However, the one thing I have craved has been eluding me for so many weeks and months now. And, I am not alone. On a personal basis, over the past 6-8 months, my desire for normalcy has not been pandemic or political related (well, at least totally), but for health and strength and the ability to do what I have done in my normal life.

  As many adults say, “well, Arthur has come to visit me” meaning arthritis has set in for a season. I’ve had two “Arthur cousins” set in for a visit during these past months … Cousin Osteo and Cousin Rheumatoid. I could no longer play musical instruments, especially the piano, do much walking, fatigue and pain were my life. I just wanted to be my normal feisty self again, but my doctors were trying to find the best regimen for me.

  Finally, over the past couple weeks, we found one. At least for now. I can wake up without  “claw-hands” that will not open until lunch time and feet that can support me without my worrying of falling. For my age, I am back to normal.

  Now, aside from my problems, we as a nation have not been in a normal place for a long time. I am not using this forum for discussion, but pandemics, politics, civil and racial unrest have captured our television screens and minds. We are tired of it and want things to be over and let us return to our perceived normal lives. We do not like changes that affect our lives so drastically.

  The only hope we have is to remember a simple and easy scripture to memorize.

  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.” (Hebrews 13:8). 

  He never changes. He is consistently watching over us even when we do not feel it. He is always surrounding us with His care and concern. As our lives are so disrupted and we feel fear of the unknown tomorrow for ourselves and our family and friends, He is there. For everyone. Whether you choose to believe in Him or not, He is still there loving you.

  Below is a poem written by a 14-year old young man named Lucien Stenehjem from Bellingham, Massachusetts. He is the son of Sherry and Shane Stenehjem and the grandson of Arnold and Vivian Hicks of McDonough. I think this student has a wisdom beyond many of our years and has pegged normal. Read and think.

  What is Normal?

Normal
It is an interesting word
It dictates our everyday life,
And makes everything familiar.
Normal seems like something that is just set
And will never change,
But with just a blink of an eye
Normal is not the same.

Normal once was different
Getting up every single day
Going to school,
Eating lunch with friends,
And partaking in many different activities
It was everything we had done,
Our whole life
Everything was just normal,
Until one event transformed it all.

Now we do not call this change temporary,
Short-term,
Or something that is here just today,
And gone tomorrow.
No, the new stay at home,
Eat at home,
And do everything from your home,
Is our new normal
Just like that, everything has changed
But everything is just normal now,
Isn’t it?

  And for today my friends, this has been the gospel according to Jimmy.