A DIFFERENT KIND OF FEAR

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. Ephesians 6:4

 

“During…disasters, the prevalence of sexual violence increases,” said Camille Cooper, vice president of public policy at the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN). “There are so many things we need to consider in this (Corona-virus) crisis to ensure that we’re doing all we can to prevent sexual violence and appropriately respond when it does happen.” Stay-at-home orders across the nation prompt questions about how the health and safety of children will be affected, especially for those at home fulltime with an abuser. Unstable homes may now have become intense breeding grounds for all the issues that trigger cruelty and aggression (unemployment, financial instability, close quarters, helplessness, anger, fear…). Children who are at home during quarantine are separated from their network of supporters, such as friends, teachers, neighbors, and mentors. This separation creates a barrier to getting help to end abuse. In addition, because of the pandemic, medical and mental health resources are now engaged in a life and death battle to assist those who have contracted the COVID 19 virus, rather than being available to respond to the needs of abused children and adults.

 

The Bible is clear that hurting children physically or sexually is not okay. Jesus interacted with children (notably in Matthew 18), modeling for us the unquestioning value God places on the youngest members of our society. Many try to use the Bible to justify corporal punishment and even sexual exploitation of children. But countless Bible commentaries speak to the Lord’s condemnation of sins against children.  Christ’s teaching also offers continual hope for healing and forgiveness. Child abuse is never the child’s fault; the responsibility lies squarely with the abuser.

 

During this time of quarantine, Christians must be aware of the extra need for vigilance of children who may be home full-time with an abuser. If we suspect that a child is not safe at home, we can begin by calling the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) and speaking to a trained advocate.

 

Lord, we know that hurt people hurt people. But helping people can help people too. Fill us with Your boldness and compassion to help abused children during this pandemic shutdown. Amen

 

APRIL IS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH. To find out how you can help, or if you need help yourself or for someone you know, go to https://www.rainn.org/SAAPM .

THE FACE OF CHRIST

They will receive blessing from the Lord….Such is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face, God of Jacob. Psalm 24:5-6

 

I went to the store in search of toilet paper, a hot commodity in these days of “sheltering in place” during the Coronavirus. Not a package on the shelf. “Come at about 7:30 in the morning, right when they unload the trucks,” the shelf stocker said. “It’s the only way you’ll get any, and you can only have one package at a time.” The young man spoke again. “The governor is speaking in a few minutes. He’s going to close down more businesses and extend the lock down.” I couldn’t help but notice the worry on his face. “Could you be laid off?” I asked as gently as possible. “I don’t think so,” he said, brightening. “I hope not ‘cause I don’t do well alone in my apartment.” Those words sat for a moment, then I ventured another question: “Do you have a companion animal?” “I don’t but my parents do…but I’m not supposed to go to their house because they are older.” The last word sounded like a disease. I pressed on. “Do you have people you can call besides your parents?” “Oh, yes!” he exclaimed. “I have a number to call through NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). They always have people we can talk to, especially when our meds don’t work.” I smiled. “Then you be sure to call the number when you need it,” I said. “And stay healthy!” We waved goodbye.

 

We are all just feeling out way through this crisis, grieving for the normal lives we had just a few weeks ago, wondering how long this will go on. The Greek word for “church” is ecclesia, which literally means, “going out.” The church can’t “go out” and show our faces right now, if we are to keep ourselves and others safe. But we can be the “face” of Christ with a phone call, an email, a text, an interactive social media communication, a card or a letter. Let’s get creative! We can all be better for each other in ways we never knew we could be.

 

Healing Lord, grant us a fervent passion to let those we encounter know that we care, however we are able to stay in touch with them now. Amen

 

Both candid and humorous, insightful and ponderous, Meg Blaine Corrigan’s memoir, Then I Am Strong: Moving From My Mother’s Daughter to God’s Child, takes the reader through her chaotic childhood with an alcoholic mother and enabling father to a violent assault that nearly ended her life. She populates her tale with vivid descriptions of her parents, other influential adults, the attacker, and her disastrous first marriage. But this story has a happy ending, when Meg finds solace in a God she didn’t think she’d ever believe in, when He gently helps her heal from her past lives and move into the best times of her life. Meg has also written a novel, Perils of a Polynesian Percussionist, about said first marriage, as well as a Christian devotional, Saints With Slingshots: Daily Devotions for the Slightly Tarnished But Perpetually Forgiven Christian, comprised of blogs from this site. Stay tuned for sequels to her last two books! All of her works may be purchased through her website, www.MegCorrigan.com or from www.amazon.com .

