Grateful or Grumbling? How Are We Handling the Pandemic?

In five weeks I get to hug my mom and dad again. 

I haven’t hugged them since March 8, 2020, the day we celebrated Dad’s 84th birthday. It was the last day we gathered as a four-generation family. 

If I’d know it would be the last family celebration we’d enjoy in almost a year, we’d have lingered over cake. Poured another cup of coffee. Hugged harder. 

But in five weeks we’ll have the immunity (and the freedom) to hug responsibly. Hug responsibly—who would have thought this term would ever enter our vocabulary? Yet here it is. 

This isn’t a post about vaccines, so please don’t leave me unkind comments. I've already been told that my legs are going to turn black and fall off, the only vaccine I need is Jesus, and that I’ve sold my soul to the antichrist. 

I know not everyone feels comfortable with the vaccine. I respect your right to pray, do your research, and make the best decision possible for your family. Thank you for doing the same toward me.

Today I want to write about gratitude, because my heart is full of it.

I’m grateful God has preserved our immediate family. We know families who haven’t been so fortunate, and my heart grieves with you.

I’m grateful for the approximately 46 meals my husband and I have shared with my parents—outside, on their deck, every Saturday night since March. 

We bring groceries and share socially distant but emotionally close meals together. We've sweated through the summer and shivered through the winter, but we’ve also enjoyed many beautiful evenings out under the stars. 

We’ve played games like Jeopardy and I Should Have Known That. Broken out the vinyl and sang along with Elvis and Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. Listened to Dad’s Navy stories about saluting John F. Kennedy and strapping on a sidearm to escort a criminal to the brig. Mom has shared memories, too, about first cousins, first dates, and first homes. 

I’m grateful for the unhurried time we’ve had together. 

I’m grateful for every piece of PPE I’ve worn in the last ten months, no matter how much I've grumbled while wearing it. Masks, goggles, face shields, gowns. They’ve kept my coworkers and me safe during thousands of dental procedures on a host of unmasked patients. None of our staff has gotten infected, and we’ve kept our patients safe. 

I’m grateful for God’s protection. 

I’m grateful for God’s provision, too. My husband was furloughed for three and a half months when the country shut down. I've worked limited hours. We’ve quarantined twice after exposures. Several of my speaking engagements were cancelled, and the magazine I edited suspended publication, yet no bill went unpaid. 

I’m grateful for technology that allows us to share game nights, Bible studies, and Sunday morning services. A good Sunday at our little church in pre-COVID days would find twenty people in the pews. Thanks to Facebook Live, we’ve ministered to people in Rhode Island, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Texas, and who knows where else. Multiply this by hundreds of thousands of churches broadcasting their services beyond the walls of their buildings, and we see how the gospel is reaching the uttermost corners of the world. 

I’m grateful God’s work is never hindered, and His Word never returns void. Eternity will reveal how many people have placed their faith in Christ during this pandemic. 

Finally, I’m grateful for God, who never changes, never fails, and never abandons us. 

Isaiah 43 says it all: 

"But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: 

'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. 

When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 

For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.'"

I’ve read many posts spotlighting what 2020 and the pandemic has taken from us. 

I could have written one. 

Instead, I'm choosing to push back the darkness of despair by shining the light of gratitude. 

And looking forward to those hugs.

How about you? 

I’d love to hear what you’re grateful for as you look back on 2020 and the pandemic. Leave a comment and share your thoughts. 

How's your commitment to read the Bible through this year? 

Do you need a resource to help you along?

Does Your Faith Need Refreshing?

That's in the Bible? I've never noticed that before!

It's probably been too long since you've newly discovered a story that speaks to your soul or a verse that pops with truth. But that's about to change!


Refresh Your Faith contains 66 culturally relevant, story-driven devotions, one from each book of the Bible. Each real-life story spotlights an unusual verse or Bible passage that you may have overlooked in your usual Bible reading. Lori Hatcher challenges you with additional features like an uncommon thought to ponder; an unusual faith action step; and an unfamiliar passage suggestion for additional Bible reading.

When the fabulous has become familiar and your quiet times are more like nap times, it's time to step out of spiritual boredom and ignite the spark that will keep you growing. No matter where you are on your faith journey, Lori's conversational and engaging style will challenge you to think about things you've never thought about before.

“Real-life inspiration and candid wit. These 5-minute devotions will change your life.” —Psychologist and best-selling author Dr. Kevin Leman, commenting on Lori Hatcher's devotional style

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