Sometimes nations make really dumb decisions.

Now it's Thursday, March 19, 2020, and we continue the journey. It's not the journey we were on just 10 days ago. In fact, the wife and I had a much needed, longed for, and greatly anticipated getaway planned for this upcoming weekend. It all had to be canceled due to the changed environmental issues being faced. Therefore, we are parked here at the house where we get our mail each day. The Corona Virus has brought to light many issues where we as a nation were discovered to be vulnerable. One in particular that I have read a lot about is our 80% dependence on China for the raw ingredients needed to manufacture our medications. China, at times, may be friendly with us for whatever reason they deem to be in their self-interest, but, they are not our friend. Never forget that! During the course of this pandemic, they have flexed their muscles and even threatened to use our dependence on them for raw ingredients as a weapon. Sure, they have done that before with all the debt of ours they own. They have done that during trade disputes. But, when we don't have alternatives to the means to treat and recover from disease because of this dependence, well, that makes it a national security issue. I don't know all the stories of how we got to where this is the current situation, but, I do know it has something to do with lower costs and the profits of those making the drugs and selling them. And, yes, it is a government responsibility since it is a matter of our ability to survive. Let me just say this about that. This is a really bad situation to be in. No way to make it better than what it is. It's bad. It will take time to change if it can be changed. I'm not spreading fear. Check it out. There are plenty of reputable stories out there reporting on this issue.

Now is the time for us to all use every means available to keep up with each other, to check on those who are most vulnerable, and to generally find innovative ways to minister to those in need. This past Tuesday evening I was a part of a video conference where Sunday school leaders met to map out ways to continue serving during these times of curtailed movement. It was led by our associate pastor and the neat thing was how we could all see each other as we discussed these important matters. Technology has come a long way and the particular utility used for this conference was very simple to access and use. I mention that because technology is one of the primary ways that can be used to stay in touch with our members. My class is an aging class. Some do not have the means to connect to a townhall type of video conference. Some do. Some are already using Facetime and other apps to talk with their children, grandchildren, or, their great-grands. Our main services will be reduced to live streaming since the current guidelines have greatly reduced the number of folks who can physically be together in one place. It comes down to using everything we can to continue our mission, to reach, to teach, and to minister to people. We have a fellow in the hospital. The hospital has more or less stopped all visitors except in very rare circumstances. I have been able to visit with him by phone, pray with him, and to encourage him. We all have those we can check on. You may have thought of someone when you read this. Call them.

One thing I have noticed is how the birds and other wildlife have not noticed we are in a lockdown. At the break of dawn, the birds begin their melodic welcome to the new day. The squirrels, and, we have a huge crop of new ones this year, they begin chattering forth and back and scampering all over the place. They got their memo from their creator and are going about their business as usual. I didn't go through the Great Depression but I was raised up by those who did. My grandparents were forever changed as a result and every day they sought to make do with what they had at hand. My mom was a young girl but she too came out of that time of distress with a different perspective which produced a lifelong commitment to her being frugal. We picked up a smidgen of their austerity and when the wife and I started out we got by on a lot less than we expect today. There's some truth to the old adage about not missing something you never had. Of course, things have changed over the years and God has blessed us with many of the amenities that define life today. Could we revert back and get by on a lot less? We would like to think we could but we will also be glad if it doesn't come to that. One thing we do know is how it is all in God's hands and whatever He chooses to do, it will be in keeping with His perfect counsel and will. He knows best even if His best involves some pain and difficulty along the way. Amen. ....More later.