Don't Wait

We are a vanishing mist.

Tag: COVID-19

Yonder Breaks a New and Glorious Morn!

December 12, 2020 /

I’m currently doing a book study with a group of girls from church called “Advent: The Weary World Rejoices” by Lifeway Women which can be ordered HERE.  I was drawn in rather quickly by this book simply by the title which is, of course, a line from the well-known Christmas carol “O Holy Night.”

A thrill of hope

The weary world rejoices

Do you identify with that second line?  I know I certainly do, especially at the current time we’re living in.  During this year, I’ve seen more division than I’ve ever seen in my 44 years of life.  The Covid-19 pandemic alone has divided people on many levels.  Masks vs. No masks.  To quarantine or not to quarantine?  Vaccine or no vaccine?  Shut down businesses to protect people or let the virus run its course?

And then there’s the loneliness that is being experienced by nearly everyone.  Elderly people in nursing homes are unable to see their families, people who are housebound due to age or a disability are further isolated in order to protect them, and the immunocompromised have to be selective about with whom they have direct contact.

Some families have chosen not to get together to celebrate birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other holidays in order to slow the spread of the disease.  Children are confined to their homes the majority of the time and if they live in an area where they are allowed to attend school they are kept 6 feet away from their teachers and peers.  As I wrote in THIS post back when the pandemic first started, we were not created to be socially distant.

And how about the racial division?  I’m ready for the dissension to be behind us.  I hate to see people full of so much hatred and hurt lashing out at each other.  I long for peace on earth, but in my opinion I don’t think that is realistically attainable on this side of heaven.  

We’re weary, but yet we can rejoice.  Think of all of the years of waiting for the birth of Jesus.  Imagine not hearing from God for 400 years.  What FAITH it must have taken to trust that even though He was silent, the long awaited King would one day arrive.  Thankfully, He did indeed arrive and now here we are over 2,000 years past that sacred night awaiting His return.  We’re worn down by life as we know it and long for our heavenly home.  This is where our hope must lie.  The fact that this world will soon be behind us is the reason that we can rejoice.  

For yonder breaks, a new and glorious morn

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

As I was praying about this post, this next line popped in my head.  We can have confidence in knowing that no matter how hard this life gets, a new and glorious morn is in the distance.  We are to press forward toward the goal as Paul instructs us to do in Philippians 3.  If you are a Christ follower as I am, then you are just passing through.  Our 70-80 years here on earth are miniscule compared to eternity in the glorious home that we are headed towards.

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.  ~ Philippians 3:20-21

Our perspective should be an eternal one.  This world will pass away!  Our lives are but a mist (James 4:14).  I have never longed for heaven more than I do right now.  I have never identified more with what Paul said in Philippians 1:21-23:

For to me, living means opportunities for Christ, and dying—well, that’s better yet!  But if living will give me more opportunities to win people to Christ, then I really don’t know which is better, to live or die!  Sometimes I want to live, and at other times I don’t, for I long to go and be with Christ. How much happier for me than being here!

Oh how I feel this deep in my soul!  I can often feel an ache within as I yearn to be in my heavenly home where I will spend an eternity with my creator and lover of my soul.  But, for now, I am here which gives me more time to share Christ with those around me.  This brings me to one of my life verses.

But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.  ~ Acts 20:24

As Christ-followers, we have the hope that so many are longing for.  Our lives are pointless if we don’t share it with others.  We don’t have the time to wait.  Now is the time to share with them that a new and glorious morn is coming!  We are holding this gift in our hearts and we must share it.  

It’s easy to see that there are so many who are looking for hope and security in the wrong ways.  For some, it’s a vaccine.  For others, it’s national and state leaders.  And this list goes on indefinitely: money, job security, prestige, fame, house, spouse, pastor, government…there are countless ways that people try to fill themselves.  But, these things only bring temporary pleasure.

