No “New Normal” For Me

By Del Duduit

I’m not going with the flow.

That’s not my style. Never has been, and never will.

I am not a rebel, but I am not a puppet.

The term “new normal” does not, and will not apply to me.

I will not be indoctrinated into accepting a way of life that has been thrust upon me by people I don’t know, and mostly, don’t agree with at all.

If people choose to wear a mask, I get it and support them. I understand and am aware of the concern. I know the threat is real.

But then there are a few who choose to live in fear, but not me. This does not mean I will be cavalier either, and not be cautious for a while, but I will not wear a HazMat suit like some might eventually want us to wear.

I am not stubborn, and I am also not a lamb being led to the slaughter. I have a mind and am educated.

My rights will not be compromised, and I will not knowingly put anyone at risk.

But I will not hide. I will always take into consideration the health of others, but I will balk at anyone who “mandates” that I wear something.

I respond well to requests, but not orders. My pastor asked our congregation to wear a mask to church, and I honor that.

I do not accept the term the “new normal” and have grown tired of hearing “these challenging times.”

Normal for me will not be to wear a mask everywhere I go. It will not be to social distance much longer (although I do see an advantage to keep my distance from some people.)

My new normal will not be Door Dash and stay home and jump on Zoom call after Zoom call. I will not bathe in hand sanitizer and be herded into a department store.

The members of one political party want that, and seem desperate to make this lifestyle a reality. They want fear.

I am aware that COVID-19 is serious. But so are other aspects of life.

According to National Geographic, the odds of me getting struck by lightning is one in 3,000, which is .033 percent.

According to the Centers of Disease Control (CDC), the odds of me dying as a result of a car crash is one in 77, which is 1.29 percent.

And the chances of me coming down with the coronavirus in Ohio is .008 percent. And, if I catch it, the chances that I will die are even less.

Why isn’t anyone trying to stop Mother Nature.? Why have we not banned vehicles? I have a greater risk of dying from a bolt of lightning or an automobile accident than from COVID-19. Those are the statistics.

 

And yet, the world has come to a halt, and lives have been placed under a “new normal.”

I will not live this “new normal.” Besides, anyone who knows me will never describe me as “normal.”

I describe myself as “unique” or “distinctive” or even “quirky.”

My wife’s family sings an old Gospel song called “We’re Peculiar People.”

Some of us are quiet,

Some of us are loud,

Some of us are grateful,

None of us are proud,

We’re not what we used to be

We’re better off by far

And if you haven’t guessed by now

We’ll tell you who we are

We’re peculiar people

We rejoice when things go wrong

We shed tears when we are happy

We sing a glad new song

We’re redeemed by the blood of Jesus

We’re children of the Heavenly King

And if you care to join us

Just come along and sing

Every day’s exciting, it’s a new surprise

Miracles just happen, right before our eyes

We don’t question where they come from

For we already know, that if the King should come today

To heaven we will go.

This is my normal. This is my way of life. For the next few weeks, I will continue to honor the requests of those in authority who are trying to do their best. I hope their motives are not political, but it does appear that way to me.

I am not advocating that people rebel, not at all. My point here is to be the wonderful person God made. Be peculiar.

For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. (Deuteronomy 14: 2 KJV)

I am not a pawn. I am not gullible. I am not the “new normal.”

I will obey the laws of this land and those established by my church and by God.

And I will continue to be a “peculiar person” in all the right ways.

Will you?

Del Duduit is an award-winning writer and author who lives in Lucasville, Ohio with his wife, Angie. They attend Rubyville Community Church. Follow his blog at delduduit.com/blog and his Twitter @delduduit. He is represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary Agency.