This morning, I caught myself complaining.
—Complaining about another day stuck inside these four walls.
—Complaining that I have to do another day of homeschool with my boys.
—Complaining that I can’t find a creative idea to make my son’s birthday special this week.
—Complaining that my family has to cancel their plans to visit us this spring.
—Complaining that I’ll need to exercise inside the house today, instead of outside in nature.
—Complaining that we may soon run out of dishwasher tablets.
—Complaining that my internet speed is too slow to work from home.
—Complaining that the grocery store shelves are empty, and they have instilled rations.
—Complaining that we may need to eat leftovers for the next few days.
—Complaining that we can’t move our belongings from France to Spain at the beginning of April as planned to move into our new rental house.
—Complaining that I’m tired of this situation.
Complaining, complaining, complaining . . .
Then, I remembered.
—Remembered that our friends just had to evacuate from Morocco overnight, because the borders were closed and they had to get out. The US Embassy sent in a charter flight to rescue them. Panic.
—Remembered that we have a very sick colleague in Tunisia with suspected Coronavirus. She is hospitalized, in critical condition, and cannot be medically evacuated to her home country. Tragedy.
—Remembered that my mother is alone in her house and just lost her beloved dog and only companion. There are a lot of lonely people in the world right now—in quarantine. Loneliness.
—Remembered that a work colleague here in Spain is very sick with the Coronavirus. She was 8 months pregnant and had to be induced. Devastation.
—Remembered that a work colleague just died suddenly of a brain aneurysm last week, leaving his wife and 7 children. Grief.
—Remembered that my dear friend here in Spain has aggressive cancer in multiple places in her body. She cannot get the results of her full body scan, because the medical system is saturated and in utter chaos. Her appointments are continually canceled, and she waits in the unknown. Worry.
—Remembered that 54 dorm students are stuck in a boarding school in Germany and cannot be reunited with their parents because of travel bans and closed borders. Separation.
—Remembered that there are people around the world who have lost jobs and income, have no food to eat, and no shelter over their heads. Loss.
—Remembered that there are doctors and nurses on the frontlines trying to save people from a deadly virus that is bigger than them. Helplessness.
Remembered that there are 33,089 cases of Coronavirus here in Spain right now, with 2,207 deaths. The numbers rise by the minute. Fear.
Remembered that there are 372,557 cases of Coronavirus in the world right now, with 16,312
When I Remembered . . .
When I remembered . . . my complaints turned to conviction. How dare I complain about leftovers, homeschool, moves, boredom . . . ?
When I remembered . . . my complaints turned to prayers. What if I prayed for the sick, the dying, the grieving, the trapped, the scared, the hopeless, the lost . . . ?
I need to remember more often, and stop complaining.
—THE CULTURAL STORY-WEAVER
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How is the Coronavirus outbreak affecting your life and causing disruption? Have you found yourself complaining these days? What can you remember in order to gain a fresh perspective of your circumstances—and those of others around the world?
We invite you to tell us your own cultural stories and global adventures . . . as you engage with the world, breaking down barriers, building bridges, and “weaving cultures!” Write about them in the comment box below.
Your story really puts it in perspective! This virus is affecting everyone . . . but some so much worse than others. If God can use this virus for his good, he will, and I just pray the world will turn to him for help and strength. Thanks for your story.
Yes, somehow this tragic story will have a redemptive ending!