Parents, I Wouldn't Touch You With a Six Foot Pole!* Words from COVID 19 quarantine

Parents, I wouldn’t touch you with a six foot pole. On our houseboat we had a docking stick it was designed to assist when docking a boat or helping another boat tie up to yours. You could push the boat away if it was getting too close and it had a hook to pull the boat closer until you could tie it with a rope. You could even use it to keep an annoying sibling at bay, hypothetically of course. This stick was also called a “barge pole.” A barge pole was about 10 feet long, though ours was a bit shorter. There was an expression that supposedly originated during an epidemic many years ago. If someone appeared to be sick, people would say, “I wouldn’t touch them with a barge pole” or a “10 foot pole.” There was a college close to mine that had a strict “6 inch rule” for men and women on campus. I was amused that you could be “written up” for sitting or walking closer than 6 inches to someone of the opposite sex. Reportedly, school officials would actually come with a ruler to measure and make sure you were far enough apart. Who knew even six inches would be five and a half feet too close to those around you during this pandemic. Apparently now we no longer have poles and rulers to keep us apart, just signs, tape and stickers on the ground to keep a 6 foot perimeter and directional signs in the grocery store to keep us from infecting one another. If someone without a mask comes down the same shopping aisle and gets too close, my plan is to loudly clear my throat, to send a warning shot over the bow. If that doesn’t work, I’ll go straight to the big guns and break out into a full fledged fake coughing fit… my guess is they will clear right out. I get it, we all need boundaries, and personal space. However, we are social beings and we are desperate for belonging and connection. For health and safety we need enough space to stay safe from an airborne virus, for which we have no immunity, but socially we need the interaction. Digital connection, driveway connections, and distance socializing seem to be the only safe ways to connect right now.

The writer of Hebrews says, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25 (NIV) Because we love each other and try to protect each other from possible infection, we have had to get in the habit of “not meeting together” in person, and it means we will have to be more diligent in encouraging one another from a distance. This belonging and connection part of our faith is too important to neglect while we are physically apart. There will be a time, at some point, when we can get back together, but for now it looks like we may be meeting together with a six foot pole. Who knew that the words, “I wouldn’t touch you with a six foot pole” would actually be terms of endearment. We will have to continue to find creative ways to safely “encourage one another” today. Call, facetime, Zoom, send delivery, or like Mrs. Doubtfire do a “driveby fruiting” or drop off some flowers, ring the bell and run away. Love and encourage creatively people! Like Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, “Happy trails to you, until we meet again... keep smilin’ until then.”

Hang in there people! God is with us! I’m praying for you all!

Parents, Don't Succumb to Ennui!* Words from COVID 19 quarantine

Parents, don’t succumb to ennui. We McGinnises can be quite effusive. So, one time when my father-in-law was asking our kids to be quiet, my youngest daughter said, “quiet is my worst enemy,” she couldn’t stand the thought of nothing going on. Unfortunately, child number 4 had never really known quiet. Her first years of life were spent in a car seat taking siblings to school, soccer, dance, or a friend’s house. Even her naps happened in that same car seat with all kinds of chaos going on around her. She still falls asleep easily when riding in the car, her sister-in-law who does the same, calls it “carcolepsy.” She didn’t know what to do when things would finally get quiet. For her, to be alive was to be going somewhere, doing something, listening to the conversations. Anita made it a point to read to the kids every night at bedtime and when the youngest finally went to first grade, a teacher helped her discover her own joy of reading. Everyday this teacher would read to her class and Annabelle was taken on a new adventure. She loved to read. We couldn’t get her to the library quickly enough to keep her in a new book, she loved a great story. As she got older, she would sometimes read an entire large book in one night, the school librarian would keep her informed when a new book or series was available. She had found that the quiet, who had been her worst enemy, was now her friend, and she would escape toward it, to go on her next adventure in a book.

