Over the past week, life as we knew it has come to an absolute halt.   Schools are closed, businesses are shut down and here we are…presented with an unexpected gift courtesy of COVID-19—time together at home.

These are scary times. Times of uncertainty.  We have no idea how long this will be our reality.  Will we get sick? Will my business stay afloat? How will this impact us long-term?  Will we unexpectedly become a full-time homeschooling family?  The questions go on and on.  But one thing is certain, God is in control.

It’s easy to get stuck on the hamster wheel of anxiety.  As the questions in my mind begin to spiral out of control,  I’m trying to remain purposeful about how our children experience this and stay strong in faith.

Nothing about this is normal.  However, my goal is to make this  time as normal as possible for them.  The last thing I want for them is to emerge from this experience with anxiety and fear.  Childhood is meant to be carefree, whimsical…and for them, so it shall remain.

And so, we pass the time.

I’ve dusted off my old teaching manuals and have dived full force into my old life.

 

We’re taking hikes. Hikes we’ve always talked about doing, but have just been “too busy” to actually take.

 

We’re visiting local businesses to get our groceries and supplies.  Now, more than ever, supporting our local farms is crucial.  We’ve had the best time farm-hopping through our community.

 

We’re getting an ample supply of vitamin D by spending time outside.  We’ve been jumping on the trampoline, scootering and playing at empty parks, pulling weeds, playing with our chickens and throwing slimy tennis balls to our dogs.

There’s so much beauty in this chaos.  Find the blessings in this time at home, surrounded by the ones you love most. Enjoy how creative this time is forcing you to be.  Invest in one another, read that book you’ve been meaning to start, paint the room you’ve been thinking about changing, organize a closet and donate what you don’t need.

Be patient.  This will pass. For now, embrace the gift of time at home because soon enough, we’ll be back to the fast pace of life before.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” -James 1:2-4