TCATS #384 - Turning

There's a scripture in the Book of Mormon, from the book of Alma, that says: "But behold, because of the exceedingly great length of the war between the Nephites and the Lamanites many had become hardened, because of the exceedingly great length of the war; and many were softened because of their afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depth of humility."

This covid "war" has taken its toll on everyone. There have been so many ways it's affected our behavior, thoughts, perspective, patience, and interactions. And now, at least for those in the United States, as masks are coming off and people rediscover the joy of not social distancing, we find ourselves either hardened or softened from what's transpired these past 14 months. Perhaps it's a combination, right? Perhaps we've become more hardened towards our politicians, for example, but more softened in our relationships. Or maybe we're more hardened towards various establishments or policy makers while at the same time more softened in our religious beliefs. Each person's hard/soft ratio is unique to themselves and each represents feelings and emotions and understandings that we can easily or not so easily relate to.

I'm afraid this week I found myself in the "hardened" camp. 

Despite the CDC's declaration that "fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing," our local Church congregations continue to adhere to the statement that masks are highly recommended. And when the Choir newsletter came out on Friday, I (and several other Choir members I knew) was very much expecting something to be said about the plan to get back to singing. I would have even taken a short sentence that said something like "Given the CDC's recent adjustment to covid-related mandates, we are working with Church leaders to determine the best time to resume normal Choir operations."

But there was nothing. 

Absolutely nothing.

I was so mad.

I can tell you a little bit about what the hardening process does to a person. I've become more bitter, more resentful, less thankful, more judgmental, less friendly, and more narrowly focused. And while I've certainly not enjoyed any part of this process, I find myself wondering just how it's going to last and how I'm going to reverse it. The only thing I do know about the softening process is that I can't do it alone and that God's grace will be the key. 

So I'm off to search for the key--which actually isn't lost. It's just hard to grasp right now. Hard to hold on to. Hard to turn. Part of me resists that turning, but the words to a Choir song lovingly haunts me: 

Turn, turn will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come 'round right.

 

Until next time, may God be with you.