Lockdown Experiences

Many things have transpired during this month's lockdown and I have learned a couple of new things. Since we have been under lockdown and life has never been as usual. Therefore, I have to learn to do things I never used to do and cope with unprecedented circumstances. Despite the sudden change and turn of event, the grace of the Lord enabled me to learn lessons of life.

Tendering an Apology 

One day a brother ordered chicken from an online store offered at a cheaper rate. It was ordered to deliver to my address as the delivery did not cover his residential address. I was told over the phone about the urgency of this order and that there should be five packets altogether. I replied OK to all the detail told to me. When the food items were delivered I was informed again that there should be five packets out of which one of them would be a chicken pack to be kept in a freezer. I replied OK to all the points spoken to me. But I did not properly check the number of packets nor the items delivered assuming that everything would be as per order. 

A day later when a brother came to collect the items, to my surprise, I realized that the chicken pack was missing. I scratched my head to figure out how this could have been missed. Later on, after a proper recollection of memory, it was concluded that one time was not delivered. I felt so bad and pathetic about myself in not handling things properly. That too, a food time for a brother that was needed urgently. Later, I called him to apologize for my looseness and inaccuracy and offered to pay for my negligence. He accepted my apology and simply requested me to forget about it. I took things for granted that the delivery boy would have delivered as ordered. I learned a lesson on my need to be accurate and exact.

Haircut 

For over two months I had not cut my hair as it was not advisable to go to a saloon when COVID-19 is widely spreading. There was a news that some eight people got infected with Coronavirus due to a hair cut at a saloon. Therefore, I decided to buy a hair trimmer and scissor to cut the hair of my family by ourselves. It's not wise and safe to get a hair cut outside. After a good research, I purchased a trimmer and scissor online. For the first time ever in my life, I experimented with my son and cut his hair. Of course, the trimmer has a plastic comb to set the length with which to cut. And for my hair, I asked my wife to cut with the same formula I used for my son. Therefore, I learned one new lesson in life; we can cut our own hair. I really do not need to depend on barber or must visit a saloon. Necessity is the mother of invention indeed. In this case, necessity taught me to learn new things I never thought I can ever learn.

Gadgets Repairs

Amidst the lockdown, few electronic gadgets malfunctioned and I was trying hard to figure out how to repair them. One day I decided to repair four of my gadgets- Cooler, Induction Cooker, Electric Cooker, and RO Water filter at one go by taking them to a nearby shopping complex. That day was Friday when we usually held the church's online gospel meeting. Deep within me, I was warned not to go out due to my urgency or necessity, as the more important thing, gospel meeting, is awaiting. And that I should rather spend time to pray for the new ones. But the desire to do my works first overcame me. I went ahead to do the repair works, hoping that I could finish all the works and come back to be ready for the gospel meeting. But to my dismay, nothing could be done and I had to bring everything back. Meanwhile, I wasted at least an hour which otherwise could have been used for prayer and preparation for the gospel meeting. I regret my hasty action by my strong will power and repented for it. The Lord is gracious, I still could be back on time for the gospel meeting and could still carry out my responsibility.

Later, the Lord gave me an idea of how I could repair all these without me going anywhere else. A brother helped me to repair my Induction Cooker. I could contact the Cooler company that sent a mechanic to repair it. And for the RO water filter, another mechanic promised to do the work. I did not need to go anywhere. The works could all be done at my own home. This transpired when I calmly considered the way to properly handle things. Another life lesson.  

Discarding Old Gadgets 

We have a fridge of about 17 years old and a laptop of 10 years old. When the fridge broke down when summer just began, and there was a need for a laptop as my children's school is teaching online classes for the three of them, there is an urgent need for these two gadgets. I had been contemplating repairing both the fridge and laptop. I did try a mechanic for the fridge and I myself spent a couple of hours to restore the old laptop, but both to no avail. I had been trying to restore the old in lieu of buying new ones with a view of not wasting anything as much possible. And at the same time saving as much money as I could as the family's need is growing. But ultimately I had to give up. Deep within me, the Lord told me that I could as well purchase new ones as these are necessary items and not luxurious ones. He also promised me that He will provide me the sufficient funds to purchase what is needed for the family. This is yet another life lesson. Should there be a genuine need, I must trust the Lord. He knows better, and He will provide the needs.

These are the few precious life lessons learned during this lockdown. Praise the Lord!