Several weeks ago, most of the LWML Board of Directors met in Lexington, Kentucky. Yup, we met in person. We followed all safety protocols and physical distancing. Oh, how nice it was to get together and
have “just a bit of normal!”

What exactly is normal? Missionary Gary Thies often states that Christians are “not normal.” “Normal” to many would be believing only in what we can see and trusting only in what we can touch. Hebrews
11:1 says, Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

I guess I am thinking more about the manner in which we would “normally” be living our lives. We would be meeting together without physical distancing and greeting each other with hugs and
handshakes. We would be eating out more often and sharing meals and pews with friends and family.

We would be unmasked and our hands would not require as much hand lotion (although my grandchildren are actually washing their hands on a regular basis — a great improvement). We would feel comfortable when we are out and about.

It may just be that we need to consider a new normal, a standard routine of common sense: stay home when we’re feeling sick or feverish, respect the concerns of others, and check on the welfare of our neighbors on a regular basis. We could make being kind and compassionate the new normal. We could own our mistakes and forgive others for theirs. (I’m getting off track here — but isn’t that what a rambling blog is supposed to do?)

When I returned home after three weeks of travel (two weeks in Minnesota with my mother-in-law recuperating from knee replacement surgery and one week in Lexington), it took a few days to “feel normal,” to feel comfortable in my routine. It took doing laundry, making meals, waking up to the smell of coffee, and a roaring fire in the hearth to feel normal. I like routine. We all do. I pray our routine, our “normal,” includes time with God and time with each other. God bless your “normal” today!

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