Recovered COVID-19 patient reflects on experience, future
By Tommy Shapard
Minister of Music and Worship, Jacksonville, Fla.
For some, like me, COVID-19 is personal. It almost killed me.
On the night of March 25, I was hospitalized. The admitting doctor informed me that I had the worst COVID lungs she had seen to date. My situation was grave.
Unsuccessful calls by the doctor to my wife at 4:30 a.m. eventually led me to record brief videos for family and friends, sending them personal words of love and gratitude.
I accepted the realization that my life was now in the hands of brilliant doctors and nurses as well as in the arms of God who was already present, welcoming me, holding me and staying with me to see me through to the other side.
I received incredible medical care that day, which prevented the use of the ventilator. In less than 24 hours, I was stabilized and moved to recovery. My admitting doctor later informed me, “You are an absolute miracle case.”
As a follower of Jesus, the Great Shepherd who healed the sick and protected the poor, I have the responsibility to frame this global health crisis in a manner that better reflects a pastoral concern for everyone who is hurting and struggling. I believe people of faith have an obligation to offer comfort and hope in the midst of mounting grief, fear and need.
In Luke, while eating a meal with the local outcasts, Jesus pushes back in response to the self-righteous Pharisees and scribes who questioned His association with a group of despised individuals.
To illustrate a radical kind of attention to the marginalized few, He tells two parables about a singular lost sheep and one lost coin, underscoring the merciful reach of God.
Jesus speaks about a kind of agape love in the parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:3–6) that shows compassion on the part of the shepherd who understands his responsibility to protect the vulnerable one. The shepherd takes a calculated risk, leaving behind the larger herd of 99. In the parable of the lost coin (Luke 15:8–10), the woman does everything possible to restore her purse of coins, working diligently and doing whatever it takes to find one coin.
In both parables, Jesus aims to refocus the Pharisees and the scribes on the importance of the amount of attention given to the disoriented and the missing, the few and the least valuable.
The shepherd and the woman did not display a spirit of dismissal, judgment or scorn. Instead, Jesus emphasizes their intense devotion to what others might downplay or dismiss — a focused response grounded in love and mercy requiring the larger group to wait and remain vulnerable.
Jesus concludes that when this kind of difficult, surgical work occurs, the community and all of heaven rejoice.
If we are called then to live out and enact the same kind of work that shines God’s love in this world, should we, too, not commit ourselves to the pastoral work for the small percentage of people who become seriously ill due to the coronavirus? Should we not take every measure to protect them from the brunt of the virus?
Simultaneously, should we not also find ways to help those who have a lost coin, who now hunger and have little or no income? Should we not advocate for financial assistance and loan forgiveness for the the small business owner and the unemployed during this worldwide crisis? Should our faith communities not search for ways to contribute to assisting individuals and nonprofits that are working on behalf of our poorest and most vulnerable neighbors?
Radical times call for radical measures. For Christians, COVID-19 should be first and foremost an issue that calls for responses that are “both/and,” not “either/or.”
For starters, let us refuse to engage in divisive rhetoric or to spread false information. Let us not diminish the dangers of the virus. Let us not ignore a financial crisis that is crippling the lives of fellow citizens.
We need to be examples of how people of differing perspectives can work together in order to fight for the sick and their families and to protect and support the most vulnerable among us.
When we do, we will be able to say, “Rejoice with us. We have found each other.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — To read Shapard’s full article and learn more about his experience with COVID-19, go to tabonline.org/covid-reflection.
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My grandmother spent a month with me some years ago.
We were about to move to Texas to attend Southwestern Seminary, and she was concerned about what we would have to eat.
We bought a bushel of apples and made apple pies, but she also taught me to can apples for pies later on.
I was about to discard the peels after we made apple butter and apple jelly when she stopped me and said we’d boil those and make apple juice.
We used everything but the seeds and stems, and she probably would have liked to have planted those.
I thought at the time that this was because she came up during the depression days where everything counted.
That memory has come to my mind several times over these last weeks during quarantine.
What we are experiencing I believe and hope will remind us how fortunate and blessed we have been all our lives.
Technology enables us now to work, attend school and even worship services and stay in touch with friends and loved ones.
