As a registered nurse working on a Covid unit at Fairfax Hospital, it has been humbling to see the appreciation the entire nation sends out to the frontline workers. The outpouring of support has been nothing short of awesome (and delicious thanks to local restaurants sending us scrumptious meals almost every day). But in reality, my colleagues and I are just doing our jobs. Yes, we have to wear a lot more personal protection equipment (Lord have mercy); yes, it was confusing as to the method of virus transmission and how safe we really are with that equipment (Christ have mercy) and yes, we were seeing firsthand the devastation this virus brings (Lord have mercy).
However, the gift of this stress was that the entire hospital united as a team as never before to face this threat. Team huddles before every shift became de facto support groups where we vented our fears and our exhaustion to each other. We keep extra careful watch over each other during the shift. There was no shame in asking for help with our work because help was freely given. Grace was abundant. Hospital leadership supported us by giving us extra staff for each shift, provided open and honest communication about the confusion and progression of the Covid cases, and delineated the new realities in policy and procedures that will have to happen going forward.
But as these new realities settle in, I am grateful for my old faith. I am able to view this Covid time as a gift only because my view was shaped by the lessons I learned over the years at Holy Comforter. It was here that I found there is no shame in asking for help. I have been carried by the Stephen Ministers, discipleship groups, healing prayer, and Relationship Recovery ladies during the most uncertain and confusing times in my life. Always there is a parishioner/friend sincerely asking me how I am doing—Grace is abundant. I have been awed by the leadership of Jon, Ann, Jackie, and David and the rest of the staff at Holy Comforter and their open and honest communication regarding our current reality and the future of our worship space and ministry together. I so appreciate the extra effort of online worship and zoom calls. We are a team and we are united as never before.
Yes, I’d rather have avoided this whole corona mess, yet here we are. But going through this time with my faith and friends and my brothers and sisters in Christ is priceless. There will be more storms of life, there always are. However, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that all shall be well, because I
know
that God is good—I see that His people (especially the people of Holy Comforter) are good. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.
Lynne Brents
