There is good news – No children under 10 have succumbed to coronavirus, COVID 19, and those in the age bracket of 10 – 50, the death rate is less than a .04%. The rate increases to 1.3% for those in their 50’s, to 3.8% for those in their 60’s, and increases more, as you would expect it to, across the upper age brackets. Unlike previous pandemics, this one is leaving the children and younger generations relatively unscathed.
History teaches us to be smart about pandemics, when a new strain of influenza virus shows up on the scene. Effective communication to know what is being faced is key, with the reality check that there are typically more questions than answers early on and that the world keeps turning. It is a lot like being a dad – family history can provide valuable lessons; communication is key even when there are more questions than answers; and, life goes on under the sovereignty of God.
He was transfigured in front of them, and His face shone like the sun; His clothes became as white as the light. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. … Suddenly a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased. Listen to Him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown and were terrified. – Matthew 17:2-3 & 5-6. The transfiguration - the past, present and Eternal together. What an event for Peter, James and John to witness! They saw Moses who had died about 1300 years earlier, and Elijah, who was last seen in a chariot to the heavens roughly 500 years earlier. The Lord was also there in glorified form and His Father spoke audibly. Moses and Elijah represented the past, Old Testament times. Jesus and the disciples represented the present, New Testament times. And the Father God, Yahweh spoke as the Eternal. A takeaway for today is to learn from and respect the past, live in the present and maintain a perspective grounded in the Eternal.
The deadliest flu pandemic in history was the 1918 flu, H1N1 virus. Twenty-five percent of the United States population was infected and 675,000 lives were lost to the disease. Nearly half were young adults, ages 20 – 40. Worldwide, it is estimated that 50 million people succumbed to the virus. Some 2.5% of folks infected, died. The Asian flu, H2N2 virus, of 1957 claimed 116,000 lives in the United States. The Hong Kong flu, H3N2 virus, of 1968 claimed 34,000 lives in the United States. The Russian flu, H1N1 swine flu virus, faced a more resilient population that had built up resistance from the 1950’s. Loss of life was minimal. Lessons were learned and there was life after the pandemics.
Prayer guide: Lord, thank You for Your word and the life eternal You opened the door to. I confess my life has been about the temporal – watching news excessively, monitoring market trends and searching out business opportunities. I allowed those dimensions of life to leave You at church Sunday. Forgive me. I have been part of a fathering pandemic! Help me to live my life and lead my family with a healthy perspective, an eternal perspective grounded in a strong personal relationship with You. Grant me wisdom to learn from the past, to lead my family well in the present and trust in You for the future. That is the dad You call me to be, and that is the dad the next generation needs to see. Amen.
A faithful father provides a healthy perspective through confusing times.
There is good news – No children under 10 have succumbed to coronavirus, COVID 19, and those in the age bracket of 10 – 50, the death rate is less than a .04%. The rate increases to 1.3% for those in their 50’s, to 3.8% for those in their 60’s, and increases more, as you would expect it to, across the upper age brackets. Unlike previous pandemics, this one is leaving the children and younger generations relatively unscathed.
