From surviving to thriving - finding community in COVID

Where were you when COVID disrupted your life? I was in Philadelphia interviewing finalist candidates for a nonprofit CEO position with my fellow board members. It was March 16, 2020. I scrambled to catch the next available flight home as the once-bustling city ground to a halt.

As COVID unfolded here in the US and globally, I knew this was the time to double down and not shrink back. My professional life focuses on serving the most vulnerable, and I knew those already struggling for the basic needs — access to clean water, food supply, and medical help — would be hit the hardest. What more could be done? What was God asking of me in this moment? As the year unfolded God’s daily Provision enabled me to thrive in the moments as He strengthened my faith, empowered me with hope, and surrounded me with a community of believers who provided much-needed encouragement for the journey.

Rising earlier to feast on God’s Word, pressing into prayer, and surrendering all into His holy hands, God’s presence brought perspective and peace to navigate these complex issues. Through the organizations our family supports, abandoned children were welcomed into homes and Hope for Honduras reached a million vulnerable people through food security and emergency support.

I personally felt deeply supported through the faith-filled community of our Legatus Forum throughout this time. As COVID unfolded, our Forum quickly pivoted to virtual meetings centered on two themes: “Beloved Ambassadors,” and “Put on the Full Armor of God.” My beloved sisters commented, “Our Forum has been just a text away in times when we’ve needed prayer, a good laugh, or a personal touch.” You helped “redirect my mind from the world’s darkness to Christ’s light.” “I always knew I had my beloved ambassadors to lean on … no matter what!” I saw “God’s silver lining in the new normal” and “I am a better Catholic woman because of our Forum.”

May you thrive in God’s call set before you surrounded by faithful Legatus Forum members.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith.” Hebrews 12:1-2

LINDA ROWAN serves on the Denver Chapter board. A community entrepreneur, she has launched prayer groups, co-chaired capital campaigns, started the Parent Advisory Council at Seattle Pacific University, and handles event planning for many nonprofit organizations.