Our God has written an exciting story for us all. He is a creative God… He’s the God of all creation. Since before time began He wrote an exciting story of rescue, reconciliation, and redemption. Out of the quiet nothingness, He created something, life… everything. But even before that, He wrote our story… Paul says, “He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.” 2 Timothy 1:9 (CSBBible) Paul also says, “,we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 (NLT2) So, there is no room for ennui… we are a masterpiece that He wrote before time began. This pandemic is not a surprise to Him. He knew we would be here now in the middle of this, and He has a story to write with how we handle this… what we do with this struggle, this hardship to be overcome. So, don’t succumb to boredom, continue to discover what story you are writing with your life in the lives of those around you. Your story fits inside His great story, He has invited you to join Him in it. Remind your kids that God is writing their story right now too.

Hang in there People! God is with us! I’m praying for you all!

Parents, I Like to Move It, Move It! Words from COVID 19 quarantine

Parents, I like to move it, move it! If sitting is the new smoking... I’m up to about 2 packs a day during this “stay at home” time. My watch reminds me every hour, “Time to Stand.” It also reminds me when I am not exercising or moving enough. It will tell me at 11:30 at night, “you can still do it, you can close your move ring. Just take a brisk 45 minute walk.” It’s difficult to get 10k steps in when you are staying at home, especially if it’s a rainy day, when it’s more of a challenge to get out and take a walk. My mind has been busier than I ever anticipated when this thing started, but physically, especially when the gym closed, it was harder to stay active. When I was a kid, my mother didn’t put up with any sitting around whining about being bored or having nothing to do… we were shooed outside to play until dinner or given yard work tasks to do. She always made sure we were involved in something: she had us in classes at the children’s museum to learn how to run television cameras, guitar classes, sailing classes, swim classes, ski lessons, tennis lessons… She was always active in the community and in the church and had us active too.

One of the biggest challenges of this time for me is not being able to “do” something. At times, I have been accused of being a “human doing,” rather than a human being. Sometimes it's hard for me to just “be.” These stay at home orders challenge the way we do life, even the way we do faith. Many in my church love to serve other people… right now we are limited in the ways we can do that. Our mission pastor has figured out ways to help a local food pantry that is experiencing a lot of strain. Our deacons have discovered novel ways of ministering to those in need at home. Interestingly though, serving within the church buildings has been shut down or changed dramatically… there is no need for ushers, or door greeters or meal preparers, or large choirs and orchestra, or preschool caregivers. Teaching, preaching, student ministry and children’s ministry has changed from being physically together, to being together virtually. There are times when God’s Word tells His people to “be still!” Sometimes we have to be content to just be still and belong to Him. This seems to be one of them. (with some exceptions, like my friends in Chattanooga who have been tirelessly helping tornado survivors)

The apostle Paul told one of the young pastors he was coaching, that during the situation at that time, the church needed to be quiet and pray, The purpose was so that people would see the truth about God’s great desire to be in relationship with them. This may be one of those times in our history… Paul tells Timothy: “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV) There may be a time soon when God will call us to go and “DO” again, but right now it He seems to be saying to me, get quiet, get in my Word, pray and “be” My people, so that those who may not be following God will seek Him.

Hang in there people! God is with us! I’m praying for you all!

Parents, We're Now In An Ultra-Marathon! Words From COVID 19 quarantine

Parents, we’re now in an ultra-marathon. Fifteen or so years ago, when I served a church in Nashville, Anita Grossmann McGinnis decided she wanted to run the Country Music Half Marathon, now called the Rock ‘n Roll Marathon. We have a friend, Dennis Freeman, who is a distance runner, who generously set up a plan to help her train for this 13.1 mile run. Anita diligently trained whenever the schedule said to train and she rested whenever it said rest. Some days when she trained, I would put the kids, who were aged 4-8 in the truck and drive in front of her for a few blocks so they could cheer her on. Many days though, it was just her and the road. Finally the day came for her to run… She and about 10,000 runners, including my sister, Angela Wampler, went to the starting line before the sun was up… I took the kids a little later, so we could see them and join the amazing crowds there to cheer the runners on. The race route also had live bands playing at certain points, who gave even more encouragement to the runners. Anita completed the run with a good time and received a medal to commemorate the accomplishment. We were all so proud of her hard work and we celebrated her finish. The friend who had helped Anita, was an ultra-marathoner. Anything over 26.2 miles is considered an ultra-marathon… He would sometimes run more than 80 miles. They say that Ultras don’t usually have large crowds to cheer them on, not as many runners, it’s a lonelier race… you and the road or sometimes the trail. Much respect to you runner people… I now only run if I have to.