And let me add a little disclaimer here.  I am no better.  I certainly get swept up in the cares of the world and forget where my focus should be.  I get tired and overwhelmed and instead of looking to Jesus for answers, I try to do things myself.  I make things of this world my idol, often thinking these may fill me.  But, they don’t!  That’s when he brings me gently back in and reminds me that He is all I need.  If I have the answer to the unsettledness that I at times feel, why wouldn’t I share it with others?

Things are a bit tricky and it’s hard to reach out to people with the current pandemic, so you may have to get creative.  There are some who wouldn’t feel comfortable being over for dinner, but maybe you could drop off a plate of cookies.  Or who doesn’t love getting a card or letter in the mail?  A face to face conversation may not be possible, but a phone call would work, too.  Strive to build relationships so that you can share the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7) that so many people are longing for.

No matter how worn out you are, don’t lose heart.  Our eternal reward is on the horizon.  The greatest way to find complete peace is to focus first on Jesus, and then on others.  He tells us to first love Him with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength and then to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31).  Let’s get our eyes off of our own weariness and focus on serving others so that they can experience the promise that we have of a new and glorious morn.  Let’s rejoice even in our lassitude as we pass the reason for our thrill of hope to those around us.  And whatever you do, DON’T WAIT!!!

Today I Cried

April 7, 2020 /

Written Sunday, April 5

I’ve been handling the tragedy that our world is facing pretty well.  I’ve been keeping positive, spending time with Jesus everyday, and simply trusting that He is in control.  But, today, I cried. I’m not a crier. I probably have a good cry MAYBE 5 times a year. It takes a lot to get me there and usually it’s hormones that push me over the edge.  Today, though, I had a cry that was not hormone-related and was several weeks coming.   

This morning, my husband and I got up early and arrived at Target right as it opened.  We knew that was the only way we’d get some of the items that we needed. The number of people in masks and gloves, the red circles that were 6 feet apart indicating where to stand at the check-out, the sneeze guards that are now between the cashier and the customer, and the weird dance we constantly had to do in order to reach products on the shelves without getting into other people’s 6 feet of personal space made me feel so heavy.  We then headed to Aldi which pushed me beyond what I thought I could handle. But, let me say this loud and clear. My faith still runs deep. I in no way doubt God or question His control. What I’m feeling, instead, is something that my Uncle Jim summed up perfectly in his comment on THIS blog post. I’m feeling sorrow.

Sorrow:  a feeling of deep distress caused by loss, disappointment, or other misfortune suffered by oneself or others. ~ dictionary.com

Read that definition again.  I think sorrow is something that every single person in the world has felt in the last few months.  I’m honestly not feeling sorrow for me. I’m feeling sorrow for the people of the world. Being out in public today brought all of the feelings deep within me to the surface and they emerged as soon as I sat down in my van.  My thoughts were a jumbled mess, so my husband took the extra long way home and listened as I sobbed and worked through all of my thoughts.  

Today I cried for all of the coronavirus victims that are in the hospital fighting for their lives all by themselves because their family members can’t stay with them.  I know a nurse who is working the front lines in a COVID hospital directly with patients who have the virus. She has talked about the fear in people’s eyes as they are being dropped off at the door.  These people are terrified as they have no idea what their next few days will hold and they have no family with them to comfort them.  

Today I cried for everyone who has had to drop a family member off at the hospital and couldn’t stay because of the risk of being infected themselves.  I can’t imagine dropping my mom, husband, or anyone else for that matter off at a hospital and then leaving. All I can think is, “God be with them.”

Today I cried for the people who have to die alone.  I’ve heard stories of families who have had to say goodbye through FaceTime or over the phone.  I truly have nothing else to say about that. It’s beyond heartbreaking. 

Today I cried for family members who can’t be with their loved ones during their final hours.  I had the privilege of being with my mother-in-law as she was transitioning from this life to heaven and there was no place I would have rather been.  Holding her hand and comforting her during her last hours did my heart so much good. It brought closure. I can’t imagine thinking of her dying alone.  So many people are not able to have this closure and the peace that comes from comforting their dying loved one during their final moments of life.

