Everywhere I go — in Lexington at the LWML convention, at the grocery store, in church, at a restaurant — I hear people saying, “Isn’t it wonderful to get back to normal? No mask and no social distancing!” In many parts of the country, restrictions have been lifted, and we have embraced life as it was before COVID-19. Our lives are getting back to normal. But do we want our lives to get back to normal?

The word “normal” can be defined as “conforming to the standard.” As Christians, we trust in the promises God gives to His people in the Bible and live our lives accordingly. Romans 12:2 states Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Do we want to pretend that the pandemic is over and we can just resume our lives as if it didn’t happen? Please understand; I am well aware that COVID-19 is still a real threat to many in this country and around the world. It’s still an extremely dangerous virus. So we cannot pretend it has not touched every one of us. Let’s learn from the experience of self-isolating, respecting the concerns of others, and appreciating those who worked through the pandemic, putting their lives on the line for strangers. We certainly need to remember all those families who lost loved ones and all those who will have long-term effects from contracting the virus. Let’s remember, learn, and look for God’s hand in challenging times.

I thank God for technology; we had no choice but to embrace it! I thank God for the creativity of my sisters in Christ who found inventive ways to stay in the Word and share His message with others. They continued serving those who were in need and gave to missions without hesitation, trusting that God would provide. And He did — and He still does!

Yes, it’s really nice to return to a more normal life without masks and social distancing, but let’s thank God in every circumstance — even during a pandemic because for Christians, Jesus is our normal even in abnormal times. As we remember the isolation and the suffering of so many, let’s appreciate that, through it all, we were never alone. Christ has been with us and continues to be with us. Our LWML convention theme was “Running the Race … Looking to Jesus.” As our opening worship proclaimer, Rev. Dr. David Maier, reminded us, “We are all in the race, but we are never in the lead. We follow Jesus!” I will, each morning, pray that my “normal” is to follow Jesus and trust in His promises. Let’s all make that our “normal!”

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,
Debbie