As we all try to prepare and respond to the rapidly changing medical information we are getting about COVID-19 and its consequences for our health, family life, and economy, you might find your mind racing in some many directions that you wonder: Am I going crazy? So I want to you to know something today:
No, you’re not crazy if you don’t know exactly what to do. You’re doing your best.
No, you’re not crazy if you feel unprepared. You’re constantly getting new information.
No, you’re not crazy if you prepare for the worst. You’re wise. (Unless you are buying up all the toilet paper and hoarding it from the rest of us. Then you are crazy and you need to quit it.)
No, you’re not crazy if you are afraid. You’re courageous enough to acknowledge it.
No, you’re not crazy if you read everything you can about the crisis. You’re staying informed.
No, you’re not crazy if you want to take break from the headlines to be silly and funny for a while. You’re given a sense of humor for a reason.
No, you’re not crazy to take extra precautions. You’re better safe than sorry.
No, you’re not crazy if you feel out of control. You’re human.
No, you’re not crazy if you believe God will be with us and provide for us no matter what happens. You’re a person of faith.
However you feel today, my prayer for you comes from St. Patrick whose parades have been cancelled, but whose words are more important for us than ever. You can find all the lyrics to the prayer here and I encourage you to do so, but for now these are the verses I am praying especially for each of you today:
I bind unto myself today
The power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, His might to stay,
His ear to hearken to my need.
The wisdom of my God to teach,
His hand to guide, His shield to ward,
The word of God to give me speech,
His heavenly host to be my guard.
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
I bind unto myself the Name,
The strong Name of the Trinity;
By invocation of the same.
The Three in One, and One in Three,
Of Whom all nature hath creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
Salvation is of Christ the Lord.
Wil Cantrell 