During the second week of the shut-down, I had to call in a prescription and leave a message with my doctor. I waited patiently on the phone as I listened to classical music playing in the background. As the woman at the doctor’s office answered with a friendly hello, I relayed my message to the doctor, and told her thank you for working in a medical office during this time. She sighed and replied, “Thank you. It’s such a scary time right now.” I told her I completely understood her fears, and was worried too. I asked her how she was holding up with the news, and having to be in an office, working? Walls of professionalism came down as she shared her fears with me . . . that she was scared for her kids, ages four and seven, to get ill. She was nervous to attend mass, that her mom had suggested to not even go to church. I told her that I completely understood her fears and offered a word of encouragement that I would be praying for her. She thanked me and asked how I thought it would all pan out? Did I think that the pandemic would be resolved quickly? I was honest, and said I didn’t know, but that God knows how this will unfold. She thanked me, and said she would be praying for my family also.

I ended the call and thanked God for allowing me to offer some encouragement to this woman. That as we are all in this together — now is the time to be the hands and feet of Jesus and minister to the hurting, the fearful, the hopeless — that God is ever present and near to those who seek Him. May you be encouraged today to step out in faith and pray for your neighbors, your family, your grocery store clerks, your postal worker, your doctor, the stranger, the foe.

Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be feared above all gods. Psalm 96:2-4

Ana Fierro