Today I cried for the people who have lost friends or family members (and not just from coronavirus) and are unable to grieve among family members due to social distancing. When we lose someone dear to us, the only tiny bit of comfort we are often able to find is within our family and friends who are experiencing the same emotions.  Being with loved ones who are also grieving brings a small sense of peace. I know of people who are currently grieving alone. Wives who have lost husbands, parents who have lost children, daughters who have lost fathers, sisters who have lost brothers. Can you imagine the loneliness and despair they must feel?   

Today I cried for the people who are having to watch the funerals of their loved one that lives states away over FaceTime and other platforms because unnecessary travel is forbidden.  There are funerals that are taking place with only a handful of people because groups of 10 or more are forbidden.  So much comfort can be found during visitations/wakes and funerals as people file through expressing their condolences and sharing fond memories and kind words about your loved one.  I can think of no greater way to honor someone’s life. But, that just isn’t possible at this time.

Today I cried for small business owners.  These people have put their heart and soul into their businesses.  They’ve invested their life savings into their companies. This is their livelihood and now they have no clue what will happen.  They’ve had to close shop and just hope and pray they can survive. They have family members and employees depending on them, but their hands are tied.   

Today I cried for the people who have lost their jobs or who will lose their jobs.  I have heard people continuously say they have been calling to apply for unemployment benefits for weeks, but they can’t get through because the Department of Labor’s system is overloaded.  I know we have a long road ahead of us and it’s going to take our economy a very long time to recover from this.  

Once my tears were dry, I began processing what had just happened.  “I really do trust you, God. Please don’t mistake my tears as mistrust.”  He gently reminded me of when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. He had received word that his good friend Lazarus was sick and had died.  So, Jesus, along with his disciples, headed to Judea so that He could heal Lazarus and raise him back up. As He was getting closer to the tomb, Mary, the sister of Lazarus, ran out to meet Him.  She was crying, no doubt sobbing, as she fell at the feet of Jesus. When He saw Mary and the Jews that were with her crying, “he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled,” (John 11:33). Jesus then began to weep himself.  But why? He knew He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead. He cried because He felt sorrow for His friends. He experienced that deep distress caused by loss and misfortune. Even though He knew the outcome, He was moved deeply in His spirit and felt troubled.  As this story came to mind, I went to www.biblehub.com and looked at a commentary to find out more about why Jesus cried.  Barnes Notes on the Bible says this, “It is right, it is natural, it is indispensable for the Christian to sympathize with others in their afflictions. Romans 12:15; “rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”  

If you are feeling sorrow during this time in our world’s history, do not feel bad about shedding tears.  Jesus himself did as He saw the grief that His friends were experiencing. On March 23, Max Lucado posted a simple sentence on his Facebook page.  It said this, “Grant yourself a good meltdown.” It’s ok to cry. It’s ok to feel sorrow. It does not show a lack of faith. It shows compassion, just as Jesus had.   Don’t Wait to let your emotions out. It’s normal. It’s biblical. It’s healing.

An Open Letter to COVID-19 Homeschool Parents From a Seasoned Homeschool Mom

March 18, 2020 /

I’ve gotten some texts today from friends telling me that after homeschooling their children for 2 days, they think I’m amazing and don’t know how I’ve homeschooled my children for the last 16 years.  While the compliments are kind, let me assure you that YOU are the ones that are amazing. I’ll tell you why.

1.  As a homeschool mom, I have all summer and every weekend to look over my children’s work for the year.  I can review, look over lessons, do my research, and plan for the year in a way that works for our family.  You, on the other hand, found out on Sunday that your children’s school was closed and on Monday morning your schooling at home began.  You had no time to plan and prepare.

2.  In a normal homeschool scenario, your child would have tons of classes to pick from at various places such as museums, churches, the zoo, and learning centers.  They could take classes in photography, engineering, writing, or science courses. They could play sports and take cooking, music, and art classes. They could go on field trips, play dates, and join chess clubs.  The sky’s the limit for these guys and we typically have to set a limit on outside activities or we’d never be home. But, you’ve been thrown into a situation where you are pretty much quarantined to your house, so you have no outlet during the day or in the evenings. You can’t take your kids to their usual dance classes or sports practices.  You. Are. Home. Period.

