By Cathy Jameson

...the people who sit in darkness 

have seen a great light,

on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death

light has arisen...   Matthew 4:16

Darkness.  The last two years have been covered by darkness.  Thoughts, words and deeds, as well as other parts of life as we knew it, were taken over by covid.  In some places in the world, its grip is still pretty tight.  Travel restrictions haven't been completely lifted.  Mask mandates are still being enforced.  Despite the risks, that liability-free covid vaccine is still being required for some.  Those running the covid show are not ready to walk away from what they started.  Nor are they willing to give an inch to the rest of us.  How can we find our way out of the darkness?

By not giving up - even though it feels like every odd is against you.

By keeping one foot in front of the other - even though you've tripped so many times already.

By finding one, just one, tiny positive thing to think about - even though negatives may be all about you.

I keep thinking that at some point, things have to settle back down.  With all the changes the public was forced to make, including the most bizarre ones that have happened, I don't know when that'll happen.  But this time of sacrificing that we've experienced has to end.  Some people aren't waiting for an official end to be declared and have successfully taken a stand.  They've stopped sacrificing their children's mental health, their own jobs, and their family's livelihoods in 'the name of Science'.  They've taken back their rights and are living life as normally as before.  I saw that building up at the beginning of 2022.  I saw that happen through the recent Lenten season also.  

The time of Lent is a season of repentance and reflection of Jesus’ suffering.  It's a purposeful season that builds up to new life and new beginnings.  As this season ends, we celebrate something.  We get to celebrate in hope again!  Covid didn't bring that.  It didn't bring much hope at all when it was ushered in.  What we got was a dangerous agenda that brought death and destruction.  No wonder its grip is so tight.  No wonder so many have said, "Jesus, come quickly!" when they think about how changed life is now compared to what it was just a few short years ago.