Week 3 of Shelter In Place

Looking at the calendar I am still not quite convinced that it’s April. March never wanted to end. I feel like we are in some sort of twisted Groundhog Day/Apocalyptic movie sequel in which those with the largest toilet paper stash reign as king and the rest of us are at the mercy of the grocery store delivery trucks. Yoga pants and anything stretchy has become the new norm and dry shampoo has become a dear friend.

As a teacher, I thrive on lists and “to do” items. So I knew schedules and lists would be key when entering into this “distance learning” with me and my husband’s kids (grades 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th). In the first week of quarantine, I made a beautifully sequenced schedule on our kitchen whiteboard. “I’ve got this! We can do this, it will be great!” I kept repeating over and over.  Maybe if I say it enough it will become true. Right?

But not all things go according to plan… by week two I was trying to call my student’s parents while one of my three kiddos had a Zoom meeting with her teacher. Halfway through a voicemail I was leaving, she stood up with her iPad and said, “Um… My teacher asked if I could go to another room because the whole class can hear everything you’re saying.” Needless to say, we learned where the MUTE button was really quickly. And if I have to hear one more time, “But that’s not how my teacher does it,” I think I’m going to lose it!  I tell them, “I am a teacher! And I’m a teacher in the same school district as your teacher, so you can trust me!” Still doesn’t work. Also, it’s very difficult to maintain a level of professionalism during an online meeting when my nine-year-old son pops up behind me in the camera and my twelve-year-old makes bunny ears on my head while I’m trying to speak. 

However, despite the chaos, there have been some wonderful blessings. The opportunity to have Bible story time with my kids has been great. The discussions have been rich and deep.  The walks we have taken, the cooking, baking, and playing has created a space for closeness that there wasn’t time for before. I can feel a new perspective being built up in me. Where I once would value keeping to a schedule, I now pray to be able to distinguish between what is necessary and what is a hindrance to deepening our walk with Christ. “To do” lists and schedules may not go the way I intend, but trusting in the Lord will lead me to a far greater accomplishment when all is said and done.

“For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations; He frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen for his own inheritance.” ~Psalm 33:9-12~ 

God is divine. He is sovereign. The time He has given us was not by mistake. I have found His will in doing simple things with my kids, like making lip balm with my stepdaughters.  Halfway through the process I realized this was one of the first times that just the three of us worked alongside each other. There we were, in the kitchen making a mess and building memories that would be special, just between us. I pray that this memory will stick with them as they grow. I pray God will give me more opportunities to build upon these types of sweet moments.

As a family, we have been able to spend evenings in the Word. After watching a Bible Project video I heard my son relate to Apostle Paul: “Mom, I get what Paul is saying. He’s saying that if he dies it would be nice for him because then he gets to be with Jesus and not have to worry anymore. But also that if he doesn’t die he’ll be able to save more people by telling them about Jesus. And that’s our job with the Coronavirus. We need to not be worried and just talk about Jesus with people.” Whaaaaat??!! Man! Future Pastor Brody breaking down the book of Ephesians y’all! Now, keeping it real, about two seconds later he was kicking his sister and arguing – losing dessert privileges. But I tell you what… as a Christian parent, don’t we just live for those moments? To hear a child grasping and displaying their understanding of the gospel is a beautiful thing. 

God has given us the responsibility and privilege to see that we deliver the gospel and guide our children, not in a spirit of fear and panic, but in a spirit of divine confidence that comes from the One.

~Dear Jesus, I pray for the individuals reading this right now. Please remove all fear and anxiety from their lives. Give them a sense of peace that surpasses all understanding. Let them be a light to their friends, family, and coworkers during this uncertain time. Help us to look for the blessings in moments of strife and to see your sovereign hand in all that is done. You are mighty. You have gone before us and are in control. Help us to cling onto your Word and share the gospel with those around us like we have never done before. Place a burning desire upon each of our hearts to seize small moments of opportunity in our day to see you and show you to our children, grandchildren, and the unbelievers in our lives. God be with us. Amen.~