
Then go back for refueling
whenever you need a kickstart
For God so love the world
that He sent His only son
He wanted to show us His mercy
and His redeeming heart of love
It was not in futility
but with hopeful open arms
That all would come into His house
and enter our heavenly home
Start at home with your loved ones
especially the difficult ones
Go to work and spackle your love
on the cracks and the wounded hearts
For there never is a shortage
of damaged hurting souls
Every person that you meet
needs kindness and gentle words
You don’t have to preach a sermon
your actions speak louder than words
You may not say “I’m a Christian”
but your love in action should
For what more would Jesus ask of you
but to show who He is without words
For words are easy to mess up
or be misunderstood
But a loving heart and smile
bring comfort to a lonely soul
From there on hope would travel
on its own wide open road
Across the sea and around the world
each sharing the promised land
No hunger, no heartbreak, no heartache
just open loving hands
If disease can spread around the world
to all of humankind
Let’s show how love and hope can
one person at a time
” You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone, but on the tablets of human hearts.”
2Corinthians 3:3