Miles In Missions

“We should probably go to the grocery store. If you need me to go, I will. I think one of us needs to go because there won’t be anything left.” Lenny said after day 4 of Coronavirus pandemic. He had asked me everyday of the pandemic and every time he had brought it up, it overwhelmed me.

I wasn’t stressed because of the thought of crazy people fighting over toilet paper.

I wasn’t stressed over the thought that I might get Coronavirus.

I was stressed because I was being forced to buy stuff that we didn’t need right now. Just the thought of all that stuff in my house, overwhelmed me.

In Egbe Nigeria, we were so excited to be able to get novelties like cheese, milk, sliced bread, potatoes and apples that when there wasn’t any, we just didn’t have cheese, milk, sliced bread, potatoes or apples. We grew accustomed to having limited choices for snacks and food and just ate what was there. I didn’t realize how simple life is when you don’t have so many options until I came back to the U.S. and had so many options that it stressed me out to just make a decision on bread. White, Wheat, Honey Wheat, Stone Grain, Whole Grain, Sprouted Grain, Gluten Free, Organic, Round Top, Hawaiian, Sourdough, Rye, Multi Grain…..ahhhhh!

For the first time since Coronavirus reared its ugly head, I was anxious, stressed and overwhelmed.

What is wrong with me?

Why don’t I want to stock up?

What even do I buy and stock up on?

We have plenty of meat because Lenny killed four deer this year. We have one loaf of bread, one gallon of milk, plenty of cereal, lunch meat, cheese, chips and snacks. We might be low on side dishes for our dinners, but they aren’t going to run out of vegetables and produce so I can go and buy those as we need them.

So, what exactly do I need to buy and why?

I mean everyone else is doing this, shouldn’t I?

Am I missing out on something, because I just don’t get it? If we run out of milk, bread, cereal, cheese, chips and snacks, then I guess we will eat something else.

I did end up sitting down and making a list of items to buy that I could freeze or keep and make later if America runs out of food. Honestly it is still only about one week of meals which is what I prepare for every week anyways.

Am I the only one struggling with getting all worked up over this pandemic?

Yes, I totally see the need to stop the spreading of this highly contagious virus by refraining from gatherings and washing my hands regularly. But the hoarding, stockpiling, purchasing of guns, posting on social media posts that instill fear, panic and anxiousness into others, I just don’t get it.

Am I weird?

Is this a missionary thing? Am I not anxious about a virus that is spreading in one of the most medically and technologically sound countries in the world because I spent 6 years in Nigeria where we experienced Ebola, regular Fulani tribal wars and community shootings? Or, is it because I am reminded in my quiet time this morning of Hebrews 2:7b – 8  you have crowned him with glory and honor putting everything in subjection under his feet. Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him.

So, what is your response to this pandemic?