For the entire month of August, my family has been dealing with COVID.
First, my son and daughter-in-law got it.
Then my daughter, who lives at home with us.
Then my wife.
Then me.
And, finally, my other son, who also lives at home.
Praise God all are well and mended. We threw the kitchen sink at it, getting into the doctor, taking medicines, taking vitamins, getting the rest needed. Everyone in the family had some rough days but came through – except me.
The virus got into my lungs. COVID pneumonia. It hit me hard.
God brought me down, so I can be reminded to look up.
I have wondered why I got so sick: I take care of my body and eat well, I’m am a fit and strong guy, and I do my practices of prayer and bible study.
There really is no explanation. But I will tell you what I have concluded.
I was running too hard. 2021 has been a brutal year for me. It has been challenging, personally. It has been hard leading the Mount Carmel Christian Church. But I believed I was doing ok. I kept pushing by my own strength. I was relying on my own resources. I was rushing through those self-care habits that should not be rushed. Get them done and move on to work! The body keeps the score. I believe COVID got me because I was running on empty.
God brought me down, so I can look up.
C.S.Lewis said, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”
Let me share with you some things that I believe God wants us to hear.
Let go of our idols. The apostle John ended his letter with these precise words: “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.” 1 John 5:21 (NIV). We have made safety, comfort, and being “productive” idols. We sacrifice truth to live by lies so that we can have want we want, when we want, in the manner we want it, with no pain, inconvenience, or effort. COVID has shown me that Jesus is both our forgiver and leader. Accepting Jesus as our forgiver is easy. Living with Jesus as our leader is difficult. But to have the life that comes from following Jesus, we must keep ourselves from idols by committing to follow Jesus as Lord.
God brought me down so that I can look up.
When I look up, this is what I have seen: I have seen what God intended marriage to be all about. My wife has been a testimony of “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health.” Marriage is God’s gift for a man and a woman to come together, committed to living life in the same direction. As Jesus followers, that direction is determined by a shared commitment to Jesus as our leader. Shannon has been at my side throughout this ordeal. There is a 21 Pilots song called “My Blood” that has this line: “If you find yourself in a lion’s den, I’ll jump right in and pull my pin, and go with you.” That is my Shannon.
“May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.” Proverbs 5:18 (NIV). This scripture has come alive for me in ways I would never have imagined.
God brought me down so that I can live looking up.
Looking up, I have seen the church be the church as Jesus intended. My first community of faith has been my family. My immediate family has prayed, cried, and loved me throughout.
My second community of faith has been my church. The elders and staff of Mount Carmel are incredible. They have been constant sources of support and love. The people of our church have been fantastic. Thank you, thank you for the notes of love and encouragement. Thank you for the meals dropped off. Thank you for the gifts. Thank you for the constant prayer. I can tell you that I felt carried by your love during those dark hours.
God is moving in Mount Carmel.
We are living out the biblical mandates to love God and to love our neighbors.
Jesus followers are making Jesus followers who are making Jesus followers.
The good news is spreading – yes, I am going to say it – like a virus! Person to person in the small, person to person in the strong of God’s Word, person to person in the slow pace that relationships must go. I am so grateful for my church.
God brought me down so that I can look up.
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” – James 4:10 NIV
Awesome reminders
Thank you DiDi!
I’m so glad you’re all feeling better! Thanks for the insightful thoughts.
Glad to hear you are on the mend as well as your family.
Thank you for trusting Our GOD so faithfully! Prayers continue!
