Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about going! Like anywhere! I think isolation will do that to you. I don’t intend to write too much about this whole COVID-19 pandemic that we’ve been faced with, but today I just needed to get this off my chest.
It’s hard to believe that 10 weeks has passed since the beginning of all this. At first it felt a bit scary. There was certainly a sense of tension and worry but also mixed with some grief over the loss that was to come. So many things cancelled. So many question marks. And then there was a sense of determination after those first weeks. Where I think we just rose up as a country and decided, ‘yeah! We’re gonna flatten this curve!” And then after that, when it sort of felt like this isn’t going to end anytime soon, it felt like we started to realize that we are all in the same boat and we need to start reaching out to one another. Making video connections, dropping groceries to seniors, visiting through window panes. Those mid-weeks were filled with so many online inspiring videos of sidewalk chalk thank-yous & birthday street parades. So amazing!
And I don’t know about the rest of you, but I have found these past two weeks probably the hardest of them all. I’ve been so grateful to all the amazing essential workers and our country’s leaders who have remained calm & composed. Who we’ve looked to for guidance on what to do next. And it sounds like we’re moving in the right direction. We’re united by our desire to make this thing go away.
The recent ease on some restrictions has allowed us all to take a collective sigh of relief. I see less people out walking that try to jump in the bushes when they see me approaching on the sidewalk. People are more friendly now and are saying ‘hi’ as they pass! That’s a good thing!
And I think that’s what has made this past while a bit more challenging. I feel this great sense of ready, set, STOP! Being an extrovert, I thrive on being with people. My kids are heavily involved in many activities, we participate in many social events, I love cooking meals for people & delivering them, shopping, etc. And with the ease of restrictions, it’s tempting to want to throw caution to the wind and get things back to “normal”.
So… why am I saying all of this? For a couple of reasons. Firstly, maybe you’re like me! Did you know they just re-opened the WINNERS stores on Friday? Do you know how badly I want to go??? Like, really badly! But, I hear that still, small voice in the back of my head saying … ready, set, STOP. Winners will be there next week, next month. It will be fine. There’s still time to enjoy the money still in my bank account. There’s still time to stay home and play more board games with my kids. There’s still time to cherish this very odd situation we are in right now.
Secondly, maybe you’re afraid. You know, there’s so much talk about a ‘second wave’ in the Fall or how this could go on for another year. And maybe that sparks fear in you. And that fear can range from simple nervousness to outright “quakin’ in yer boots!”. Can I just remind you?… ready, set, STOP! 2 Tim 1:7 says “for God has not given us a Spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
No matter where you are in the spectrum of emotions during this time, I would encourage you today to ready, set, STOP! Take a look around you. Find the blessing today. It might be small or it might be huge! I’d start here… the sun is shining, the birds are singing their praises to the heavens, the grass smells good, the coffee in my hand will keep me going. That’s enough for now. And maybe that’s all you’ll get for today. But know that’s enough! The very air in our lungs is a gift from the Maker. There’s something to learn today about STOPPING and allowing the work of the Lord to speak to the corners of your heart that need it the most.
Ready? Set? stop. take it in.
Blessings
X
April
(Photos courtesy of pexels.com)
Embrace The Delay 
Thank you April – I enjoyed reading this!
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