This pandemic is beginning to seem more like an Ultra-marathon, a lot longer, potentially more lonely, and seems like it may never end. There will be a temptation to lose hope, to lose our way, to lose our faith, to compromise who we are in Jesus. One of the things that stuck with me as my kids and I watched and waited for Anita to run past us, was that the runners were cheering each other on too, not just the organizers, volunteers, friends and family, and musicians along the route. At this point, though none of us signed up for this ultra-marathon, it seems we are ALL doing this thing together… We have to cheer each other on... but wearing a mask and staying six feet apart.

The writer of Hebrews tells us that there is a “great cloud of witnesses,” who have endured the hardships of this world and kept the Faith, who are watching and cheering us on toward Jesus through our hardships. He says, “With so many witnesses in a great cloud all around us, we too, then, should throw off everything that weighs us down and the sin that clings so closely, and with perseverance keep running in the race which lies ahead of us.” Hebrews 12:1 (NJB) Anita says that she never realized how much of a boost of adrenaline she would get from the cheers of the spectators who were urging her to finish well when she was beginning to tire. Remember, there is a cloud of witnesses who have been there... and are now here, even if not seen, who are cheering us on. So, keep running, keep encouraging others around you. Jesus is not only celebrating with us at the finish line, He and those who follow Him cheer us all along the way... They are running right along with us, but much closer than six feet.

Hang in there People! God is with us! I’m praying for you all!

Parents, We're Gonna Haveta Keep Listening! Words from COVID 19 quarantine

Parents, we're gonna haveta keep listening. In highschool, I had a really great swim coach, who was also a great person. Not only was he great at helping our team win by placing people in the right races to achieve the most points, but he was also a good technical coach and encourager. One swim meet against our rivals, the points were close and he said he needed me to swim a race that I had never swum well. There were some really great swimmers on my team who went on to swim in college, but they were already swimming in all the events they possibly could. I enjoyed the sport, but I was no Michael Phelps. Coach needed me to swim the individual medley, or “IM” as the cool kids used to say. It was a combination of all the strokes: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle. As I expressed my concern about the race, he assured me that I would do well if I kept my strokes long and strong, reached for the end of the pool, didn’t look at the swimmers beside me, and kept my breathing steady. After finishing the first stroke, butterfly, I was already fatigued and short of breath and I began to fall behind. I started listening to myself, reminding myself, “you’ve never done well in this race, it’s too hard, and look at the kid next to you, he is really good.” But then, on the backstroke, my coach, on the side of the pool, caught my eye and reminded me to stretch out my strokes, reach for the end of the pool, quit looking around and control my breathing. Whenever the fatigue began to tell me that I couldn’t do this race, my coach’s voice would ring in my head reminding me to “stretch out your stroke, reach for the end of the pool and control your breathing.” I ended up finishing well enough to get the points we needed. My finish depended on whom I was listening to in my head during the race. Kinda sounds like a cheesy Disney Special doesn’t it? Maybe a little, but the point is this, who we listen to makes a difference in the outcome.

There have been some times during this pandemic that I start hearing, “you can’t do this, this is too much to deal with, it's too hard, just drop out of the race and take care of yourself, look out for those people who are going to take advantage of you.” But my Head Coach tells me, keep listening to Me, don’t look around at the circumstances, keep reaching out to encourage other people, keep breathing… remember it’s all about relationships… your relationship with Me and your relationships with those around you. The Prophet Isaiah tells us that times like these can make us ready to listen to our Coach. Isaiah says, “The Lord will give you meager bread and water during oppression, but your Teacher will not hide any longer. Your eyes will see your Teacher, and whenever you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: "This is the way. Walk in it." Isaiah 30:20-21 (CSBBible)

Listen to Christ who is the Head Coach… get out of your own head, let Him and His Word speak to you. He will tell you the way to go.

Hang in there people! God is with us! I’m praying for you all!

