“Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease that causes respiratory illness (like the flu) with symptoms such as cough, fever, and in more severe cases, difficulty breathing. Coronavirus disease spreads primarily through contact with an infected person when they cough or sneeze. It also spreads when a person touches a surface or object that has the virus on it, then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth”. The world is at a standstill because of the Coronavirus disease (COVID -19). What does this mean for our wellbeing? A lot has changed; everything has shifted from the offices to our homes, people have been laid off, kids schooling/universities have been cut short, businesses are suffering financially some have even filed for bankruptcy, majority have lost their jobs, churches can no longer meet, airlines have become vacant, morgues are filled beyond capacity, loved ones are dying without the opportunity for us to say our goodbyes or pay our last respects, we no longer feel safe in our own world, and to sum up, we are still not sure when our lives will go back to normal. Is isolation becoming our new norm or is there still hope of going back to what we were accustomed to? Leviticus 11: 13 – 19 “These are the birds that are detestable to you. You must never eat them: the griffon vulture, the bearded vulture, the black vulture, the kite of all kinds, ravens of all kinds, the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl, the barn owl, the desert owl, the Egyptian vulture, the blue stork, herons of all kinds, the hoopoe, and the bat.” These are some of the things the Bible warned us to refrain from that are coming to haunt us before our eyes. 

Is a wake up call for the whole world. Is time for us to strategize, make amends with God, seek His face and turn away from our sins. “If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”  2 chronicles 7:14. God has truly shown us all that He Holds the Whole World in His Hands. He has brought all race, all nation, all Generation to their knees. Coronavirus doesn’t care about your ethnicity, status, class, political influence, power, position or your religion. We truly don’t have any reason to boast, band or block anyone because tomorrow is uncertain. Who is doing the banning now? I know for sure is not Mr. President, rather an invisible virus – Covid-19 – stay in your own vicinity. Not even our physical weapons can save us because we have no idea what we are up against.   In the eyes of God, we are one and created equally, we breath the same air and bleed the same when we hurt. And come to think of it, the only commonality amongst all religions is that we all PRAY, now is the time to keep our differences aside and Pray to “He who moves mountains without their knowing it and overturns them in his anger. He shakes the earth from its place and makes its pillars tremble. He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. If he snatches away, who can stop him?” Job 9:5-6, 10 & 12.

As a business professional, my everyday business work attire  shifted to cozying with slacks or sweatpants working from my basement. Is far from the life I imagined for myself – since I dress-up for a living and that aspect gives me a sense of satisfaction like I am doing what I am supposed to be doing.  Is a big transition for me since my environment is far from quiet and working with numbers requires a calm environment to be able to focus/think. I have learned to adapt pretty easily since we are left with no choice at this time but to be self isolated to keep Covid-19 from further spreading. Is situations like these that make us question our entire purpose in this life, and the things we turn to hold onto or stuck up on that becomes a statue, of no value when we can’t take or wear them anywhere.  My closet for instance is bulging – staring at me while I am doing the same. I asked myself if I truly needed all these clothing, to begin with? I know looking good is my business as well as my job requirement. Truth be told, I think I over exaggerated it – with every outfit having a bag to match and shoes to go with. While all this? Is the question I ask myself while in isolation – now I have no place to wear or parade them to. What is life after all? If we can all take stock of our lives, and for once be truthful after the aftermath of Covid-19 we will all come to a conclusion that everything is vanity upon vanity. “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Matthew 6:19.

I started this blog to open up my wounds and speak the truth since that was something I was deprived of as a child – and the truth I will speak because is the only way we can all liberate ourselves and live a peaceful life that comes with no guilt. Have you gone out of late or taken a walk around your neighborhood? Take a look at the parking lots, driveways, airports  – nothing seems to be moving – they are all packed in one position. If that isn’t a wake-up call for us, then what is? Whether we like it or not, this is a spiritual warfare, because there is no one who can bring the entire world to a stand still. My guess is God wanted our attention – we have become the busybody generation with no time to stop and pray not to talk of reading the Holy Book. We care more about earthly things  than personal relationships. We go about sugarcoating wrongs just to make it look right, we have become a generation that looks up to man more than we look onto God, we have lost our purpose, our sins have separated us from the Lord. “For I know the plans I have for you, “declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you see me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity.” I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you, ‘ declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” Jeremiah 29:11-14

But there is Hope! “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” Romans 8:24-25. We can all play our part in stopping the spread of this virus, washing our hands frequently, practicing social distancing, self isolation, wearing a mask while in public, using gloves while touching foods in the stores, have hand sanitizers in your keeping at all times and utilize when needed. We need to abide by the laws/rules imposed by our governments and health care personnel while practicing our own personal hygiene. I know it can be tough being self made prisoners in our own homes. However, is one of the effective ways we can all contribute in the fight against  Covid-19. I now have a glimpse of what it feels like when I ask my kids to sit still, it can be devastating, stressful, inhumane, boring, inpatient, horrified…the list goes on. It is nerve racking, but required! If at all you haven’t done so already please limit your movements to a bare minimum…grocery/pharmacy to be precise. Majority of us are home bound at this point, we don’t need any clothing’s – I don’t know why people are still frequenting malls for shopping/clothing stores. I have come to realize that the only thing that matters at this point is shelter, air, food, communication media & a Bible if you would ask me – anything else is worthless! We have to go back to the basics, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” Romans 10:9-11.

