I have a sign on my computer that reads, “Fear or Faith? You Choose.”  I think that sign is so appropriate as we go through our “shelter-in-place” plans.  My parents and brothers were supposed to fly out to see me this week, but for obvious reasons, they are staying in California.

At the same time, I’m getting instructions from all my friends in Silicon Valley and these are very scary times.  Our lives, in other words, are being disrupted.  How easy it would be to give in to fear since we are facing the unknown. We all like having a routine and knowing what we’re meant to do in a given day.

I don’t want to make light of anyone’s situation as I know it’s difficult to have kids and home and have to explain why you can’t just go hang out at the trampoline park in town.  But we are called to have faith and not give way to fear.

My son is on the base where they flew American citizens in from China.  My other son is in Los Angeles and finally, I have a son in a California university that has not canceled his labs. But I’m choosing to not fear and just work during this time.  To write humor and make light of life because that’s my gift and I want to use it now.

I realize the instructions are changing daily and it’s easy to turn on the television and take in the fear 24/7, but I’m asking you to stay aware, but turn off the constant news cycle and know this virus is NOT bigger than God.  We can use this time to reconnect with the family God gave us.  If we live alone, we can connect via phone and social media.

When I go out and walk the dog all of my neighbors wave at me, like “Hey, we’re braving this together!”  I love that. This country needed to be reminded we are all one.  How sad that it took this virus.

“I cared for you in the wilderness, In the land of drought.”  Hosea 13:5