“Hello Opa (Grand-pa), I am so so sad that you have to spend Easter alone this year. In the past, we have spent Easter together with all the family members as well as Oma. This year, we can not come because of Corona and the borders are closed. I have made this card for you to show that I am thinking of you. Lots of love Imani -Jane. Kisses’’
This week marks one year since the passing of Oma. She died last year in April just before her birthday. Easter has always been one of the many times we would all join at the house . The younger grand and great grand kids would be playing and running barefoot in the garden with chocolate melted all over their faces. The mothers would be worried about the sugar rush later on when we would get back home, but Oma did not let that bother her. She would insist, let the kids have fun!.
At the end of the day, usually at night, Opa and Oma would give all the young kids bags of Easter presents with more chocolate and eggs . The only ‘disagreement’ I have witnessed my parents in law having with their grown kids is that ‘they cared/ loved too much’. They always go the extra mile and there is nothing wrong with this. This year, there in no Oma to love too much on her babies and her memory will live in the hearts of her children, grand and great kids as well as extended kids forever.
When I-J, read to me what she had written, I felt saddened and wanted to be there for her and Opa as well. I wanted to cal him and just hear him speak for hours ~ he can easily do this. Problem is, my dutch is not that fluent for a deep conversation like this one would entail. I was so proud of I-J for thinking of this and doing it with the help of her dad posting the letter.
It made me ponder and think about the many people who are now more lonely and alone because of quarantine and forced isolation. In NL, its common for grandparents to have a granny day where the grandkids visit and spend the day or the grandparents pick the kids from school, spend time with them until evening when they drop them off home or parents pick them up, ~ this is not happening anymore.
Last week, some friends posted a selfie they had made through the window during the weekly grocery drop off and visit to their elderly parents. This made me smile that people are finding creative ways to still have contact , just not physical. Not being able to see your parents or grand kids for weeks and then having the opportunity to see them even just through the window, I bet would be the greatest feeling ever.
On the negative side, on the news this week, it was mentioned that domestic violence has increased the last 4 weeks since the lock down both in Belgium and The Netherlands. Children are calling helplines because of all kinds of abuse and the calls from partners in violent relationships has also gone up. Mostly, such cases in children are usually discovered during growth check ups at the health centers at least for children younger than 4years, where children are physically checked to see whether they are growing well.
However, since the pandemic all these check up have been transferred to calls. The doctor called me last week to check on how Amirah was doing and of course she had to believe all I said about her development. She was not there to check her body, skin or even weigh her to confirm everything. From my voice and questions, she had to believe all was ok. This is not the case in most homes, as children are left to starve or eat very unhealthy food not because of lack of money but because the parents do not care or they are under the influence of drugs and making food is the last thing on their list.
At the same time, I am reminded of the children of most struggling families in Kenya and other countries, where the family can not afford more than one meal. The children therefore the kids rely on well wishers who pay for lunch at the schools so the kids can have at least one warm meal. All this is not possible right now with schools closed and the parents out of jobs, it is a sad state.
The lockdown in most countries might be #flatteningTheCurve but is causing a lot of other mental challnges. Those who were in isolation depressed, are now more deeper in the valley because no one can come and camp at their door until they open up. Everyone is trying to survive and take care of themselves. This weekend, and going forward , as we remember what God’s beloved son did for humanity, let us take on His example and love beyond our bubble or four walls. Let us love deeper , listen keenly, give generously, forgive graciously.
Philippians 2:3-4
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
Lastly, I would like to encourage those going through dark times, anxiety , depression, addictions , fear and every bondage that ties you up. I pray you get the strength to proactively find or get access to meaningful connections around you or from an online group. The devil is a liar and will try to victimize you and tell you stories and scenarios where you failed so you can feed on self pity. However, I want to encourage us to reach out to someone for connection. We are stronger together and when we all arise to help each other, great things happen. Each one of us has been given unique sets of gifts that we are to put on service for Gods kingdom work. It is not of us to keep un – used. I may not be available for visits but if you send me a prayer request or just a simple ” Nelly, I am struggling”, I will reach out to you and we will pray together.
Romans 12:5
“So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.”
1 Corinthians 12:12
“For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many are one body, so also is Christ.”
1 Corinthians 12:26
“And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.”
Most importantly, after seeking ‘felllowship’, let us turn back from all fear and trust God by calling out to him as our father ~ He does hear us and wants to have a deeper connection with us. By letting fear rule, we are trying to be in control and thus fighting a battle that was already won thousands of years ago.
God knows we can not do it on our own and is therefore, waiting for an invitation. Will you invite him to walk with you? Would you let Him in? Remember, He is the one who was abandoned in darkness to die for you. He rose again in victory and chooses to leave the 99 to come and find you. Ooh, in the moments of my valley season, anxiety, pain, confusion and ‘doubt’, I want to be found by Him, don’t you?
“…God of salvation
You chased down my heart
Through all of my failure and pride
On a hill You created
The light of the world
Abandoned in darkness to die
And as You speak
A hundred billion failures disappear
Where You lost Your life so I could find it here
If You left the grave behind You so will I
I can see Your heart in everything You’ve done
Every part designed in a work of art called love
If You gladly chose surrender so will I
I can see Your heart
Eight billion different ways
Every precious one
A child You died to save
If You gave Your life to love them so will I
Like You would again a hundred billion times
But what measure could amount to Your desire
You’re the One who never leaves the one behind….” #SoWillI.
Matthew 11:28
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
John 15:15
No longer do I call you servants, for the servant doesn’t know what his lord does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you.
Psalm 139:7-10
“Where can I go from Your Spirit?Or where can I flee from Your presence?If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.”
Let us wash our faces and celebrate the one who lost His life so you and I could find it.
Lots of love,
Mama Faith, Hope and Love.