Last July, Janet and I both came down with Covid. Undoubtedly, I was the one who brought it into our home. It started innocently enough. Near Chicago, an obstetrician doctor friend, who I had been mentoring, died of a heart attack just prior to delivering a baby. It was, of course, a terrific tragedy and his friends, in conjunction with his family, arranged for a celebration of life service several months later. From the moment I entered the event, it was clear to me that people had failed to wear masks and practice social distancing. As much as I wanted to attend, if I knew then what I know now, I probably would have passed.
As it happened, I was present and several days later, after I returned home, I felt lousy – then Janet started experiencing similar symptoms. Neither of us had an easy time with Covid. Thankfully, we eventually felt better and that bad experience drifted into the background. The sore throat, fever, cough, sore ribs and headaches all faded away as we recovered our health.
Then, more than a month ago, I started with the familiar feeling of congestion, a little more coughing and headaches. However, I tested negative for Covid… Feeling under the weather lasted several weeks but I would have sworn that I was having another Covid episode.
Yesterday, things changed again. The same symptoms as a month ago, but once the headache started, I decided to test myself again and this time there was no doubt – that thin little blue line next to the red line confirmed that I was Covid positive. Janet felt great, but decided to test “just in case…” Well, we were both positive. Thankfully she feels just fine and I am much more of a hot mess. The sore throat is the worst part of it this time but I also have those other familiar symptoms.
My mindset is much different this time as well. The first time I was somewhat afraid and could clearly identify the when and where of my exposure. But this time, I have no idea. People tend not to wear masks anymore, social distancing seems to be a thing of the past and it looks by and large like we have accepted a random case of Covid as something that is now mainstream in our society. There are even discussions about combining our annual flu shots with a Covid booster each fall.
The thing that I always realize when I am sick is that I tend to take my health for granted. I expect to feel well and and know, with aging, that I don’t have the stamina that I used to have and can’t do everything that I used to do…
One other thing that I should mention is that I am a horrible patient. I don’t get sick often but when I do, I generally get pretty ill and I can’t wait until I’m better. Tonight’s verse is very appropriate for the way that I feel – anxious and ready for this to be over. This theme is very evident in the psalms where the writers openly express their emotions on whatever lament or praise they offer to God.
The psalmist tells us, in Psalm 6:2-3, “Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am faint; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in anguish. How long, O LORD, how long?” That about sums it up for me tonight… how much longer, Lord? My encouragement is that God answers prayer and I am praying about feeling better. My specific prayer is that the impact of Covid, other illnesses and diseases will be minimized so that we can all experience a more pleasant, healthier life here on earth. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…