Okay, okay…before you jump all over me for the title, read the post. It's not what you might be thinking.

I remember a scene in the movie "Evan Almighty" when God, played by Morgan Freeman, was talking to the frustrated wife of Steve Carell’s character, Evan Baxter, because he was doing all that crazy ark-building.

“God” said:

“If someone prays for patience, you think God gives them patience? Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient? If they pray for courage, does God give them courage, or the opportunity to be courageous? If someone prayed for family to be closer, do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings or does he give them opportunities to love each other?

Here’s the link so you can watch the scene.

What have you been wishing for lately? A less materialistic lifestyle?
Here’s your opportunity to buy less stuff.

To be a better friend, spouse, parent?
Here’s your opportunity to reach out and virtually stay in touch.

To be less selfish?
Here’s your opportunity to check in on any elderly neighbors and get things for them at the store, or help out another business if yours isn’t hurt as badly.

How about more time at home and less time at work?
Enough said.

Or a faith life that is more than going through the Sunday motions?
Here your opportunity to take your faith by the reins and pray on your own, spread the good word, read the Bible, start a faith journal….whatever.

A more fulfilling job?
Here’s your opportunity to appreciate the job you have, if you still have it. Be grateful. If you don’t like it, find a reason to like it.

My wish for everyone is that we can each find some kind of opportunity to grow in this time of hurt.

My gratitude has increased tenfold in the past few days for personal reasons as well as business. While my heart aches for my high school senior who is missing out on those great end-of-high-school memories like prom, graduation and the ensuing celebrations, I’m grateful that he is healthy and has dedicated teachers helping him finish his senior year.

And while Creative Noggin has made some hefty adjustments to keep our employees in place, I’m grateful to have such an amazing team. We desperately want to help our clients through this time but there is really only so much we can do to help their businesses in the midst of this economic crisis. So we are doing what we can to help them cut, reallocate, adjust strategy and messaging where needed.

We all work from home (I have for 20-years now) so our daily work-life adjustment has been minimal in that regard.  But my heart goes out to all of those people who are trying to adjust to the work-at-home environment so quickly.

This is certainly the feeling of having the rug pulled out from under you. And we were ALL standing together on the rug.

Stay safe everyone and out of respect for all of our healthcare workers, and each other, use the social distancing guidelines and try to support your local businesses as best as you can. And I hope you find your "opportunity" in this crisis.

Trish Rawls