Finding Peace in the Storm

Four weeks have now passed since our city went on lockdown. Although the restrictions remain, it seems that the coronavirus’s rampage across China has slowed. There haven’t been many infections reported in our area, but it is starting to have a significant impact on other parts of the world. It is truly distressing to see how outbreaks have begun in South Korea, Japan, Singapore, and Italy. We have been praying for those infected and that the healthy can stay safe. 

Since we have been locked down at home, a serious case of stir crazy has set in. I am really wanting to get back to teaching and hanging out with friends, but the way things are going, that day seems to be quite far off. We saw an official memo from the education office last week, indicating that school would start on March 9th, but no one from my school has heard that. In fact, they are now starting to further restrict our movements within the school. Today, we were told that we could not go running on the track anymore and that we would have to confine our movements to the quad. Changzhou however, has loosened up a little. Some businesses have resumed work, and the public transit systems have become a little more frequent. There are still quite a few restrictions, but it does seem to be opening up a little. Happily, there haven’t been any new cases of the virus within our city for a few days.

I’ve been asking God what he wants me to learn in the midst of this plague. I’ve found that such interruptions to the daily grind often involve God trying to communicate something to us. I’ve been praying and searching to find what that is. Sometimes, I think God wanted us to have a break. We’ve been working really hard for five years now, and the break has been rejuvenating. I’m learning a lot about the importance of rest.


This morning, Katie and I went for a walk around the quad, and it occurred to me just how blessed we are. Many people are crammed into apartment complexes, but we have a beautiful garden to walk around in. Katie fed every stray cat she could find, and I took photos of birds. 

They were really hungry.

Chinese Grosbeak or Yellow-Billed Grosbeak

It was so relaxing. The plum blossoms are in full bloom and incredibly fragrant; the scent goes right through masks.

The Quad at My School

The Quad at My School

Plum Trees

Plum Blossoms

It’s also been interesting being around our cats so much. We’ve never spent this much time at home so we are getting to know them quite well. Yesterday, our cat Nelly was dragging around a business card. She must have grabbed it while we were sorting through some old papers. She dropped it right in front of me. This is what she gave me:

It seems that she is quite displeased with her accommodations.

I’m not sure how much longer this thing will last, but we have been so blessed. God has been taking care of us and teaching us so much.

“There is virtue in work, and there is virtue in rest. 
Use both and overlook neither.”
– Alan Cohen




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