2020 has become a much different year than what many of us were hoping for in January. So much about our lives has changed. Schools closed. Churches shut down. Movie theaters “temporarily closed.” Athletic games and concerts “canceled” and “postponed.” It’s almost as if the Marvel villain Thanos is real, and decided to obtain the Infinity Gauntlet, and instead of “snapping” his fingers to kill half the universe, he decided to bring the Coronavirus into existence.
I am with family temporarily because of the Coronavirus pandemic, but for most of the past six years, I have lived in Fort Collins, CO in an area commonly known as Old Town.
My apartment building happens to be occupied mostly by senior citizens. They are wonderful people, each carrying a magnificent and unique story of their own.
I have always been fascinated by stories. Be they in books, or in movies, a good and engaging story, that is filled with hope is something that encourages me and enables me to endure the harsh realities of life.
Being a lover of stories, I love to notice story-worthy moments in life. Whether they are in my own or others’ lives, seeing them thrills me, giving me hope for where our stories will go next.
However, not every person has a story that is as epic or adventurous as they may desire. Very few achieve wide acclaim, become famous, or have a memoir or movie made about their life.
Yet, not having all the fame and acclaim, DOES NOT mean that your life isn’t worth living or that your story isn’t worth telling.
If there was ever a moment I learned this, it was when I met an old man named Ronald.
Walking into my apartment building one day, I was almost at the elevator when I turned around and saw an old man sitting at the piano in our lobby playing a song.
I slowly walked over to him and introduced myself. He told me his name was Ronald and then he shared some of his own life story.
“My honey and I used to have a piano in our home. We never had much, but she loved Sinatra, and every time I come down here and play ‘The Way You Look Tonight’ I think of her.”
I didn’t say much after that, and neither did he. Yet, though he was old and incredibly frail, I saw behind his tears, a hint of a smile, and perhaps a little more of happiness.
He may have lost his “honey.” He may have lost his youth, independence, and quality of life that he once knew. Yet, I learned that night that he HAD NOT lost everything.
Coronavirus has changed lives around the world. So much of what we love has either been taken from us or canceled. Lives and livelihoods have been lost for so many. So many of us do not know how to handle the overwhelming changes we have experienced. While there is hope with signs of reopening countries and states, our insecurities and anxieties still remain.
I do not know what you have lost during this time. I do not know the pain you have experienced, or the doubts you may have about the meaning of life, or if yours is even worth living anymore.
Yet, I know that the Bible says that you are His child and that your life is worth living. Even if all is taken away from you, or from me, He will never leave or forsake us. He will remain, Lord, as He has and will for eternity.
I know too, that whether we live to become old and frail, or just feel worn from life, that His Word will always be true, forever and always.
Psalm 73:26 NIV
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Thank you for reading.
Jacob McGowen
The Adventures of A Warrior 