“Our once great western Christian civilization is dying. If this matters to followers of Jesus Christ, then we must set aside our denominational differences and work together to strengthen the things that remain and reclaim what has been lost. Evangelicals and Catholics must stand together to re-establish that former Christian culture and moral consensus. We have the numbers and the organization but the question is this: Do we have the will to win this present spiritual battle for Jesus Christ against secularism? Will we prayerfully and cooperatively work toward a new Christian spiritual revival ― or will we choose to hunker down in our churches and denominationalisms and watch everything sink into the spiritual and moral abyss of a New Dark Age?” - Mark Davis Pickup

Monday, March 30, 2020

EVERYONE CAN PITCH IN TO FIGHT COVID-19

I've been severely disabled with aggressive multiple sclerosis (MS) for over 36 years. For over 16 of those years I used an electric wheelchair and only had use of one arm and hand. For many years, people had to do the most ordinary daily things for me. There were times I needed help getting dressed. I could not hold anything in my right hand. Other people had to cut my food for me. By any definition my disease was (and may be again) end stage MS. It's impossible for me to express my deep gratitude for all the assistance people have given to me over the decades. 

Just over a year ago something extraordinary and unexpected
happened. I started regaining lost function! Today I can walk with a cane(s) and the function of my right arm and hand returned. Not only can I cut my own meat at dinner and I can write again after 25 years unable to.  My neurologist and family doctor are dumbfounded. This is not supposed to happen with end-stage multiple sclerosis. Things degenerate not regenerate. And with a brain as riddled with plague as mine, this is not supposed to happen. I may lose this regained function, and my new lease on life.

But for now, it's my turn to give back. With the COVID-19 pandemic an international call went out to people who sew to
make masks. My wife stepped up to plate and began to sew. She showed me how to sew (I've never sewn a stitch). Now I have an opportunity to give back to the community.  It is very meaningful to me. In my small way I can say thank you—not so much to individuals, many of whom are nowhere near—but to a community of those who cared. Through small gestures like this perhaps I can express through actions the gratitude that words fail to express. We are all a part of that great family of humanity who are afforded the privilege of caring for one another. In this case, trying in a small way to care for the community that cared for me. 

Let's all pitch in in whatever way we can to fight this unprecedented pandemic.  We are all citizens with responsibilities to the common good and members of our communities with responsibilities each other. Perhaps it's grocery shopping for seniors, tutoring students online, reaching out to people for whom self-isolation has caused depression, or even just staying home to help break transmission of COVID-19.


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