Church column: “I’ve had suspected coronavirus - it was the first time I’d really thought about dying”

Comment piece by Revd Pep Hill, Associate Priest in the Harborough Anglican Team

Teachers should get a MASSIVE pay rise when this is all over! I home-schooled our two children for three days, then got suspected coronavirus and went to bed!

Thankfully, I only got it ‘mildly’, which translates to calling the ambulance only once, thankfully not having to go to hospital, and now, four weeks later, just starting to be able to get up for short bursts each day.

It’s been a difficult time, although not nearly as difficult as many are still coping with. Even though I have faced various illnesses over the years, it was interesting that as I struggled to breathe, it was the first time I’d really thought about dying. I desperately didn’t want to die, because it would be so painful for my family and friends. But I wasn’t afraid, which I found encouraging.

When you’re a ‘professional’ Christian, you’re supposed to have all the answers and unfortunately, we often don’t! So it was encouraging to me to realise that when it mattered, I could put aside all the unanswered questions and just trust that God is not only good, but that He’s always there and ultimately, one way or another, it will be OK.

It’s also been interesting to be on the receiving end of the Church – usually I’m one of those in charge and helping make sure everyone’s looked after. But for the last month, I’ve felt totally useless. Other people have been making my food, doing the shopping and normal jobs of life, cheering me up with funny videos and phone calls, even making nettle soup! So here’s what I’ve learnt so far.

1. Teachers are hugely underrated!

2. I am more blessed than I have realised, in so many ways.

3. Our entire way of life can be shattered in a matter of weeks. I cannot control even my own life, let alone others’. I can’t get better just by wanting to be better. And it’s actually a relief to accept that and just relax.

4. Relationships are so important – whether with friends, family or God.

5. But that doesn’t make them easy! But the more you go through together, the stronger they can get.

6. It may be more blessed to give than to receive – but it’s also wonderful to receive. The Harborough Anglican Team has a bank of DBS checked volunteers who can get shopping, medication, or are available to chat.

7. I am far more than what I do – I am loved by God because I’m his daughter, not because of what I achieve, or how ‘good’ I am.

8. Technology isn’t as bad as I feared and I’m not as incompetent with it as I thought.

9. We are all going to die and we need to work out what to do with that. Someone tweeted recently, “A Christian is someone who lives prepared to die, and dies prepared to live.”

10. Nettle soup is absolutely delicious!

Revd Pep Hill is Associate Priest in the Harborough Anglican Team.

Details of spiritual resources available on line from the town’s churches can be found at https://www.harboroughchurches.org.uk/news . For details of the Anglican Team’s help service call Rev Andy Giles on 07825 021722.