By Shady Grove Pastor Tom Campbell

A lot has been said about this recently coined phrase, “new normal.” I believe it started with the advent of terrorism.

I was taking some time, reflecting down on the farm, when it occurred to me just how many “new normals” I have experienced in my rather lengthy lifetime.

I was born during the Korean War. Shortly afterward we faced polio, and at least for a while, we had no idea where it was coming from or how it was transmitted. Many parents, mine included, pronounced our first self-imposed quarantine that lasted until a vaccine was finally found.

The fear nor the quarantine lifted for us but added to that new normal.

There were long lines of people wanting the vaccine, which consisted of a cube of sugar laced with a dose of that precious medicine we hoped would shield us.

Our newfound comfort was soon interrupted by the threat of nuclear war with intercontinental ballistic missiles that could deliver nation-killing warheads.

Another “new normal.”

Those who could afford them rushed to build in-home bunkers that could withstand the initial attack – but offered little hope, since the effects of radiation would last for centuries.

The late ’60s brought the assassination of our beloved president and fear as to the true motives that precipitated the event. There was also concern as to how Lyndon Johnson would navigate the Cold War; concern about our involvement in Vietnam; and a complete mistrust in our government.

As riots engulfed our major cites and the news was filled with violence, we came to know another “new normal.”

This “new normal” came to a crescendo in the Watergate scandal and the resignation of both the president and the vice president, leaving us to grapple with yet more uncharted waters. The ’80s saw yet another new normal: G.R.I.D., or gay-related immune deficiency syndrome, that later became known as AIDS.

The turn of the century saw the World Trade Center destroyed by an Islamic terrorist attack. The response has produced a 20-year war and a steady barrage of homegrown terrorist assaults.

I know this has been a bit long, my rundown of history, but there is a point to it all.

Jesus said, “In this world, you will have tribulations but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.”

Isaiah could look at the devastation of Jerusalem and declare God’s mercies to be new every day.

The presence of evil and difficulty is not a new normal but rather a predicted normal – a normal that is matched by the comforting fact that we serve a God that has overcome these evils and diseases.

Our response is to trust in our heavenly Father and to be prudent and responsible in the way we respond to this particular crisis. We also need to be sensitive to the ways God is moving and be ready to join Him in service to the hurting, showing our world His love.

Prayers requested for Charlotte Evans Wise

Charlotte Evans Wise, of Homewood and Lacon, is undergoing therapy at Brookwood Hospital following a stroke. She would appreciate your prayers and correspondence.

Please send cards and notes to Charlotte at 703 Windsor Drive, Birmingham, AL 35209.

Morgan County Schools helps the needy

The Morgan County School system provided food for the county schools April 7. In our area, Eva, Falkville, Neel and Danville schools, were thankful for the food supplies for the children and their parents.

This was the last issue of food for this school year.

Falkville Lions Club Activities

Falkville Lions Club members President Terry Napier, Red Wallace, Aaron Burgess and Billy Bryan met with Chris Warnick of the Carpenter’s Cabinet to coordinate a plan to serve a hot meal of hamburgers and hotdogs Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Anyone who comes to the Carpenter’s Cabinet for food supplies will be served this meal.

The members who could not attend the meeting were contacted by phone.

McKendree United Methodist Church News

Derrell Shelton and helpers have erected the traditional cross on the corner of the McKendree United Methodist Church property facing Highway 55 and Evergreen Road. There will be no traditional placing of fresh flowers on the cross on Easter Sunday because of the pandemic.

Area Methodist churches observe Maundy Thursday activities

”Maundy Thursday,” April 9, several area Methodist Churches had Holy Communion for small family groups to come and go, commemorating the Lord’s Supper.

Chris Warnick expresses his appreciation

Chris Warnick, of the Carpenter’s Cabinet in Falkville, expresses his appreciation for the recent donations of food and money.

Chris also reminds everyone that the Carpenter’s Cabinet is open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and someone is always on call to help people at any time.