April 22, 2020

Many people right now feel they’ve lost their sense of purpose. And though, as believers, we know our purpose is found in Christ alone, when someone’s livelihood or way of life is threatened or obliterated, it crushes our spirits. It has left many in America seemingly without hope. Let us “put on a heart of compassion” (Colossians 3:12 NASB) toward those who are struggling, putting ourselves, for just a moment, in someone else’s shoes:

The local restaurant owners who have had to close their doors and lay off staff…

The working mom who now not only has to work from home, but figure out how to navigate at-home learning for her children…

The athletic coach who has no one to coach right now…

The dad who has lost his job and is worried how to provide for his family…

The grandparents who are now stuck inside and not able to visit and hold their grandchildren…

The high school senior who won’t have the satisfaction of accomplishment by walking across that stage at graduation…

The college students working part-time to get through school who lost their jobs and now have to move back home with parents…

The missionary who can’t return home to visit family…

The stay-at-home mom with a side business who has now lost her supplemental income because people aren’t buying things…

The kids who love school and miss seeing their teachers and friends daily…

The teachers who dearly miss having kids in their class to teach…

The pastor who now has to preach to a camera and can’t personally connect with his congregants…

The CEO who had to send all of his or her employees home at a moment’s notice…

The small business owners wondering if they will make it through this storm financially…

To the long-term care resident who can no longer receive visitors…

The store clerks who have worked 70 hours this week to keep the shelves stocked, only to have angry people yell at them for not moving faster…

The truck driver putting in endless hours on the road to get supplies where they are needed, only to have nowhere to pull over and eat…

The leaders of our country who have gone endless nights without sleep, filled with concern for the country and its people…

The crisis communicators who have worked tirelessly and agonized over every word to get the proper messages out to the masses…

The event planners and vendors who have no events to plan or serve…

The healthcare workers who can’t quarantine and are required to put their lives at risk to help others…

The non-profit organization whose volunteers and staff can’t gather and mobilize to serve…

The cruise ship captain and airline pilot who have now been grounded…

The cancer patient who is now not only fighting the beast, but also fighting to keep his or her fragile immune system protected…

The realtor who can’t show homes and help clients in need…

The athlete who can no longer go out and compete…

The night shift custodian who has been working well into the day to DEEP CLEAN every nook and cranny of every office and just wants to sit for a moment…

The pregnant and scared mom-to-be who just prays for a safe delivery and protection over her baby…

The single parent who isn’t sure how he or she will put food on the table day after day…

And so many others…

Source:  excerpted/edited from It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, Rebecca Barrack, MediShare blogpost