So grateful you are feeling better Didi. It’s amazing how God can make all of our life events teaching moments
Hi Didi,
That was awesome and an inspiration. I happened to be in town a few weeks ago and saw Tim Peace speaking. I remember when my 26 yr old was still in student/youth area and Tim still seemed like a kid. He is grown up for sure now! 10 years goes by quick! Anyway Jason and I are doing good in Surprise AZ (near Phoenix) and going to TCAA The Church at Arrowhead and we have a pastor from around Paducah KY Randy Record who is a good guy. We like it there but of course still miss Mt Carmel and your sermons. So glad you guys made it through. It’s scary times. If you ever visit let us know! Oh question, we are kicking off B.L.E.S.S. And it makes me nervous like we are putting our household on a server as a Christian for someone to enter and get a list of houses to hurt. I mean any terrorist with a religious or anti-Christian agenda would have the means to get a list of Christians. Of course I also don’t want to deny God. It’s terrible to feel conflicted in a “free” country too! What are your thoughts on a database that lists you as a Christian in your neighborhood? The idea is awesome to reach out to neighbors but tools today?
Hi Christi – thank you for the update on where you are! Thank you for your kind words. Regarding your question about being on a database listing you as a Christian. That is a wisdom question. So I would recommend you pray for the wisdom that comes from above as it says in James. You want to do the right thing, in the right way, at the right time for the right results. My first reaction would be to say – do you need to be listed as a christian on a data base when you are living as a Jesus follower in your neighborhood? As the song goes – ‘…and they will know we are Christians, by our love…”
Thank you Lord Jesus for healing our wonderful Bacons! Many answered 🙏 prayers.
Dave and I have been praying for you and your entire family, We are so thankful your family and you pulled through covied-19.
Five years ago God did the same to me, of course not with covied-19, but with bronchitis in April and Croup in May, age 75 then,. A remark the minister said one Sunday caused me to doubt whether the Holy Spirit was in my soul. The two months I was so sick, God took me back to my youth when I was baptized, that the Holy Spirit still lived in my heart and not ever doubt Him again. that Nov., of 2016 we came to MCCC, we are so happy we did. We will continue to keep you and your family in prayer, God Bless.
Absolutely fantastic brother. First off, so glad y’all are on the mend. Secondly: very profound of you to say. You’re so right in that we need to put away our gods of safety and security because God isn’t safe…but He is good! Love you brother
Strong words! Great direction. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Clearly your healing has not just been physical. By the Grace of God, you’ve grown in strength and wisdom and awareness of the burden of the idols that we all are carrying. I’m so happy that you’re feeling better and pray that you continue to give yourself time to “keep looking up”. Our church is so very blessed to have you as our leader and look forward to your return in God’s time. Take care. Love to you and your family.
Great lessons to learn. Well framed relay. Trust you and the family continuing to make progress. Trying times.
Listening to the whispers from God and he will direct our path. God is good and so grateful you’re all on the mend.
Thank you for sharing! I am so glad your family is all better. Yay God!
We all need to apply these inspired thoughts to our own lives! I can relate to every section! I’m glad you felt supported in all ways and am happy you are doing so much better now. Love you!
Love you brother. I have been feeling so much of the same lately. I don’t know what I would do without Jesus in my corner and my wife by my side these last few weeks. I know I’ve got a very long road ahead of me, but God has prepared me for this fight and the incredible journey ahead. Can’t wait to get together with ya soon and share some stories! Get well and Godspeed my friend!
I’m so glad you are recovering Didi. We all need you and it’s wonderful to know how you are modeling for us to stay humble and keep looking up!
So thankful Didi that you and your family has risen above all this mess and sent a strong message to our church family. Slow down and let the Almighty lead! We miss you all and so grateful everyone is well!
Glad you are recovering and pray we see you in church soon.
Amen, God is good ! Praise our lord !
You and your family are so loved and I am glad you felt that during your ordeal. Not a day goes by Bill and I don’t think about you and lift you up in prayer.
Didi, I just want to encourage you and tell you I cannot put my finger on this.
But it appears to me satan has been unchained because it appears the whole
world pretty much has been taken down by this evil virus. And there is nothing
more satan would like than to keep you out church and preaching the gospel
as the Didi I love is a spirit filled preacher. We will lift you up to God and may
spirit and body be healed and take heart stay the course and come back.
You have went through so much and your mom has left this earth and
you mourn for her. Jesus loves you this I know. In King Jesus’s Holy and Blessed Name I Pray The Lord’s will be done.