I guess this Stupid Virus has made it difficult for me to live my day to day life. Shucks. School is cancelled until 4-20. If school actually starts meeting on that day, I can tell you more parents than ever are going to be remembering Bob.
Hey, listen. I really like my children. Love them, even! But it can be a lot tryna be together, in quarantine for a whole month. Yesterday, my poor boy asked if we could go somewhere. When I told him all the somewhere places we would go are closed until further notice, he sighed and said "Well, can we just get in the car and drive around?"
We were supposed to go to the coolest zoo ever next week, but it got shut down until the virus passes. I offered to buy everyone an animal costume and lock them in cages but they didn't like my new plan. I even told them I'd throw food at them. The 13 Year Old said she was game for that if she could be the zoo keeper. Everyone else just gave me the "you're stupid" look.
So, now I am in full mom mode, and my kids are doing their best to play together and help maintain order. Today we baked cranberry muffins, and blueberry bread. We went on Amazon and ordered some fuzzy coloring posters, new puzzles and sparkly craft paper. (Who doesn't need more sparkles in their life?) We watched clips on YouTube from Napoleon Dynamite. (My feeble attempt at convincing them they're missing out on life by refusing to watch this movie with me.) At some point YouTube decided we needed some suggestions, and offered us an 11 year old channel called "Great Depression Cooking" in which our new friend Clara shows us how to cook food from the Depression era. While she is cooking she tells us old stories from her childhood memories.
Her stories are laced with vocabulary like "It wasn't much, but we were happy." and "We didn't have the fancy stuff, but we had what we needed."
Oh, for the joy of doing without. Jesus, create in us hearts of contentment and willingness to live in the circumstances you grant us... for the simple pleasure of being right where you want us to be.
My favorite passage from scripture is Hebrews 11 and 12. The writer of this book lists the incredible people who persevered in faith, and yet did not take hold of any earthly reward. The purpose of living through difficulty is to refine us; to make us mature and complete (James 1:4). We can walk through uncertain times because we know what God promises us if we persevere: a crown of life (James 1:12).
Am I implying that we are under persecution like our ancestors in faith? No... but I feel like I am struggling. I feel like I am being refined. Besides, Hebrews 11:39-40 says "They were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect." We are part of a long faith legacy. We have been passed the torch, and urged to run. Our sanctification plays a part in the kingdom story... in God's story.
So, here I am, learning the secret of contentment (Philippians 4:11). It is easy to be content when I have all the fancy things. I must choose contentment when I do not have convenience and fun to distract me. If I allow the author and perfecter of my faith to build my character, I will experience life on this side of eternity more fully. Yes, please!
And so, since we have examples to follow, lets do the same. Let us throw off our chains, and let us fix our eyes on Christ, who "for the joy set before him" endured the cup he was given.
Where is your joy? Have you set your eyes on the promises of God? I assure you, Dear Ones, there is a hope and future! Fix your eyes on the blessing of the struggle.
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