As a parent of four elementary school age kids, it can be very difficult coming up with ideas/activities that will stimulate their brains at the same time keep them active. Then again we are up to the task, if not for anything, we were made for this! I am here to share some of what has been working for me. First, make a schedule that is reflective of their school schedule, if your child school offers on-line learning, make sure they follow through, thereafter, is time for you to improvise. My kids start with a quiet time in the morning with a scripture and prayer, followed by their online studies/hangout, which involves Math/English. Then there is snack time/break time – they can play foosball, read a magazine, a book or watch TV or anything of choice. They head back to class for Science, Social studies there after, is physical activities/lunch and later in the day they play their musical instruments from piano, guitars, violin & drums. They are exploring and attempting one  another’s instruments at this point to see what else might spark their curiosity. Allow them to help around the house like doing chores – washing dishes, sweeping, washing/folding their own laundry, teaching them how to make simple meals. It can be tough keeping them intrigue/engaging but is durable. Don’t allow your kids to become couch potatoes video game maniacs and make television as their only option. Parents, remove your cars from the garage and pack at the street corners, this will enable kids to use the garage/driveway to ride their scooters, bikes and skateboards. Be on the lookout with whom they are chatting with online, because some people are taking advantage of this situation by getting into their heads with all the wrong information. 

Social media can be toxic but helpful at the same time, supervise what they watch and be on the lookout for perverts. If possible, place parental guidance on all their gadgets. As adults, we should be mindful of what we share/forward, make it a habit to read the contents or do some research before forwarding. Not everything is worth forwarding/sharing. There is a lot of falsified information going around, let’s play our part by preventing it from going any further as responsible citizens.  I don’t know for how long we will be in this state, but I am praying not for too long. “If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” Psalm 91:9-12.

In light of this pandemic there will be people that benefit while others lose – is just the way life goes. Be on the lookout for scammers trying to take advantage of this situation. Don’t accept calls from unknown individuals – block and report as scam, if the call is  important, they will leave a message….that is while you have a voicemail in the first place. Most parents will benefit after all this is said and done because most were once told by their employers they couldn’t work from home, now is a possibility, anything online including but not limited to classes/shopping, apps,(zoom, skype, teacher’s corner) will be on the rise even Degrees in the medical profession will be a lucrative career option. Our personal hygiene will become our top priority, Our physical and mental health will get a front roll seat, and everyday quest for stuff will surely deteriorate and most importantly, I pray our spirituality increases in the name of Jesus. “Surely the arm of the lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:1-3 please read up to verse 16. Go back to cooking your own meals, (miascuisine), taking care of your physical health with simple/no equipment (miasfitbody), reading books/articles that enriched your soul/minds (miascuisineblog.com). I am still a firm believer that everything in this life happens for a reason – yes! Good or bad. We have to learn to extract something good out of every difficult situation. Take advantage of the deferment opportunities being offered by your banks, from mortgages, student loans, credit cards etc. Please don’t defer your payments if you still have your regular income – it will only prolong your amortization/term of the loan. We should be grateful for the snow in Alberta because without it, we will all be outside getting some sun – especially after being stuck indoors for the last seven months due to Winter, I guess this has been a contributing factor of the fewer Covid cases (no data to prove that). We are lucky to be living in the western world where we can apply for E.I., get stimulus packages and other incentives in times like this “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

It might seem like a long way home for those who have lost loved ones as a result of this pandemic, but I am reassuring you that this will soon come to pass as well. Coming from someone who has buried more than twenty family members – death is no news to  me rather a way back home. Is the reason why we truly need God. A rebirth of our faith, a reawakening, & a beginning of a new life for many – the possibility to have a Loving relationship with the Living Lord. While in isolation, lets not forget to support our local churches  by streaming the services they provide. Most importantly, if you are in the position to, pay your tithe/offering by either dropping it at your local churches or via their online services. The missionaries and other services the churches provide depends on us to keep those programs afloat. “So that your giving  may be in secret. Then your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:4. I am privileged to have a job and to be working from home in times like this, giving the opportunity to put a watchful eye on my children before they burn my house down. We can now save the excess we use for parking, gas, dining out & other work related expenses or we can allocate it towards other expenses or save for something important. My community in New York has been hit hard, and many of my friends have lost their jobs due to this pandemic – my heart goes out to them. “He says, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10. As we join forces in the fight against Covid-19, hats off for all our first respondents – janitors, nursing aids, medical assistants, lab technicians, nurses (My hubby), pharmacist, physicians, doctors and all those who are making a difference in our nation in one way or the other – our prayers go out to YOU! Our world might never be the same, our sanity might never be normal, our safety is questionable, our security is not guaranteed but “Because you obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have so that no one will take away from your crown.” Revelation 3:10. Stop the Movement, cover your cough, wear a Mask – little gestures can go a long way, but it starts with YOU! #Stay Safe! Stay Indoors! Stay Healthy! & Stay Blessed!

HAPPY EASTER! Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!