“You drown not by falling into a river, but by staying submerged in it.”  Paulo Coelho

It’s hard amidst a global pandemic to take a timeout for renewal. Our hearts are crushed by daily news of increasing COVID-19 death tolls. The economic quagmire of lost livelihoods and opportunities also increases our stress levels. The courage of front line workers who continue to serve tugs at our heartstrings to do more.

It’s a paradox quandary for most of us that the best way we can help is to maintain social distancing and stay at home.

That may not seem like much, but it is vital to flattening the curve. In our Peninsula health district there have been over 280 COVID-19 cases and a few deaths. But, in the nearby Richmond metropolitan area 42 people have died in one long-term care facility.

The Virginia State Department of Health tested everyone in the facility two weeks ago. Of the 90+ who tested positive for the coronavirus, 53 did not have any symptoms.

They were carriers of COVID-19 without even knowing it.

That’s why it’s still vitally important that we continue to follow guidelines that limit our social interaction and do our bit by staying home as much as possible.

Staying at home (surprising as it may seem) stress can pile up. Checking the news 12 times a day doesn’t help. (Virginia is trying to lower her news intake to 3 times per day.) Or, maybe you’re working flat-out in healthcare or a vital service industry with extra loads compounding your stress.

Whatever the case may be, it’s important to take timeouts for renewal. Having previously worked 80 hour weeks in conflict settings with 2 to 3 hours of sleep per night, Virginia values the importance of breaks. You become sluggishly less effective (adrenaline only goes so far) unless you do something to recharge your internal batteries.

Sleep is good. Renewal is even better.

So, today take a renewal timeout to recharge internal peace batteries and decompress stress. Take a look outside the window. Take a walk.

Notice beauty where it can be found (if we’re looking around.)

“Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God’s handwriting – a wayside sacrament. Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing.”   Ralph Waldo Emerson

Take time out for prayer.

“The well of the Creator never fails; happy is he (and she) who dwells at the well.”  Charles H. Spurgeon

Let God renew our hearts with springs of water from the well of eternal Hope and Love. Don’t let stress mess with the gift of peace God gives you and me.

“What is the scent of water?” “Renewal. The goodness of God coming down like dew.”
Elizabeth Goudge

Let’s open our hearts to the sense and scents of renewal.

grace, peace & renewal scents

Virginia : )