8 Quarantine Days Later

Actually, I've lost track of when the so-called community quarantine started. Then some days or perhaps a week ago President Duterte declared an "enhanced" quarantine which I heard some newsmen dubbed as total lockdown.

Quarantine or lockdown, the thing is people movement is being restricted to contain the spread of the COVID 19 virus. And the restriction gets more stringent, which favors us all, even daily wage earners--though I see quite well their dilemma.

Anyway, so here we are confined to our home, trying to while time away, which will last for a month, at least, says government, but I see it lasting for at least 3 months. Even six.

A few days ago my wife and I tried to literally hike to the nearest bank because we had to send paychecks to our school teachers. We already had released salaries previously at the start of the lockdown, but we figured they'd need more. So we ventured out.

We started at about 9 am.

Absolutely no public vehicle in sight. We walked about 3 kilometers to the bank. But the bank was closed. The ATM wouldn't work 😒. Some luck. So we just looked for a Palawan MoneyGram nearby to do a different transaction.

Man was it hot!

The queue was long at Palawan and we waited for more than an hour. I was clad in this wierd attire--blue bonnet, black mask and hooded brown shirt--so everyone was apprehensive about me, probably waiting for a stick up or robbery or something. But it worked wonders for social distancing.

Finally we were done at Palawan and trekked the 3-kilometer way back home under a hot, noonday, summer sun. I felt like I was going to pass out because it was so hot with the Navy Seal costume (that was how Nonoy, my classmate, described it) I was wearing 😂 and my tummy was so conscious that it was way past lunchtime.

Strange that on the way back, we felt that the 3-kilometer hike was a piece of cake compared to when we had set out earlier. All of a sudden we were just some 3 corners away from home.  Estimating we had enough energy for doing groceries, we stopped by a minimart and at Nori Mart for some items.

So, finally we were home sweet home. It was almost 2 pm. We washed our hands and footwear, splashed lavish alcohol and took a bath after resting. By the way, I have permanently installed a spray bottle of antiseptic and water at our garage for disinfecting footwears used outdoors.

But we don't go out unless necessary. Majority of the time we just stay home.

On the eighth day, we have come a bit accustomed to the quarantine lifestyle, always minding about washing and disinfecting and restricting ourselves to home confinement.

I have an abundance of quality time talking with the Lord in rich quiescence, discussing His Word with HIM. Plenty of time to bond with the family, workout physically, train in martial arts, spar with my boys, blog, and read lots of books.

Total lockdown seems like life enjoying it's long-held Sabbaths, like how the land now relishes in it's much needed Sabbath rest. They say the earth is healing with the huge halt of human movements and activities worldwide. If so, then God is sending us a powerful message.

Life was designed by God to have Sabbath rests. NOT at all the observance of the Old Testament Sabbath for the Jews but a rest in God in Christ which is the true Sabbath. A rest from all your own efforts, relying on God instead. A total, helpless dependence.

Lots of people say together we can beat COVID 19. That's a farce and even a proud statement which is uncalled for at a time when we cannot do anything against this unseen and yet unknown enemy, and we're actually at the mercy of God.

Those who insist that we can thwart this strange and deadly virus through our methods and efforts have not learned God's Sabbath. While we do everything necessary, we should acknowledge that it's only God's mercy that can save us. That's the Sabbath rest.

Yup, there have been great technological advances made by man's efforts, but a good majority of them ended up to our disadvantage, if not ruin. Just look at environment degradation, pollution and war, to name some.

Now, earth is enjoying it's rest. Most of us are realizing how helpless we really are and seeking God's grace and mercy is what really works.