I Am Rahab …Covid-19

by Janice Alston

Although things have looked hopeless, I have hope. I know what the facts are; however, facts do not destroy my hope. 2020 has been a time of faith-testing, mind, body, and spirit challenging.

A wilderness experience for sure. A time to walk by faith, not by sight, keeping hope alive.

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-9 Everything has its time. Plagues and pandemics are not new, there is nothing new under the sun.

The pandemic has been a time of reminiscing and renewal, which has its ups and downs, and yet, it is additionally a time of trusting in a God we do not see unless we seek Him. For me, the renewal and reminiscing came about while I was isolated from family and friends. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it in a few ways.

I started slowing down in 2018 when I relocated to Texas from North Carolina. Everything that was once familiar became strange. I was slowing down but had not stopped. Once again, I moved into my own place after living with my son and his family for nine months. I met new friends and began to enjoy my golden years actively.

As the year moved along, near the end of 2019 and early 2020, many of my family members and friends experienced severe flu-like symptoms. Trips to the doctor or E.R. garnered negative results for the flu but gave no reasonable explanation of the illness. This sickness lasted longer than any cold, and it was attributed to allergies because of the severe symptoms. They complained of fatigue, fever, earaches; you name it. No COVID-19 diagnoses because they were not making this illness newsworthy yet. Sadly, some are still dealing with the side effects.

February 26, 2020, I was in the delivery room by request of my daughter-love to witness the birth of my grandson, Michael junior. He was about ten minutes out, and I held him, kissed him, and I blessed him. I was filled again with hope because their first baby did not make it the previous year. If it had been a few weeks later, my sweetheart would have been delivered without any family present to bring our blessing into this world.

March 2020 arrived, and I moved again. This time to Dallas Fort Worth. In just a couple of weeks, life as we knew it changed drastically: shutdowns, isolation, significant sanitizing, mandatory mask face coverings, and rapidly emptying shelves. Facts don’t destroy hope; I never lacked anything I needed and I had a few wants satisfied. People were beginning to become diagnosed with COVID-19 rapidly. Then I had the scare of my days. One month after my move, I woke up to my heart racing, chills, sweats, and breathing issues in April. I contacted Tele Med, and they urged me to go to the E.R. because of previous heart issues. It was like I walked into the twilight zone. Masked E.R. persons stopped you as you entered, prompting you to wear a mask and go to the sanitizing stations. It reminded me of what I saw during the Ebola scare. However, I remained hopeful.

Fast forward, all my tests were negative, but I was not tested for C-19 as they were not available. However, few instructions were given. I prescribed myself rest, no caffeine, hot ginger and citrus tea, and vitamins. I followed up with cardiology, mammogram, and ultrasound; they found no reason for my health issues, and the symptoms subsided. I needed renewal. I sometimes forget I’m 67, and if I want to see the super seventies, I need to heal my body, mind, and spirit.

“CURA TE IPSUM.” Physician heal thyself. Luke 4:23.

I became more focused on healing and taking care of myself because COVID-19 is in full effect. This pandemic is a frightening experience. People are dying worldwide, and as of today, over 400,000 have died in the United States alone. These are facts. However, I have hope.

I am relegated to isolation most of the time, but in my time alone, I have realized some essential things. Memories are powerful. I reminisced about many people, places, and things. I recalled how my first-born son died of the Asian Flu, it was the early seventies, and many died. I also came to realize that my body had not been well for a long time. Excruciating back and joint pain, but I kept going.

We visited my middle son in July and had a great time. Three days later, my granddaughter tested positive for the dastardly C-19. I shared the room with her, and we all loved on each other. The great news, none of us exposed became infected with the virus. My family was afraid for me, encouraging me not to go out, order my groceries, meds, etc., for delivery. I told each one, “I’m not afraid of dying if it’s my time. I just pray I’ll hear, Welcome home and well done, my child,” and that my family and friends will celebrate my life.

I go out each day, of course, masked up, with sanitizer and my mixture of Thieves oil ready. My family isn’t happy about my traveling; however, I explain that living alone and seeing no one will lead to severe depression. I’m careful, not fearful. Many family and friends are panicking, and I’m sure a few question if I am mentally well because I’m not afraid of COVID. I respect the severity of this virus, but I will not live in constant fear. I walk by faith and good common sense. I go on prayer drives daily, and wherever I drive, I’m praying for the people, my family, friends, as well as myself.

After many months of being forced to slow down, my body is finally healing from some pain. I have learned that it is okay to take a nap, and I often put myself in time out, which feels good.

Although not in a building, my ministry has grown, and my text ministry has grown as well. I have slowed down. I am walking by faith and not by sight. FACTS don’t destroy MY HOPE.

In my time of reminiscing, I recalled a few times in my life when I had a slim chance of surviving…22, 30, and 35 years ago, after each near-death experience…I’m still here. In reality, I’m not going until it’s my time.

We will survive this pandemic wilderness experience if we don’t lose hope, keep growing our faith, and use good common-sense…because WE are Rahab, too.