And the Heroes Rise Up!

“For such a time as this…”

There’s no getting around it…

Life, as we knew it, changed somewhere around early January, 2020.  

Most of us didn’t know it at the time, but change with a capital C for Coronavirus, entered our lives, hiding in plain sight and lying in wait for us to notice. All the while, it was multiplying in an insidiously treacherous way.

The writing on the wall!

The scientists knew. The researchers knew. The epidemiologists knew. 

Many were vocal about its coming, long before January 2020. 

One in particular, the brilliant and savvy, Anthony Fauci, MD, NIAID Director (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases), had dedicated his life’s work to just this type of virus warfare and had been sounding the gong for a long, long time! His worst nightmare, the thing that kept him awake at night, had arrived and was landing on our door knobs and grocery carts from sea to shining sea. 

The Man with the Plan

79 year old Dr. Fauci, is now the truth teller for our country… the man with the scientific plan. He is the voice who softly sets the record straight with the confidence of someone who has long ago eschewed exaggerations and any trace of ego. He is the doctor we all rely on to tell us what is happening and what to do next, all based on scientific evidence. 

He is an interesting mix of a straight shooter and an effective diplomat. He finds a way to save face for any who might get carried away. He links hope from the words of others in a way that calms the listener down and redirects all ears to himself, the bearer of both truth and hope. He makes sense. 

We would do well to listen to his guidance and abide by it.

Wise and brave heroes from our past…

When I hear him speak, I am reminded of both Mordecai and Esther from the book of Esther in the Old Testament.  Mordecai was Esther’s counselor. He advised her to do the right thing even though it was terribly hard and frightening.  Esther shows us bravery in her response which could well have gotten her killed.  The key lines are in Esther 4:14 and 4:16.

This is Mordecai’s counsel.: “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will come from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”  And Esther soon responds with, “I will go to the king. And if I perish, I perish.”

Such wisdom and bravery in such a turbulent time, saved the lives of a nation.

And now…

And now in our own nation, we need to heed the advice of those who bring wisdom and truth to us. 

Dr. Fauci’s story is not over yet. Neither is ours.  

On the other end of this ticking timeline, when all is right again, I hope to tell the rest of this story, the good ending. An ending where we all learn so much from this difficult, unprecedented time. And one where we learn to value the good things in life and in each other.

Meanwhile, other heroes rise up every day across our country and across our world! When heroes rise up, they lift us all up. One by one, we will counter this pandemic with positive moves forward! Piece by piece, we will all rise again.

That story I write will include Ohio’s own “Amazing Amy”, Dr. Amy Acton, the Science Whisperer, whose words lift me up every day. On March 25, she ended by saying “Keep being a force for good.” I will do my best!

We all need to do our part!

At 2:00 PM each day, I sit, listen and take notes while our calm and collected Governor Mike DeWine, leads the way forward. Lieutenant Governor, John Husted provides clear and competent direction for all of Ohio’s businesses. Ohio is incredibly blessed to have these three at our helm!

For now, the job of those on the front lines, is to put on the bravest face and summon an incredible amount of courage. Go out and do the job as best as you can; go home and rest, taking as much care for yourselves as possible.  Our fervent prayers are with you every minute of every day.

For the rest of us, who were asked to “Stay Home, and Stay Safe”, our job is to do just that! Follow the guidelines that the experts tell us. Continue our work, raise and teach our children, cook, clean, and keep our families safe and our faith strong. 

We all need to do our part!  

We also need to be grateful for the guidance that will save our nation. 

In Mark Batterson’s book, The Circle Maker, he says that “It’s hard times that teach us to pray hard.”  

He also says that we should “Work like it depends on us and pray like it depends on God.” His words speak to me today even more than when I first read them. 

We place our hope first in God and then in the men and women He has placed on earth to lead us, “For such a time as this”.

Hope for tomorrow…

There is hope for tomorrow and there is comfort in the blessed assurance of His Word. 

Proverbs 23:18 says “There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.”

Hebrews 6:19  assures “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”

These words are the foundation of faith and hope.

As I reflect on what Around the Table means to me at this time, I understand that my table looks a little different now and those normally around it are miles away. 

They are loved no less. Our tables are not permanently vacant. 

They are merely virtual tables that include our favorite people, minus the extra crumbs and coffee spills. 

For now, my job is to stay here and stay safe…

To work like it depends on me, and pray like it depends on God.  

I have built my faith and am standing on that foundation “for such a time as this.”  

Until the next time…

May you be safe and strong around your tables!