3.  We homeschool moms have had all year to learn along with our kids.  We’ve worked through all of the steps needed to solve that math problem and we know exactly how their curriculum is laid out.  You have not had that advantage. You are jumping into the middle of the school year and have missed the 6 ½ months leading up to this.  So, you’re scrambling to figure everything out.

4.  When I order my curriculum in the summer, I have the advantage of ordering a teacher’s edition if I so desire.  This way, I can teach the lesson (or at least refer to the lesson) and actually have the answers once my kids are finished with their work.  You, on the other hand, do not have that. You probably feel as if you’ve been thrown to the wolves as you try to remember what a prepositional phrase or gerund is.

5.  While homeschooling can be stressful, on any normal day, it’s nothing compared to the level of stress you are all facing.  Currently, our country is in a state that has everyone feeling like their life is upside down. You are dealing with your own emotions along with your children’s and that’s a lot to handle.

In other words, your circumstances are way different than mine.  You are at a serious disadvantage. So, if you’ve made it the last 2 days, you’re amazing!  I’ve seen several Facebook posts from moms who are scrambling to figure all of this out. Let me pass on a few tips that may help.

  1.  I’ve heard several of you say that your kids want to stick to their normal school schedule and get upset if a subject doesn’t take as long as it does at school.  Your homeschool day should not take as long as a regular school day because there are several things you are cutting out. You don’t have to wait for the entire class to line up, bathroom breaks, water breaks, changing classes, and so on.  Most importantly, they are no longer having to wait for an entire class of students to finish work. Once your child is finished and you know they understand, you can move on.  
  2. Our first few weeks of school are always rough.  It takes us a while to get into a groove and figure out exactly how our day should go.  If you or your child have been super emotional or frustrated, that’s totally normal. Give yourself a few weeks to figure things out and to find the schedule that works the best for you.  And if you lose your cool, apologize and move on. We all lash out at times.
  3. Make sure you are taking care of yourself.  Get up a little early for some quiet time before the busyness of the day begins.  Go for a run or walk after school. Put an educational show on for the kids and rest on the couch.  Get everyone in bed on time so you can get a halfway decent night of sleep (if there is such a thing for parents).  
  4. Take breaks!!!  Don’t try to sit for hours on end as you work your way through each child’s work.  You’ll burn out quickly. A ten-minute break can do everyone some good.
  5.  Your doubts are normal.  Am I covering everything with my children that I need to?  Do they fully understand? Are they going to get behind? How will they transition back into school?  All you can do is your best! Pray for strength and don’t put too much pressure on yourself.
  6. Help your child work through their emotions.  This is probably your most important role right now.  I’ve loved having my children at home during emotional times in life such as the loss of grandparents.  I can stop what we’re doing and answer questions or console them as they work through their feelings. I know that most teachers are AMAZING at helping their students work through tough times in life.  But, no one knows your child like you. And can you imagine trying to help 20 students work through the emotions that they’re feeling right now? I’ve definitely seen a difference in some of my kids in the last few days.  Children often don’t know how to verbalize their feelings, so they may act out in weird ways. Your children are right where they need to be in the place they feel the safest and that’s right with you.
  7. I was asked today how I get anything else done during the day.  My answer? I don’t. I may get a few dishes in the dishwasher or one load of laundry put in the washing machine, but that’s about it.  My laundry piles up, the bathroom is never spotless, and my countertops are cluttered. I’ve learned to let some stuff go and give chores to my kids so my head stays above water.  They come first right now. In a few years, they will be gone and I’ll have plenty of time to clean.

As you navigate the next several weeks, just know that you have been assigned a huge undertaking.  Don’t judge homeschooling based on this experience. You have it much harder than those of us who homeschool on a regular basis.  I feel for you because our school days are pretty normal right now. Yours are not. Ask God for strength. He will give you exactly what you need.  And whatever you do, DON’T WAIT!!!

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