Tennessee Tough Volunteers

 bob-maclafferty  1 Response »
Mar 282020
 

Tennessee Tough volunteersMarie Williams, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner, wrote and op-ed piece yesterday about Tennessee’s response to the COVID-19 crisis. She quoted legendary Lady Volunteers coach Pat Summit in stating that we are “We are Tennessee tough, Tennessee strong, and Tennessee true.”

As we see the case numbers climb, it is easy to succumb to fear and selfishness. While part of me has wished for more mandated restrictions across the Volunteer State, I am proud of what many Tennesseans have chosen to do, simply because it is the right thing to do to protect our state and the loved ones around us.

At 0430 this morning, I had the privilege of driving my daughter, an RN at Chattanooga’s Memorial Hospital, to work. Today, she is not working her floor, but joining several colleagues in screening team members and visitors alike [for COVID-19 symptoms] to ensure that the hospital, and the community it serves, stays safe. The wonder women of 7 North are truly Tennessee Tough volunteers as they step into harm’s way to keep us safe.

I had the privilege of affirming them for a couple of minutes this morning as they stood outside the hospital. They voluntarily risk exposure for twelve long hours, submitting to abuse by angry visitors and sometimes even from stressed team members. They exhibit grace and strength and humor as they willingly stand in the gap to keep our sick patients and health care professionals and us safe.

You might be thinking, “But that’s their job!” Yes it is. But rather than calling in “sick” or refusing to serve in this way, they choose to take this often thankless job to help keep us safe. Once, long ago, a man voluntarily stepped into harm’s way to save me and to save you. Not because we deserved it, but because of love for us:

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. -Romans 5:8 NIV.

Just as Jesus did, our 7 North wonder women volunteer to protect and care for us, even if we are never thankful or deserving. I challenge you to join me in two things this morning. First, thank someone around you who is working to help you or your community. It could be a nurse, a clinical laboratory scientist, a grocery checkout person, or a restaurant drive-through window team member. Second, join the volunteers in your community who are not waiting to be required, but are choosing to social distance, volunteering to restrict buying scarce supplies, and willingly not buying the masks and gloves so that are so vital to health care workers.

I believe that the COVID-19 case numbers in Chattanooga are lower than in other metro areas, not because of ordered restrictions, but because of volunteers who choose to do their part to keep their communities and loved ones safe. Tennessee is living up to its nickname as the Volunteer State! Will you join them and me today! Please Share!

Click for CDC’s simple wisdom about how to protect yourself and those around you

Scavenge Buying: Say No To It!

 bob-maclafferty  No Responses »
Mar 212020
 

Scavenge buyingHave you been grocery shopping in the last couple of days? You can feel the frantic energy in the air as people are scavenge buying things they would normally never buy.

One of our favorite stores, Aldi, imposed a four can restriction on any single canned vegetable product. I grabbed up 4 cans of kidney beans to ensure I got my “fair share”. As we put our groceries away, my sweetheart said, “Oh! You got me some canned garbanzo beans!” She loves ’em and I think we shouldn’t eat anything that sounds like gravel when they hit the plate! My bad. In my haste to get my four can maximum, I grabbed up a can of garbanzos by mistake.

The temptation to grab and grab is real. The scavenging frenzy is more contagious than COVID-19! A hundred people were waiting outside our local Walmart when it opened yesterday. As I walked around the store, the scavenge frenzy reminded me of how the store feels the day before Thanksgiving as people rush around to get the last cans of pumpkin pie filling and other traditional favorites.

One thoughtful checkout professional, when blasted by a woman for her favorite products being out of stock, said “What a great time to try something new!” The shopper looked at her with complete disbelief and a total lack of comprehension. I heard another shopper frantically calling a family member because she had gotten only two RiceARoni’s, the last two in the store.

It is a human tendency to push to get our “fair share”. But little in life is fair. Is it fair that my schedule flexibility makes it easier to get to the store for my own scavenge buying? Is it fair that the out-of-work service person from the local diner can’t afford to buy much at all? Is it fair for someone who didn’t get their allotted maximum to “borrow” from an elderly shopper’s cart when they aren’t looking?

I will admit that I have spent too much energy on more than one occasion over my lifetime, overly concerned about what’s fair… or at least what I “think” is fair for me. Jesus shared the following story:

“When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ -Luke 14:8-10. NIV.

I challenge you [and me] to say “NO!” to scavenge buying, say “NO!” to pushing and shoving, say “NO!” to getting the last [state your favorite food here]. Instead, say “YES!” to leaving something on the shelves for others, say “YES!” to letting an elderly shopper get in line ahead of you, say “YES!” to helping a stressed mom get the bag of flour I am reaching for. Let’s not wait for stores to restrict us. Let’s restrict ourselves! Then, instead of hearing “I’m sorry sir, you can only have four canned garbanzos” we can hear “You know you can take another can. We have plenty!”

God bless us as we keep our hands and hearts clean. Stay healthy!

Click for CDC’s simple wisdom about how to protect yourself and those around you

The Spirit of Fear

 bob-maclafferty  No Responses »
Mar 142020
 

Handwashing. Anti Corona virus strategyWhat a week! Fear of becoming infected with the coronavirus (COVID-19) is the primary topic in the news and social media. We are creating a spirit of fear! A close second is the new recreational pastime of bashing leaders for doing something different than what today’s fickle hindsight might indicate.

Instead of coronavirus fear, let’s fear the risk of ignoring a young, struggling family with little food and no child care now that schools have closed.
Instead of hoarding 96 rolls of toilet paper, let’s fear for the elderly neighbor on their last roll.
Instead of clogging social media with leader bashing, let’s fear ignoring the parent of a sick child next door who is running low on prescription meds.
Instead of joining the online noise that increases hysteria, let’s fear the selfishness that makes us take the last canned goods from grocery shelves.
Instead of driving bloated SUV’s filled with grocery store plunder, let’s fear for those relying on public transportation for jobs and healthcare who could use a lift.
Instead of letting a crisis define America as selfish, critical, fearful, and negative, let’s meet this crisis with unselfishness, forgiveness, courage, and hope.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV.

I say no to hoarding, no to suspicion, no to fear and paranoia.
I say yes to sharing, yes to hand washing, yes to courage and hope, yes to caring for the sick around us, yes to helping those in need in our neighborhoods.

I challenge you to share this and any other positive message!

Click for CDC’s simple wisdom about how to protect yourself and those around you