Throughout the past few weeks of social distancing and quarantine, the chorus of the Tom Petty song keeps popping into my head:
You take it on faith,
You take it to the heart,
The waiting is the hardest part.
These times have tested our faith, our fears, and our patience as we’ve dealt with all the aspects of this pandemic. The financial markets have been more volatile than anything we’ve seen in two generations. We worry about those that have lost jobs, hurt for our small business neighbors that are facing economic difficulties, and pray for our friends in the medical profession that are doing all they can to care for the sick.
We’ve learned more than we ever wanted to about the Tiger King, how hard our kids’ Common Core math homework can be, and that we have more food than we realize in our pantry and freezer to sustain us.
We are troubled by the varying reports we see on TV or read on social media. We are worried about the non-profits and churches that provide so much help to those in need.   But we are comforted to see companies, individuals, and children working together to provide supplies, and more importantly hope to many around our nation and world.
With financial markets in flux, how have you reacted? Fear and panic were behaviors that were in favor during many trading days last month.  What feelings did you have when you opened your March investment statement?
We are also in the last week of Lent, a period of 40 days that Christians use as a season of reflection and preparation for Easter. It’s also meant to replicate Jesus Christ’s withdrawal and sacrifice into the desert for 40 days.
We all have given up more than carbonated beverages, sweets or eating meat in the past month. The sacrifice has been noticeable, and unbearable for many of us. But as Easter approaches and we observe all the flowers in full bloom here in East Tennessee, we are reminded of what is truly important.
What happened on Easter Sunday was a disruption that changed the world forever. Perhaps, what we are experiencing now can have the same effect on our financial and family lives as well.
