The entire day yesterday, the song kept repeating itself inside my head; yet, yesterday, I never got the chance to listen to the song, or to any Christian songs for that matter. Work got in the way. Familial obligations got in the way. So, I never had the chance to listen to my favorite Christian songs and to singing along to each, even if at times, I get out of pitch. 😜
I guess, it was a way for the Holy Spirit to prep me up, for a mission, perhaps? Or His way of lifting up my mood? Or maybe, this enhanced community quarantine have made me miss so much and further value time together with my faith community, with friends over a cup of coffee inside a real (not virtual) coffeeshop, hugging loved ones in public, or do beso-beso with friends at a party without fear or trepidation; or singing with other people!
Will we ever go back to the way it was? To the normal we were so used to?
As I write this, I am actually in the middle of newspaper work --- layouting, editing, etc. But I just needed to stop and write, because I have too much to say; and because all these Christian songs I am listening to at the moment is making me too emotional.
Here in the city of beautiful people, now also called the city of screenshots, no thanks to the #VIP50 (😜), the enhanced community quarantine has been extended to April 30. That is like 28 days from now! A lot could happen in 28 days, but I pray and hope, Ormoc remains COVID-free then, until April 30.
I pray and hope, too, displaced workers, daily wage earners, and trike drivers get the financial help and assistance they so need. We are all on the same boat, experiencing this crisis altogether, but really my heart goes out to these people. I am certain many of them do not have the emergency fund or fall-back savings most of my peers with good-paying jobs have.
I am grateful to my faith community in Servants of the Living God (SLG) for organizing a Food Drive to help out, to tide these people over until the next relief pack/s from the government or from generous civic organizations come in.
I pray and hope no one gets hungry, now and in the next 28 days.
I pray and hope, too, that our frontliners --- medical workers, police, the military, traffic people, LGU officials, leaders/members of civic organizations and NGOs, those manning our pharmacies and grocery stores, bank personnel, and the many other who continue to render excellent service, risking life and limb to come to work, risking COVID-19 infection --- that they may be blessed and their families, too; that they would feel our appreciation and support for all that they do; that they may be encouraged to go on and move forward; and that they feel safe and secure at all times, knowing Ormocanons back them up and believe in their capabilities.
Truly, in this uncertain time, we are each other's sanctuary. As we entrust our lives to one another, we become each other's safe refuge.
The Cambridge English Dictionary defines sanctuary as protection or a safe place, especially for someone being chased or hunted. It seems at this age and time, our hunter is the COVID-19 virus.
And it is only by physical distancing, wearing a mask, and handwashing multiple times a day can we become the safe refuge, the sanctuary, we are to one another.
In the Bible, sanctuary is mentioned multiple times, but by far, the most precious sanctuary God exalted so much is His very own creation, His beloved human beings. Us. We. They. Him. Her. You. Me.
We are precious. We are a valuable sanctuary in the eyes of God, more than gold or silver. Therefore, today, until the 30th of April, or until this veerus (😜) goes away, fulfill your purpose on Earth, and be the sanctuary that God has created you to be --- that each one of us need to be.
Stay at home. Practice physical distancing. Make productive use of your time away from work. Create; not destroy. Build; not pull down. Wash your hands many times in a day. Wear a mask when in public.
Be grateful. Share. Give. Spread positivity. Infect kindness.
💜💜💜
Lord prepare me
To be a sanctuary
Pure and holy
Tried and true
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| Copied from Twitter, Daily Bible Verse, posted on August 2016 |
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