It's a lovely day to be an introvert. I'm sorry if being inside your house is driving you insane....or, your kids being inside your house is driving you insane. Obviously, it's not all roses and sunshine in my house every moment, but I have to say I'm not sad about being encouraged to stay at home and away from people. Between homeschooling and cooking and cleaning, I'd say we have more than enough to keep us busy and I get to see more of my kids and husband!!
Every morning, the rooster across the street crows as the day begins- isn't that quaint?? Scotty and I are still getting up before the kids to drink coffee and read our Bibles. The routine for the morning looks pretty much the same as when the kids were going to school, except no one has to rush off and we can just jump right into school work after breakfast. I've got them going on a half hour work, 20 minute play cycle and that seems to keep them focused for short bursts and playing hard for short bursts through the morning. I throw some chores and baking in there and before you know it, the morning is done! Then we all have a rest after lunch and finishing up homework after that. It doesn't happen every day, but we try to work in a family devo time when we read God's word together, pray and do some sort of related activity. Then, out for a short walk with the dogs and then dinner! The kids are mainly rotating between jumping on the trampoline, playing soccer in the house and scootering. It's working out pretty well! Of course, I might be back here in a few days pulling my hair out cause our quiet and isolated life style is driving me nuts.
Overall, I'm grateful for many things these days. One, our health. There's nothing like a pandemic to remind you what a gift strength and health are. I'm grateful that we are in a position to be able to stay at home and work from home. Scotty plugs away at online classes- posting material and grading assignments so that the academic year can move forward. I know that the reality of not being able to continue working in the same way could quickly become a serious crisis for many around us. And, even though the uncertainty and sickness tempts me to fear and anxiety, I'm thankful for the opportunity to deepen my dependence on the Lord. I've always thought of myself as a pretty laid-back person, but I also see the way I desperately cling to my security, my world being nicely laid out and planned and running mostly according to my schedule. I like to think I have control over what's going on in my life. Times like these make it abundantly clear that my ability to orchestrate my life is really just a mirage. At any moment, something can change and I see myself in this mirror of adversity and the depth of my faith (or lack thereof) shines back at me. So, I go through this painful and wonderful process of surprise and repentance and submission to the Father, who gives grace abundant and leads me along His paths of truth and hope, even when it's through the valley. I think the crisis we endured in November last year has better equipped me to handle this one. Ultimately, the root of my own challenges grows out of the tough question, Do I believe that to live is Christ and to die is gain?
What are you doing in these unique days and what is God teaching you?
