You Can Get Through This!

“I can’t last another week!” I’ve heard that statement more than once since the beginning of the unprecedented home confinements brought on by Covid-19. But, I’m here to tell you, “You can get through this.” I know, because in the past I’ve accomplished what I thought was impossible.

One such instance occurred over twenty years ago when my sister-in-law (who I refer to as Susie in my memoir) was seriously ill fighting an aggressive form of cancer. She was living alone in my father-in-law’s home an hour’s ride outside of Los Angeles, getting treatment at Cedar Sinai Hospital. My husband and I took leaves of absences from our jobs in Virginia to take care of her. What we thought would be a few weeks turned into a few months.

I not only did many of the mundane chores, but I also took Susie to her weekly appointments at Cedar Sinai while my husband was taking care of other matters. To get to Cedar Sinai, I had to take the ‘white knuckle’ drive on one of the nation’s busiest freeways—the 405. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the 405, there’s six or more lanes of traffic going in each direction on parts of that route. In addition, when there’s not a backup, most drivers are speeding along at 80 mph or more, far above the 65 mph speed limit. Clinging to the steering wheel, I prayed silently the entire grueling trip. I thanked God every time we made it to the hospital, and again when we returned home.

Part of Susie’s home treatment plan consisted of receiving three injections of one particular medicine each morning, noon and night. In addition, she needed a fourth injection of a different medication that could only be given by her R.N. during his daily noon home visits. He informed us that someone needed to give Susie her morning and evening injections. I knew my husband wasn’t interested, and I certainly wasn’t since I hated needles with a passion. “I can’t do that,” I told the nurse. But, he assured me I could. I knew I had no choice, and asked God for help. I confess, it wasn’t easy at first. But, the more I did it, the easier it became. And when she left this earth for her heavenly home, I was on the bed beside her, reading scriptures to her about heaven.

In Philippians 4:13, it says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” So, if you think you can’t make it through another day of home confinement due to Covid-19, or can’t make it through another day of whatever you’re going through, God can give you the strength. Just ask Him. And then take it one day at a time.