{"id":9428,"date":"2020-07-08T08:06:56","date_gmt":"2020-07-08T12:06:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/missionscatalyst.net\/?p=9428"},"modified":"2020-07-08T08:16:24","modified_gmt":"2020-07-08T12:16:24","slug":"covid-stress-thankfulness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/missionscatalyst.net\/?p=9428","title":{"rendered":"COVID Stress & Thankfulness"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Missions-Catalyst-no-tagline_large\"<\/p>\n

\"In<\/p>\n

By Shane Bennett<\/p>\n

Are you hanging in there? Barely surviving, or actually thriving? If you\u2019re like me, it may depend on the day. And these are days like we\u2019ve not seen before. I sincerely hope you\u2019re doing okay.<\/p>\n

If you live in a land that\u2019s celebrating summer, you may be scrambling to get things done before a vacation. I appreciate you taking some valuable minutes to read this month\u2019s abbreviated Practical Mobilization column.<\/p>\n

To remind us we are all in this together, here are seven things I\u2019m a little worried about right now. I know, I know: Worry inversely correlates to faith. It\u2019s like a rocking chair.* And it\u2019s bad for my tummy. I\u2019m not celebrating my worries, just being honest here, and sometimes these things stress me out. I\u2019m also going to tell you ten things I\u2019m really thankful for. (That list is longer, so you won\u2019t think I\u2019m too unspiritual!)<\/p>\n

Seven Things I Worry About<\/h2>\n

1. Local Churches<\/h3>\n

I worry that churches, and the people who attend them, will increasingly only focus on getting by. They\u2019ll feel the need to bunker up and conservatively plan for the worst. The offerings at my church have recently taken a bigger hit than can be attributed to the normal summer slump. What if people are doing their best to give but will need to stop soon in order to just pay for food and housing? Will churches have to make hard decisions to cut staff and curtail ministry?<\/p>\n

2. Support Levels<\/h3>\n

What does the income hit many are experiencing mean for workers on support? For me? Will donations begin to dry up? Have they for you?<\/p>\n

3. Missed Opportunities<\/h3>\n

I worry that I, that we, will miss some of the unique opportunities that come with these weird days. What bold and intrepid actions am I leaving undone because I\u2019m simply trying to figure out how to make the home situation work and wondering what else might go wrong?<\/p>\n

4. Mobilization<\/h3>\n

I fear we\u2019ll lose global outreach momentum. That workers in waiting will get delayed, then distracted, and finally disinterested. That others will return to their passport culture and never go back.<\/p>\n

5. Vulnerable Places<\/h3>\n

What\u2019s going to happen with India? Both in terms of health and then economic health in the aftermath of the COVID?<\/p>\n

6. Kids and Schools<\/h3>\n

In addition to my five adult children, I\u2019m dad to three young ones now. To be honest, I\u2019m a little worried they won\u2019t go back to school in August! I love them and am learning all kinds of patience through these months. It\u2019s just that they miss their friends and teachers. Yeah, that\u2019s what it is. They really miss school.<\/p>\n

7. Lessons Unlearned<\/h3>\n

I\u2019m a little worried that people will ask, \u201cWhat did God teach you during the lockdown?\u201d and I\u2019ll say, \u201cHmm, good question. I learned there are a lot of mean people on Facebook and the snarkiness of Shane doesn\u2019t accomplish the righteousness of God.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ten Things I\u2019m Thankful For<\/h2>\n

1. This Chance to Connect<\/h3>\n

I\u2019m thankful part of my job is to write for people like you. It\u2019s really not fair that once a month I get to wrack my brain, put down a few goofy but heartfelt words and dear saints like yourself take valuable time to read it.<\/p>\n

2. Free, Virtual Events<\/h3>\n

I\u2019m thankful for the thoughtful people who\u2019ve taken their conferences virtual and made them free! Here are two where I\u2019ll be presenting and one more I am registered to attend:<\/p>\n