When life gives you lemons, at least try to make lemonade

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I’m going to wander out here onto a limb and hope it doesn’t get cut out under me to make a general statement that no matter who or what you believe about the coronavirus pandemic that you’re tired of it.

Tired of wearing face masks. Tired of gloves. Tired of one-way aisles in stores. Tired of staying away from your house of worship. Tired of not being able to sit down in your favorite restaurant. Tired of 24/7 television coverage. Tired of wondering which scientific “expert” to believe. Tired of the animosity and down-right hatred exhibited by politician and private citizen alike. Tired of wondering what any or all of us can do about it.

The reality of all that, however, is basically we don’t know answers to many of the questions. And lately, it seems, we’re coming up with more questions.

What’s a body to do?

From my perspective in my little corner of the world, which admittedly isn’t a New York City “hot spot,” I think there are several responses. And I’m not saying they may be universal responses. I think every person’s water has to find its own level, although there are some basic things in common. For instance, I’m pretty sure folks who are sick and coughing and sneezing and wheezing shouldn’t go into grocery stores and contaminate produce or cashiers by breathing on either. And in the way of response, in a decidedly non-Christian point of view, if someone does that intentionally they probably should be hauled out to the woodshed and have a collection of hickory sticks worn out across where they sit down.

Other than that, however, I think there are a few other alternatives. One is to throw up your hands, hide under the bed and drop out of life. But that doesn’t seem such a great option.

Unfortunately, as time goes along and the virus is still with us, more and more folks are experiencing periods of sadness, even depression and in some cases taking matters to the extreme by permanently dropping out of life by their own hand.

Others try to cope by going along as if life has not changed as they attempt to act as they did before. But how can you go to a baseball game or a movie or a store when they’re not there or open?

That brings me to yet a third option that at least offers some relief and possibilities — namely, redo and retool. We’re seeing that in many ways. For instance, I can’t sit down in a favorite restaurant but I can order their bacon cheeseburger or fried chicken to take out and take home.

Earlier in the midst of the “stay-at-home-if-you-can,” when there was no NCAA basketball, I watched games of long ago. And, you know, Carolina still beat Georgetown in ’82 and N.C. State toppled Houston in ’83. Games turned out the same way as they did the first time.

No doubt, there are countless other examples of getting by. But with all this rearranging, however, comes a unique opportunity within that option. Many folks find themselves with more time on their hands than previously and the question becomes how are they or we using it.

Remember that comment earlier about how some folks are really becoming sad and depressed? It may just be that you and I, if we will, can be the answer to their situation.

Telephones haven’t been shut down. The post office is still delivering mail, even though it’s struggling. Pick up the phone. Buy some stamps. Write a letter. Make a care package for someone who can’t get out. Read your Bible. Say your prayers. Wash your hands. Don’t sneeze on anyone or the tomatoes.

Don’t just set aside the lemons we’ve been dealt or try to suck on them. Add some sugar. It’ll go down a lot easier.