Following Rules

The 15 Days to Slow the Coronavirus Guidelines were issued on March 16, 2020 and have been urgently repeated and reminded by Vice President Mike Pence, almost daily. I can't remember a time when rules were so important to be followed. The Guidelines include 1. Listen to and follow the directions of your state and local authorities. 2. If you feel sick, stay home. Do not go to work. 3. If your children are sick, keep them at home. 4. If someone in your household has tested positive for the Coronavirus, keep the entire household at home. 5. If you are an older American, stay home and away from other people. 6. If you have a serious underlying health condition stay home and away from other people.

The guidelines include encouraging everyone to wash hands regularly and to wipe down surfaces in the home often. Thus disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer have been flying off the shelves. Life has changed dramatically in 15-days. Restaurants have closed and curbside pickup and drive-through have replaced eating out. Nearly all stores and small businesses, including services, have shut down except for grocery stores, convenience stores and supermarkets.

Yesterday, the President announced the guidelines would continue to April 30. Governor Reynolds is expected to follow with similar instructions when she makes her daily address later today.

""Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these tow commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."" (Matthew 22:36-40 ESV).

Christians have rules to follow also and they are even more important to follow than the 15-day guidelines, especially during these challenging times. Love God and your neighbor. Short and succinct.

God, thank you for being with us throughout this scary and remarkable time. Help us to be patient, law-abiding citizens with hearts filled with love for our fellow man and woman. Show us ways to love our neighbors, and accept our love to you, Lord. We pray. Amen.

Be safe and be well. God bless you.