Well, it finally happened.
At 12:30 a.m. Saturday, January 21, 2023 I was sent home from work having tested positive for the Covid virus. But let me be clear. I do not have Covid. Why do I say that?
Well, for a couple of reasons. First, I’ve worked with Covid infected patients and co-workers for almost three years now and what I have seen and what I’m experiencing are two different things. The only things that I’ve experienced are a low grade temp in the evenings and a mild headache during the periods of fever. It’s been pretty much like a mild case of the flu without the aches and pains associated with the flu.
I’ve not experienced any loss of smell or taste and I certainly have not lost appetite by any stretch of the imagination. There have not been any difficulties with breathing and there has not been any malaise. Here at home, I am functioning pretty much as I always have. Praises be unto God!
Let me say, just so that we’re clear and on the same page, Covid is real. I’ve seen the deleterious effects that Covid can present and I’ve witnessed more than my share of death to complications related to Covid. Yes, Covid is real. I believe that.
Still, I have chosen to remain unvaccinated as have the remainder of my household. When I tested positive, it was brought to my attention that perhaps I should have gotten vaccinated. I pointed out to that person that most everyone that I know that has been fully vaccinated and boosted have had Covid at least once and some have had Covid on multiple occasions. That effectively shut down that argument.
Here’s my take on things as they sit now. Most any organization or agencies that issue warnings and recommend the vaccination process has, in my meager mind, lost credibility. That’s the World Health Organization, the CDC, and the powers that be in our government. I’m not saying that those organizations and powers are all bad. It’s just that I don’t trust them anymore. Having said that, I maintain that to vaccinate or not vaccinate is an individual decision. Certainly, I have no ill will towards anyone who has been vaccinated. However, that has not be reciprocated towards me or my family because we choose to remain unvaccinated.
Why? Because I’ve followed the science and at the end of my search I found an enormous pile of money coming out the pockets of many and finding its way into the pockets of the few. It’s not anything that you probably don’t already know.
Yes, Covid is VERY real. But do you know that my GOD is very real as well? My God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of Israel is far greater than Covid will ever be! My wife and I have strived, for many years, to be faithful to God and His Holy Word. We have believed what God has said in the Bible and we conform to that. Not out of a sense of being legalistic mind you. We conform and obey because we believe that it pleases our Heavenly Father and in that we have joy. We have been faithful to God.
Exodus 15:26
And He said, “If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the LORD, am your healer.”
And you know, I believe that God has been faithful to me.
I called Cheryl at 1:00 a.m. that Saturday morning to tell her that I was coming home. When she inquired as to why, I told her that I had Covid.
Before I could get five miles down the road she called me back. “You DO NOT have Covid!” she said. I knew that tone in her voice. She had, in the matter of a few minutes, switched from “What are we going to do?” mode into her intercessory prayer warrior mode. “I REBUKE Covid in the name of Jesus! I condemn this assault upon you and this household!” Basically, she lifted me upwards to our Heavenly Father and called upon God to rebuke the enemy on my behalf.
When I walked through the door, I was not greeted by a fearful wife. I was greeted by a fearless, praying, oil pouring woman of God. Not only was she praying for me, but she was praising God for His faithfulness, mercy, and grace.
I believe those prayers were heard.
I’ll return to work in three or four more days when I have met the protocols of the powers that be. What am I doing? I’m writing articles. I’m writing and producing podcasts. I’m beginning work on video projects. I’m doing all the things that The Old Watchman would normally be doing. I haven’t slowed down.
Devil, once again you find yourself and your emissaries in retreat. When will you learn that the Hosts of the Lord are watching over my shoulder. That’s not going to change. You have been put on notice.
This Covid thing is mild and temporary. At least, it is in my case. I sadly realize that it is not so for everyone. I pray for them. It is not my intention to convey that my faith is greater or that my immunological structure is stronger. My intent is to convey praises thanksgiving to an all-powerful God for once again preserving me for whatever purpose He has for me.
I am The Old Watchman, Ezekiel. And, wouldn’t you know, I’m very partial to Psalm 91.