Week 191

Positive post Sunday, October 18, 2020- Week 191. 

(Written by Karen Longpre: On behalf of my brother Dan)

As we enter the last quarter of 2020, it is easy to focus on all we have lost.

Just sit in front of the TV and watch the COVID numbers grow, looting and

Rioting, and continuous sad stories.  We are running out of Netflix movies

To watch.  Oh wait, this is a POSITIVE post!  Let’s focus on what we have

Gained.  We have gained the opportunity to add many life experiences to

Our memories, but we have to be open to the new experiences.  Outside

Church on the grass, drive-by communion, making mass “reservations”

On Evite, and online mass are a few that I have experienced this year.  

After not being able to go to church and receive the Eucharist for many

Months, I cried all the way up to the altar when I returned to church after

Several months.  I will never take the Eucharist for granted again.  My

Husband also was open to a new experience. Yesterday I heard a lot of

Noise coming from the living room and found him Watching Game 6,

Rooting passionately for the Dodgers. For those who know him, this is

Not an ordinary experience since he is a Lifelong avid Angel fan.  

A lot of us are experiencing what is known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome,

Defined as extreme fatigue without an underlying medical condition caused

By physical and/or emotional trauma.  The year 2020 has brought a lot of

Trauma into our lives whether we have a medical condition or not.  Our

LORD recognizes that even a righteous person becomes tired from many

Troubles, but promises to deliver them from the troubles.  Mother Teresa

Recognized that God would only give her what He felt she could handle.

So what can we do to combat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and focus on the

Gains, not the losses?

Firstly, pray and spend some time with the LORD.  I have included a prayer

Below.  Take advantage of the many ways to still practice your faith, whether  

It be in person at church, online, or drive-by communion.  I challenge you to

Find the time to include the LORD In you daily activities.

Secondly, get up and participate in the “good”.  I am guilty of watching too many

Things On social media from the comfort of my couch and phone.  I have watched

Countless expressions of the “good” and many car parades and celebrations.

To truly combat the fatigue, you have to participate.  I had an opportunity to

Participate in a car parade for a member of our church who was celebrating her

100th birthday last week.  Several of the Eucharist ministers who had been

Bringing her communion at home over the last few years wanted to celebrate.

We put signs and balloons on our cars.  I recruited my 4 year old grandsons to

Help hold the balloons and we drove by her house, back and forth, for almost a

Half hour, tooting our horns.  The look on her face brought me to tears.  For a

Simple hour of time participating in the “good”, I felt more refreshed and positive

Than I had in a long time.  I challenge you to “participate in the good”.

Thirdly, find creative ways to still connect with family and friends.  Being a healthcare

Worker myself, this has been extremely challenging.  I have become quite adept at

Running Teams and Zoom meetings, preparing Power-points and “sharing” my screen

With my staff, but find the short face time conversations with individual employees

Has been the best way to connect.  We have installed Google Duo on my parents

Phones. My daughter has put together family virtual get-togethers.  We have laughed

And played trivia games, dressed up, given virtual tours of new apartments, and met

New pets.  We have participated in virtual fundraisers, including wine tasting!

I challenge you to find a creative way to still stay connected.

In summary, take a moment to reflect on all you have gained during 2020 and

Be open to new experiences.  Pray, participate in the good, stay connected to

Family and friends, and be creative.

PSALM 34:17-19

“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them:  He delivers them from all their troubles.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

The righteous person many have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.”