ROLLING THE STONE AWAY

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. Luke 24:1-3

 

Isolated. Marginalized. Disenfranchised. Vulnerable. Suffering. Dying. These are the people Christ came to heal and to lift up. These too are the ones suffering the most during the Corona-Virus pandemic. These people may now be us. In just a few short weeks, many of us in the industrialized world have gone from a life of comfort to finding ourselves isolated…marginalized…disenfranchised…vulnerable…suffering…and even dying. I’m not unaccustomed to sleepless nights, but now I don’t even know how to pray. “Can You please be with the whole world tonight, Lord?” I offer. It sounds so infantile. He’s “with the whole world” every night. I mentally run through my ever burgeoning prayer list: our family members on the front lines—health care providers, grocery and convenience store clerks—to people who refuse to believe this is happening and choose not to take measures to make themselves and others safe. I pray that conspiracy theories and political ambitions will find no fertile ground these days; let the truth of what’s happening prevail. I ask God to help all the helpers because we have all, suddenly, become somebody’ helper.

 

We are all the people Christ came to heal and lift up. This year, the stone covering Christ’s tomb is rolled away to reveal a new light, a new awareness, that tragedy can strike any of us, just when we least expect it. But Christ’s light is also revealing a new awakening for everyone: we are human because of other humans. Without each other, we are just a shell. If we don’t care for each other, we all lose.

 

The light of Christ’s open tomb is also revealing astounding changes: air quality has improved in many places without the crush of vehicles, and some warring factions have declared temporary ceasefires. These events give hope. And just as Christ lay in the tomb for a period before smashing the bonds of hell, so we must be hopeful and patient until this nightmare ends.

 

Jesus, You said “no” to death and “yes” to hope and light and love. Share with us Your gracious strength. Amen

 

Meg Blaine Corrigan finds ideas for her devotional blogs in everyday places and events, from comic strips to magazines and books, comments on the fly from people she meets, ancient memories of her childhood, and nigglings from God. To date, she has written nearly 700 different devotions, filling one book of daily readings, Saints With Slingshots: Daily Devotions for the Slightly Tarnished But Perpetually Forgiven Christian, published in 2015. Meg is working on a second book (Saints TWO) which she had hoped would be completed by now. She posts once a week, which means in seven years, she will have enough entries to fill a second book. Sometimes life gets in the way of writing, so Meg is pacing herself, enjoying spending time with her husband, their four daughters and spouses, ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, as well as their rescue dog, Bassett/Beagle mix Ginger. Meg is involved in volunteer work at her church, Christ Lutheran in Lake Elmo, Minnesota, and also with sexual violence/sex trafficking prevention and education. She speaks to groups whenever she if offered the opportunity. She is a voracious reader of other people’s writing, which gives her lots of ideas for more devotional blogs. Read more about her at www.MegCorrigan.com or contact her at MegCorrigan@comcast.net .

MORAL FATIGUE

He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. Luke 22:41-43

 

Holy Week is the most significant week in the Christian church. It’s skyrocketing highs and abysmal lows. Palm Sunday yesterday: Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, when only He knew the way the week would end. Many of Christ’s followers thought He had come to end the Roman oppression of the Jews; little did they know their ”King” would be arrested and put to death. No one suspected He would break those bonds and rise from the tomb to walk among them again—if only for a short time.

 

What does “Holy Week” mean to us during this pandemic? Rolling Stone Magazine published an article last week about our abrupt and surprising awareness of what “public health” means: we are suddenly, painfully aware of our potential part in spreading this deadly virus. “Whether it’s trying to decide if you should visit a sick family member, order delivery, take public transit, or take a trip to the grocery store,” the article states, “we now have to think through the potential implications of many of our totally normal, everyday actions and decisions in a way we never had to before, because of how they could affect others.” It’s “Moral Fatigue,” and it’s exhausting.

 

Surely Jesus’ “moral fatigue” was on full display in the Garden of Gethsemane. He literally came to earth to carry out a specific mission for God, yet here He asks to be let go of the responsibility of saving all mankind. How, then, can we be so selfish, to think that sitting at home on our couch and being bored is any imposition at all? Even losing our livelyhoods and our children’s school and day care and the privilege of going to a restaurant or a movie for a short period of time seems inconsequential to slowing this great, invisible enemy called COVID-19. And I’m reminded that, even though Christ begged the Father to “take this cup” from Him, He soon relented and said, “Yes, Father, Your will and not Mine.”

 

Healing Lord, You sent an angel to strengthen Your Son in His darkest hour. Send the angels to us in our calamity now. Amen

 

Meg Blaine Corrigan tells stories of wisdom, strength, fear, joy and risk-taking. Daughter of a raging alcoholic mother, and survivor of sexual assault at gunpoint, Corrigan has shaken a dismal past and flung herself into the arms of Christ, Who sustains her in her daily walk of grace. She shares with her listeners her incredible story of surviving and thriving through many trials during her seven decades walking this fragile earth. She has been described as a Renaissance Woman, integrating her formal training in psychology and counseling, an enlightening experience as a percussionist for a Polynesian show troupe, and most recently as an inspirational author and blogger, to the delight of all who read her work and hear her speak. Her exposure to many life experiences has enriched her passion for spreading Christ’s word and helping other trauma survivors. She has a master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling and thirty-plus years of experience in the field of counseling and social work.  She lives in Lake Elmo, Minnesota, with the love of her life, Patrick, and their formerly disenfranchised rescue dog Ginger. www.MegCorrigan.com    MegCorrigan@comcast.net