Suddeness
As I remember it, it was my eighth-grade year at Centralia Junior High School. Some of you guys might remember the hopes of making the starting football team on offense or defense. Every guy wanted to catch the eye of the coaches. I was no different. The practices were hot and hard. I wondered if I could finish each practice with drills and lots of running, but the driving hope to make the starting team was what kept me going. I was five feet nothing tall and weighed a whopping 115 pounds. Can you see the skinny kid in pads and a jersey? That was me. After a couple weeks of practice, the important day came when our head coach selected the boys who were going to play at each position. This was important because we all had dreams of playing for our school. The head coach lined us up on that hot sunny day. We stood nervous but hopeful to hear our name announced. The coach started by saying, “How many of you want to be quarterbacks?” I was eager, and I raised my hand. He looked at those who raised their hands and he quickly stated, “Cady, you are not a quarterback.” I was still hopeful, but I was told I am not a quarterback. Next, he asked, “How many of you want to be running backs?” I again raised my hand. This must be what the coach was planning for me, I thought. He looked over the boys who were gazing at him with hands raised. Then these words came directed to me, “Cady, you are not a running back.” I am seeing my football future going down quickly. The only chance I had to touch the ball in a game was to be a receiver. There was still a little hope I could be a receiver. The coach got up, and as he did before, he asked a question, “Who wants to be a receiver?” This was it for me, and I raised my hand and held my breath. I wanted him to include me, but I stood waiting for his announcement. He then said, “Cady, you are not a receiver.” It happened with a suddenness, and my hopes were now gone. I had the choice of giving up, throwing in the towel and walking away. I decided to finish the football season. I was the back-up to the back-up of the back-up tackle at a mighty 115 pounds. I never touched the ball during a game all season. The coach did not think I was a quarterback, running back or receiver, but I knew I was not a lineman. It reminded me of how suddenly things can change. My hopes were gone, and I realized I did not have much to offer my team in the eyes of my coach.
We have all experienced the suddenness of change. It was in late January 2020 that our world was suddenly changed by a horrible virus. It was simply called COVID-19. I was in Indonesia at the end of February 2020 and had just gotten home before almost everything started to close including most ports of entry around the world. It seems like nearly every family I know has a story of a loved one facing life and death over COVID-19 and its various strains. We all face the suddenness of this virus.
I recently had a friend pass away suddenly. The shock was how quickly she was gone. If we have learned anything these last two years, it is how quickly our lives can change. Stadiums were suddenly empty, concerts canceled, formerly busy streets became only a trickle of traffic. We have been forced to work and live online. Even our churches went online and outdoors. Who could foresee the stresses on relationships within families and friends?
It was the suddenness that COVID-19 came at us. No one was safe or out of reach of this killer. It can change a family in a hurry. It was unpredictable and aggressive. This virus had no regard for anyone in its way. It was on a mission to infect and destroy. I want to pause in my thoughts to thank the health care workers who served the infected with compassion and bravery over these tough days. This came on them suddenly as well. I especially want to recognize the doctors and nurses at the Hohidiai base. Esther Scarborough should have been awarded a medal for her prompt response. She heard about this global pandemic and immediately responded by buying all the PPE in the region. She drained almost all the funds on account, and they needed more. Her response was sudden as well. She went into action which I believe saved many lives. Our nurses and doctors now had supplies to keep themselves protected as they served those who came to the Hohidiai hospital and clinic with symptoms. It was a massive effort because they had to wash and disinfect their protective garments each night and scrub all surfaces to keep the virus from finding a new victim. Day after day and month after month, they served with bravery and compassion. I want to honor the medical staff of Hohidiai for their service. There were times when they were overloaded, but they continued to serve the sick. They saw too many who passed away but also had many victories of people recovering. These are my heroes.
We have the best partners who have stood with us during these uncertain times for nearly two years. It means a lot. You held up the arms of these workers. Yes, we all face the uncertainty and suddenness of our last two years, but by God’s grace, we will stand together. We pray we are past the worst of this pandemic. The doors have been closed to take teams to Indonesia. We have not been able to get visas to enter the country. It looks like there are some positive changes. Maybe we can look with hope to 2022.