Comments on: Silver and Gold Linings in the Storm Clouds of Coronavirus https://anitamathias.com/2020/03/28/silver-and-gold-linings-in-the-storm-clouds-of-coronavirus/ Anita Mathias's Blog on Faith and Art Sun, 12 Apr 2020 15:07:23 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Anita Mathias https://anitamathias.com/2020/03/28/silver-and-gold-linings-in-the-storm-clouds-of-coronavirus/#comment-63854 Sun, 12 Apr 2020 15:07:23 +0000 https://anitamathias.com/?p=67147#comment-63854 In reply to Andy Wong.

Happy Easter, Andy! Thank you for your comment. It’s always so good to read your thoughtful reflections.
My life too has been blessed by slowing down. I don’t think I will stir all the busyness back into the mix. There are one or two things I had been doing by habit, which I might now skip.
I too am dealing with clutter. However, what was boring–decluttering–when busy, is still boring and difficult when I have more free time. So the struggle was with the boredom of the task, not the lack of time to do it.
I too am struggling to not squander my time on the internet, and to remember to use my internet blockers. And yes, we must guard against squandering this strange gift of precious free time and space.., but to turn it to good.
Blessings, Andy.

]]> By: Andy Wong https://anitamathias.com/2020/03/28/silver-and-gold-linings-in-the-storm-clouds-of-coronavirus/#comment-63853 Sat, 11 Apr 2020 07:33:31 +0000 https://anitamathias.com/?p=67147#comment-63853 I agree with what you say Anita, and so glad you say it because, in the terrifying shadow of this virus, my life is blessed by slowing down and discovering who I am NOT. I reflect on my earlier prayers (before Covid-19) and see them being answered in ways I could not imagine at the time; hints of the radical changes I felt incapable of making myself, stepping away from the self validating cycle of meetings and having time just to be, and to sort out my old life with all its clutter. There’s still a long way to go, which will require much less Internet time. In our voluntary isolation together, my wife no longer nags me to spend more time with her but we must take care not to squander it, the ‘present’ space and time that is.

]]> By: Anita Mathias https://anitamathias.com/2020/03/28/silver-and-gold-linings-in-the-storm-clouds-of-coronavirus/#comment-63850 Mon, 06 Apr 2020 08:43:43 +0000 https://anitamathias.com/?p=67147#comment-63850 In reply to Gisela Goetz.

I know. This was written quite early on, and the devastation coronavirus has brought is increasing, especially in places like the US and in India. It’s a terrible disease!!

]]> By: Gisela Goetz https://anitamathias.com/2020/03/28/silver-and-gold-linings-in-the-storm-clouds-of-coronavirus/#comment-63849 Mon, 30 Mar 2020 01:36:58 +0000 https://anitamathias.com/?p=67147#comment-63849 There are some very uncomfortable things that go with this isolation. A dear friend had a heart attack today and was airlifted to a Pittsburgh hospital. The sadness is that this wife cannot be with him at this time. Imagine how many times this situation is probably repeated .

I enjoyed your writing, thanks!

]]> By: Anita Mathias https://anitamathias.com/2020/03/28/silver-and-gold-linings-in-the-storm-clouds-of-coronavirus/#comment-63848 Sun, 29 Mar 2020 14:40:55 +0000 https://anitamathias.com/?p=67147#comment-63848 In reply to Rhoda.

Church was the easiest of my losses!! :-). (Because I can chat to God more intensely at home.) I too love getting outside for long walks, I am doing a 4.5 mile walk at the moment. And it’s true, you forget everything, and are in a world of beauty, and the unchanging love of God. Oxford is SO beautiful at the moment!

]]> By: Anita Mathias https://anitamathias.com/2020/03/28/silver-and-gold-linings-in-the-storm-clouds-of-coronavirus/#comment-63847 Sun, 29 Mar 2020 14:38:53 +0000 https://anitamathias.com/?p=67147#comment-63847 In reply to John MacArthur.

Lovely to hear from you, as always, John. Faith does keep us more grounded… a blessing when we are so literally “grounded”… and who knows for how long. It’s such a beautiful spring, and Oxford is so alive with blossom and birdsong at the moment!

]]> By: Anita Mathias https://anitamathias.com/2020/03/28/silver-and-gold-linings-in-the-storm-clouds-of-coronavirus/#comment-63846 Sun, 29 Mar 2020 14:36:37 +0000 https://anitamathias.com/?p=67147#comment-63846 In reply to Zoe.

Thanks much, Zoe. Yes, I agree with you, and do go to church… but after Sundays spent out of doors…it’s going to look increasingly appealing 🙂

]]> By: Zoe https://anitamathias.com/2020/03/28/silver-and-gold-linings-in-the-storm-clouds-of-coronavirus/#comment-63845 Sun, 29 Mar 2020 10:52:55 +0000 https://anitamathias.com/?p=67147#comment-63845 Such a wonderful read Mum thanks so much! I still think there’s something valuable in the messy gatherings of people to worship God, otherwise known as church – they’re the people that help us see The Good in life when things go wrong – a helpful complement to the cathedrals of fields and forests,

Your church-worker daughter,

Zoe

]]> By: John MacArthur https://anitamathias.com/2020/03/28/silver-and-gold-linings-in-the-storm-clouds-of-coronavirus/#comment-63844 Sun, 29 Mar 2020 08:10:34 +0000 https://anitamathias.com/?p=67147#comment-63844 Prescient and sparkling as ever, Anita. We tumble headlong into activity after activity, then a quiet hand simply takes them all away without warning, and our understanding is not required. Mankind takes a deep breath and revisits the dusty corners of life long neglected and finds newness in the discarded, tremulous lights of hope where they thought there was none.We are more blessed, faith and charity to our neighbour keep us steadier and more grounded than most.

]]> By: Rhoda https://anitamathias.com/2020/03/28/silver-and-gold-linings-in-the-storm-clouds-of-coronavirus/#comment-63843 Sun, 29 Mar 2020 03:10:13 +0000 https://anitamathias.com/?p=67147#comment-63843 It’s interesting to read what you’re getting up to. I’m sorry you had to lose all those fun activities, but at least it’s just a season. Church was the hardest for me! I like your perspective. I love getting out in the outside and seeing God’s creation – it’s like nothing different is going on in the world when I’m out there!

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