We can order groceries, pay our bills and even speak to a doctor via teledoc conference without leaving home.
May God give us all wisdom and a greater appreciation for all our blessings.
Teresa Maddox
Millbrook, Ala.
Your generosity is at work in our community! Last night, some of our Change Maker volunteers were able to bring dinner to the staff working on the COVID-19 floor of Jackson Hospital [Montgomery]. Thank you to our volunteers for stepping in to serve and thank you for giving to make it happen.
Vaughn Forest Church
via Twitter
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Letters to the Editor
When so many areas of our lives are “discontinued” and put on hold, it is comforting and familiar to receive my valuable The Alabama Baptist paper each week.
Teresa Noell
Anniston, Ala.
It is always encouraging to see what additional aspects of coverage on so many meaningful people, events and situations are found in each and every edition of TAB. I have yet to be disappointed and am always appreciative of the combined efforts of the staff to set forth in each edition such qualitative output.
Gratitude only consists of nine letters, but their combination spells a ton of appreciation from this reader!
Morris Murray Jr.
Jasper, Ala.
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Tell the story of what God is doing.
Ronnie Floyd
President and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee
The Bible says that a universe groaning under a curse doesn’t seem to make any sense to us (Heb. 2:8). It’s only when we look to Christ, crucified and returning, that we can see the Word that holds everything together (Col. 1:17).
Russell Moore
President, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, SBC
I hate COVID-19. But I am unsure about how much I dislike what it has done for the Church. We are learning more about ourselves. Christians are growing. Faith is flourishing. In reality, nothing is lost.
Kevin Parker, Editor
The Baptist New Mexican
I don’t have all the words of pastors or church leaders, but I do believe the simple sign I saw in a Burger King drive thru: “It will be okay!” My prayer is that this will humble us for the future, and our compassion for others will not fade away.
David Willis
Montgomery, Ala.
Obviously, the virus has shattered a lot of lives, and left many others weakened and mourning. But it will be sometime before we all process the enormity of what is happening right now.
For some people, the Great Lockdown is simply going to be a momentary interruption in their lives — an interesting time that will maybe inspire some heartwarming stories and shared moments.
For many others, it will be the moment everything spiraled out of control, and they will spend the rest of their lives lamenting what they lost. They were so close to … whatever.
And for still others, it will be the moment everything clicked. Whatever their plans were before, suddenly something has opened up that might never have occurred to them in their past lives, and a new world suddenly breaks into view.
Hoping you’re all well and full of anticipation.
William Thornton
Southside, Ala.
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From the Twitterverse
@makingyourDAYna
“If you want a safe, carefree life, stay away from Jesus.” #SecretChurch20
@haines_matt
These #SecretChurch20 crashes help us in a small way to understand the hunger that some of our brothers and sisters in persecuted contexts have for God’s word and don’t have the access we do here.
@myarnell
“The community of faith does not need brilliant personalities but faithful servants of Jesus and of one another.” — Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “Life Together”
@pastorjaycbc
To have peace in the midst of a pandemic, we must not be dull of hearing. We must not hear God’s voice through His Word in unbelief. Father, help us grow beyond the ABCs of the Christian faith.
@TrevinWax
I love the psalms of ascent. They’re brief — but like little bits of dynamite that blow up our self-centered worlds and lift our eyes to God and His purposes.
@baptistpress
“We need to think and plan carefully so we don’t endanger people simply because we let our guard down and believe that the coronavirus crisis had passed.”
— @kenbraddy
@bryantwright
Today I am praying for government leaders by name, from the president to county officials in the executive, judicial and legislative branches. They need our prayers. Whatever they decide in navigating COVID-19 brings criticism and second guessing. Please pray for God’s wisdom and strength for them.
@davesnyder82
Time may hurt you. People may hurt you. Seasons may hurt you. Yet, remember the joy of Jesus. He is and will always be the perfect remedy for your pain. Allow yourself to sleep well tonight, knowing that you are loved by the glorious and risen King.
@trillianewbell
I want the faith and peace of Daniel … steadfast in prayer. I read Daniel 6 tonight and was unexpectedly moved to tears. The king’s decree made me worship. Thought I’d share just in case anyone else would be encouraged by it. You won’t regret rereading these familiar verses.
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