Coping with COVID-19

BY MARY PEDERSON

Willmar — My husband died at the end of October 2019 from many lung issues.

I was not even able to hold his hand at the time of his death. I wanted to so badly, but he couldn’t be touched when he was trying to regain his breathing pattern.

He never did, and he died before the ambulance arrived.

Then COVID-19 hit in March of 2020.

The isolation coupled with the grieving was really tough. I will have had MS for 41 years this coming March.

I am blessed to get around with a walker.

We didn’t have a pastor during 2018-2020, but we did have a wonderful interim pastor.

One day he quoted a verse from “The Message.” It was so meaningful and my spirit just took a leap.

I went home that Sunday, vowing to read “The Message” through from cover to cover in a year.

I started reading “The Message” at the end of September 2020.

Well, it’s going on four months now and I have read the New Testament and am currently in Proverbs in the Old Testament.

I find myself reading this translation of the Bible morning, noon and night. I easily cover eight to 10 chapters a day.

I can’t put it down.

Written in the language we use today, I have gained so much insight.

The author, Eugene Peterson, has one healthy vocabulary. I stop every time I don’t know the exact meaning of a word, look it up in my dictionary and write the definition in the Bible. I want the best definition for the clearest understanding.

I re-read passages I don’t understand.

I am by no means rushing through reading this Bible. I just can’t and don’t want to put it down.

The hours and days have gone by quickly. I feel that I am being so spiritually blessed.

What better way to spend these lonely days, than to spend time alone with the Lord!

I have spent a lot of time in prayer.

There has been great need for prayer as friends, neighbors, relatives and so many others have come down with COVID-19.

Here we are entering 2021 and a safe and effective vaccine available to all is on the horizon — answered prayer.

Where has the time gone?