Parents, Keep on the Sunny Side: Words from COVID 19 quarantine

Parents… and anyone else who may happen to see this, Keep on the sunnyside. As the sun streams through my window this morning, I was reminded of an article I had written several years ago… It seems appropriate to dust it off a little and share the thoughts with you now. Maybe you have seen the classic movie from 2000 called “Oh Brother Where Art Thou” (It is a humorous interpretation of Homer's epic poem "The Odyssey", set in the deep south during the Great Depression). In that movie a group of Nashville area Baptist minister’s daughters called the Peasall sisters, who were elementary age at the time, sang some songs on the sound track called “In the Highways” and “Angel Band.” A couple of years after the movie, I had the privilege of hearing these talented sisters play live at a luncheon for area pastors in Nashville, where I was serving a church at the time. Among the songs they sang that day was a bluegrass song (actually sung by someone else on the movie soundtrack) called “Keep on the Sunny Side” written by June Carter Cash. The sweet voices of these Grammy award winners and the encouraging words of this classic song helped change my focus that day and still keep reminding me years later to “keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side” and to “trust in the Saviour always, To keep us, every one, in His care.” Here are the words to encourage you in case you hit a “dark and a troubled side of life” during this pandemic and its effects on our world.

Keep on the Sunny Side
by June Carter Cash
(Chorus)
Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side,
Keep on the sunny side of life.
It will help us every day, it will brighten all the way,
If we keep on the sunny side of life.

Well there's a dark and a troubled side of life.
There's a bright and a sunny side too.
But if you meet with the darkness and strife,
The sunny side we also may view.

Oh, the storm and its fury broke today,
Crushing hopes that we cherish so dear.
Clouds and storms will in time pass away.
The sun again will shine bright and clear.

Let us greet with a song of hope each day.
Though the moments be cloudy or fair.
Let us trust in our Saviour always,
To keep us, every one, in His care.

If you are not familiar with the tune you can hear the Peasall sisters sing it online at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgZzQOWnvg0&NR=1

There are always two sides to every situation…a positive and a negative. We need to look for and focus on the positives in each situation, and don’t let the negatives devastate us. Jesus told His disciples, “You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.” John 16:20b (NIV) So, Keep on the Sunny Side.

Hang in there people! God is with us! I’m praying for you all!

Parents, We Need Some Oxytocin: Words From COVID 19 quarantine

Parents, We need some Oxytocin. I have been known to say to Anita Grossmann McGinnis, “I need some oxytocin.” What I really mean is, “I need a hug.” Oxytocin is called the “cuddle hormone.” It apparently reduces stress and increases joy and happiness, but it also gives us that sense of significant attachment that we all need. (I have also discovered that the synthetic form of this hormone is called “Pitocin.” If that sounds familiar, it's what doctors use to induce labor. On second thought, maybe I don’t need oxytocin!!! I think 4 adult kids may be enough!) Our body produces this hormone when we hug someone, that’s one of the reasons relationship experts say we need at least 12 hugs a day to thrive. So, if loved ones are near you, give them a hug, attach and connect, let them know you love them no matter what. If loved ones are not near, the gift of oxytocin can also come from petting an animal, holding a baby, or taking care of someone’s or something's needs. This can be an especially hard time for those who are single or isolated for health reasons to get some oxytocin from other people, pets or peds. Hugs are extremely risky and kids, pets, and serving other people may not be a safe option either. I hurt for those who feel disconnected and unattached at this time.

The good news is God gives us all this gift of oxytocin, even if there is no other creature close enough to connect with. The Creator Himself gives us a satisfying dose of the attachment hormone when we connect with Him in a meaningful way through Songs, Prayer, reading His Word, Communion, and other forms of Worship. In Jesus’ longest recorded prayer, He prays for, among other things, our attachment with Him, an attachment so close we are actually IN Him, IN The Heavenly Father and IN attachment with each other. He says, "The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.” John 17:22-23 (NASB) This connection is so real to us spiritually that it translates to our whole being. When it happens… you guessed it… we get an oxytocin bath that relieves our stress, brings us joy, and gives us that sense of connection that we all need... which we, in turn can reflect back to Him and those around us. And “if two or more are gathered IN His Name” even virtually, it can help connect us to Him and our Christian brothers and sisters even if they are too far away for a hug.

Hang in there people! God is with us! I’m praying for you all!