Now since the title of this column has gotten your attention, let me say up front that the Coronavirus is a very bad thing. 

As of this writing and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in our country alone there have been 957,875 cases and 53,922 deaths associated with COVID-19. 

In the Coastal health District, of which Long County and Liberty County are a part of, we have had 414 confirmed cases, and 12 fatalities. 

But despite this disease being a very bad thing that has not only hit our country, but the entire world itself, it and everything else only takes place after passing by the throne of Jesus Christ. Nothing takes place on this planet, good or bad, without the good Lord allowing it to happen. But also understand, God allowing it to happen, is not the same as Him making it happen, or for that matter, wanting it to happen. But that’s another editorial for another time.

Now many of you are probably asking, why would a loving God allow something this bad to take place, if He really cared about us. Well, maybe it was to slow all of us down, and have us refocus on some of the things in life that are really important. I know the majority of the Riddle family has slowed down tremendously as a result of this virus.

My wife and family are pretty much locked down at our home. As a result of this, we have been spending more time together doing things like playing games, watching movies, and even watching sermons online. Though I have always pushed for us to sit down and eat at least one meal a day as a family, with all of them at the house, we have been eating multiple meals together. I also know, that even though me and my wife have for a while, been trying to take the time together to pray together, with this virus shutting us down, we also have been watching more Godly clips on her Facebook and my YouTube. From what I see other people post online, it looks like may other families are doing the same, and many doing even more.

I saw a story online yesterday, that reported how many cities are seeing huge improvements in air quality and decreased pollution as a result of so may people not burning gas every day, driving to and from this place or that place. When I read it, I though wow, it sure doesn’t take God long to fix some of our screw-ups, if we just be still, and allow Him to fix them.

I know that despite most of our people not spending time together at the different functions like they have in the past, it also would appear that for most, a positive community spirit is higher than ever. There is a common bond being spread that no matter what, we all will get through this. 

We see groups like the Hinesville Fire Department and the Long County Fire Department canvasing the roads, with the Easter Buddy waving at all of the kids from a truck. We see worship centers like First Baptist Church of Ludowici holding “drive-in” services, with members and guest blowing their horns to praise God and show their love for one another. You see folks like Kadee and Kat Dasher with their crew making and giving away face mask for First Responders and anyone who wishes to have one free of charge, because of donations from people like Pam Waters, Steven Morales, and Sabrina Caines. You see folks like Karl Riles who on Facebook started out giving away $25 dollars to five unemployed waitresses and waiters, but with donations from others was able to give out $30 to at least 20 of these unemployed people. You see members of the community gather together to drive around Liberty Regional Medical Center blowing their horns and cheering to show support for the hospital workforce as they treat their patients inside.

In short, we are seeing people who are forgetting about the I in individuals, and instead who are showing support for others, probably like we haven’t seen since World War II.

Since becoming an elected official in 2016, I haven’t written any of these editorials. But with all of us going through this difficult time, I wanted to share these thoughts. Yes, the Coronavirus is bad, but I personally don’t believe in chance or that things happen without a purpose. Maybe the good Lord is having us go through this difficult time so that we might stop focusing so much on ourselves, and instead look to Him for guidance, and also so that we might love others like He loved us. Be safe.

Riddle is a full-time firefighter for the Hinesville Fire Department, a commissioner for Long County, and a former free-lance writer for the Coastal Courier.