COVID Joys by Lisa Burkhardt Worley

COVID is no joke. Scientists have already discovered that the Delta Variant that attacked my husband and me is much stronger and highly contagious. It also takes longer to get over. I have friends who popped back from the original COVID strain in four days. This is probably seven days since the onset of my symptoms and I am now at about 70%. Just when I think I’ve kicked it, I experience a setback. I am not a patient person, so the waiting to feel normal has been difficult.

In addition to extreme congestion and headaches, there is also brain fog and that makes it difficult to write, but today I will attempt to share thoughts. I don’t want to focus anymore on the negative of COVID, but the joys, because there have been many. Here are three simple things I’ve learned through this experience:

1. People Care– We all go through stretches where we wonder if people really love us, but what I experienced this past week is an overflow of love from so many. I am thankful for all of the friends who have prayed for us. I’ve received many phone calls from friends and daily texts from Pastor Greg and his wife, Donna, at our church. We have not lacked for food. A meal has been dropped off at our doorstep every day since this started. Thanks to Lori, Barb and Kevin, Linh, Jan and Barney and Sharon. Rosemary made sure our sweet Mini-Goldendoodle, Jewel, had food. Thanks also to Suellen, Tracey, Marina and Sharon for the beautiful flowers. I always try to display fresh flowers in my house, and because of COVID, was not able to purchase them. They took care of it and the arrangement makes me happy!
2. God Cares– We had to postpone our POP Talk television show tapings this week, but one of the programs scheduled was with a woman named Dr. Alex Watkins who has treated thousands of COVID patients successfully with her protocol. When I told her I had COVID, she asked, “Do you want to go through my protocol?” This is not accidental timing. This is God’s timing. I could not get into my own doctor, so the LORD provided Dr. Watkins to provide a regimen that has helped me turn the corner. Here is her website: https://www.livewellmedsolutions.com/contents/meet-the-team. This morning, as I was thinking about this divine appointment, I realized God provided a healing solution even before I contracted this disease. I know there have been many lives lost because of COVID, but I can only assume that there is more for me to do.
3. I Care- I can get so busy in ministry that I lose track of people I really care about. Being forced to rest has provided some additional time to reconnect with friends via phone or text. I’ve loved hearing their voices. But I also realize I am not alone in this battle, and have had a chance to pray with other friends who have COVID as well. Having it myself has given me an understanding of what they are dealing with. This experience has given me additional compassion. I have been lifting up some in dire shape, one husband of a friend is fighting for his life in intensive care, and every time COVID wakes me up in the middle of the night, I intercede for all of those who I know are sick. It’s the night watch. Today, I will send a Door Dash meal to a friend who was just diagnosed yesterday.

Lastly, I have learned over the years that God does His greatest work in us through suffering. Romans 5:3–5 says, “More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” We must cling to Him in good times and bad, and continue to know that He is in control no matter how uncertain circumstances are around us. One day, we will be called home, but in the meantime, we must use our time on this Earth wisely.

#

I want to take this opportunity to invite you to our annual Level-Up Women’s Conference that will take place on Saturday, October 9^th from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at Northview Baptist Church in Lewisville. Speakers are KCBI”s Rebecca Carrell, Gateway Church’s Elizabeth Settle, Human Trafficking Survivor, Sandy Storm, newcomer, Alexis Arellano, and our entire Pearls of Promise Team. God has been downloading so much material for you during my recent battle, you will not want to miss what He has to say to you. Tickets are only $49 and include lunch. They available on Eventbrite at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/level-up-dallas-2021-tickets-141072470557?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Join us for this incredible time of spiritual refreshing!