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Thursday, April 2, 2020

Your Dying Spouse 744 - It's Not The New Normal {Five Minute Friday}

I really, really hate fashionable jargon.

And I save a particular loathing for The New Normal.

This isn't normal, guys. Normal was what we had before; this coronavirus thing is a war, and while it calls for adaptation, we have to remember what we're fighting for.

We are fighting for the lives we had, lives and freedoms that has been so harshly taken away.


In the weeks and months ahead we'll develop new routines, new circles of connexion. And it'll be tempting, as they become comfortable with use, to forget what had been.

The virtual church may be a lot more convenient - and perhaps compelling - than the clumsy building with the fickle aircon.

The online friends we meet in virtual community know our hearts better than the bearded beery Asian redneck with too many dog and guns who lives next door (yes, that's me, and this is a test).

But when Nana comes to visit when this is over, and she trips and hurts her hip, the Thug Next Door will leap the fence (knocking it down in the process) to come help, and the beer fumes will keep Nana from passing out.

The need for isolation will pass.

Make sure the desire for it is banished, too, for as a certain carpenter once said,

Where two or more are gathered in My name, there I am in the midst of them.

He makes allowances for today's condition, I figure. Gather at a distance, for now.

Just don't let that distance take root.

They say this is New Normal,
that our lives to come will be
changed in manners (still informal)
which will gain permanency.
We will not care to gather
fearful of contaigon's knife,
but in future times will rather
pass in the virtual through our life
and throw aside community,
forsaking, too, the words of Donne;
ask not reason for the bell, prithee,
'tis for you it shall be rung!
When we abandon our lane-neighbour,
we cast off love, and Christ's labour.

Music from Vertical Horizon, with I'm Still Here in an oddly touching video that uses imagery from the roleplaying Final Fantasy game.


Thanks to Carol Ashby, Blessed Are The Pure Of Heart is back on Kindle, and will be available in paperback soon.

Friends are everything. I couldn't have done it.

Marley, the canine waif from Afghanistan, whom WE helped save, has a Facebook page! Please drop by to see how happy he is today.


Below are my recent releases on Kindle -please excuse their presence in the body of the blog. I haven't the energy to get them up as 'buttons' in the sidebar. You can click on the covers to go to the Amazon links.








27 comments:

  1. a timely reminder indeed Andrew. I don't want us to get too comfortable in this adaptation we are forced to live under. People are important.

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    1. Annette, exactly. It really is about people. Thanks so much for being here!

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  2. I think this new normal has really shaken us up.

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    1. Indeed it has, Great Granny Grandma. We need to shake back, I think.

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  3. OOOOh. Burn baby. This introvert is more extroverted during COVID than ever before. Serving....xo

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    1. Burn and serve, Susan! (Which actually always happens when I try to barbecue...)

      XOXOXOXO

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  4. As always I appreciate your words and the pictures you paint. "The need for isolation will pass.Make sure the desire for it is banished, too" That is a good reminder. May this new now never feel like the new normal. Blessings

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    1. I completely agree...may this never feel normal!

      Blessings back!

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  5. I needed this one so much, Andrew. I've been trying so hard to make this our new "normal" and it's not... And that's ok to acknowledge. I guess I just needed that permission- thank you!

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    1. Annie, thank YOU...you have it exactly right, that we ant to be OK with the 'new normal'...and it's o not to be OK, and it's not normal.

      So glad you're here!

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  6. P.S. Thanks for visiting my blog. I loved the sonnet in your comment. You have the gift of words. :)

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    1. Great Granny Grandma, thank YOU! Loved your writing, the heart and verve in your words!

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  7. Such a powerful reminder, Andrew! >>> "The need for isolation will pass.Make sure the desire for it is banished." May we not make this the new normal. May you and Barb stay safe!

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    1. Joanne, thank you so much for this. Y'all stay safe, too!

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  8. You are so right Andrew! Hebrews says, "forsake not the assembling of yourselves"! Right now we assemble distantly, but we must not resign to this abnormality. We also must not let paranoia take over, even after this is passed. In the meantime, consider isolation as a separation into God, for the sanctification of our lives and listen to what the Spirit has to say. Praying for you and Barabara!

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    1. Mary, that's perect Scripture for the occasion, and your commentary is excellent. Thank you so much!

      Prayers back at you1

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  9. Great as usual, Andrew. We are designed to fellowship with other believers and long to be able to do that together again.

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    1. Duane, thank you so much! It is for fellowship we are truly made, you're absolutely right!

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  10. Don't let the distance take root. I am concern that is going to be a problem. For our communities, our churches, our society....

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    1. I'm concerned too, Jennifer...but I believe that with Christ, we will find our way back, and know the full value of that fellowship we had, for a time, lost.

      Thank you so much for being here!

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  11. I really think people will be so excited about joining in up-close-and-personal gatherings once this quarantine is over, Andrew. Although I'm sure there will be those who much prefer the "safety"--both physical and spiritually--of virtual community and will stay there long after the green light shines. I'm really missing my face-to-face times with friends. Zoom meetings have been helpful, but a poor substitute for me. Thanks for the reminder to never let this be our "new normal." I hope you are staying safe and capturing special moments with Barbara! Praying for you, my friend!

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    1. Beth, I hope you're right, and that the 'personal' does come roaring back. A fundamental shift in the way we relate, out of fear driven deep and pervasive, is a danger, and it's what we truly don't need.

      We're doing good, and as always, I'm living the dream (even though the visible tumours are turning a weird shade of purple...).

      Thank you so much for the prayers! Praying that you and yours stay safe, happy, and above all sheltered in Jesus' arms!

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  12. Yep, life is different. It seems like a year, not a few weeks. How are both of you managing in this crisis?

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    1. My dearest Norma...we're OK. Barb's work is essential, and I can still back her up.

      How YOU???

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    2. I'm doing well but sort of tired of my own company. I've put myself on a schedule so I don't get lazy. I'm unhappy that I can't visit my 90 year old dad. Good to hear you two are ok.

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  13. Thanks for these thoughts, Andrew – this, too, shall pass. Hope you're well, Katha

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    1. Katha, thank you so much! We're doing OK, and you are in our prayers.

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