As I post this, we are adjusting to the reality that this crisis is going to stretch on much longer that we had thought – feeling more like global extended rehab than a quick trip to the Minute Clinic.
It has the potential to bring out the best in us, but also may reveal some issues in our relationships that we’ve been glossing over. My prayer continues to be that we won’t fill our time with just a different set of numbing distractions, but will come out on the other side of this kinder, humbler, stronger, more self-aware.
So, here are some resources that I pray won’t be distractions, but add value and joy to your physically distanced day!
Thanks to my sister-in-law, Susan for passing along this song so appropriate for this season.
I was fascinated by this photo essay called The Great Empty, showing famous places around the world and what they look like during this time of isolation. This emphasizes for me that we are all in this together – it is a global challenge that connects us all.
I love this storyabout a restaurant in California that is giving people the option of paying for catered meals to be delivered the departments of local hospitals as well as offering regular take out!
Also I’m encouraged by so many creative ways we’re finding to stay connected!
For our part, we’re decorating and driving in a birthday car parade tomorrow morning. Stay tuned for pictures on Instagram, and daily devotional thoughts on my Stories.
We’re also all retaining our ability to laugh with and at each other!
This season has been a great one to try new recipes since I have a captive guinea pig (John)! The other night I made this – super easy, few ingredients and yummy!
John and I sit in our study, a cold metal gray Minnesota sky letting barely any light squeeze in. We swivel our comfy chairs towards each other, both with expressions of love, concern, and regret written on our faces regarding a hard decision we have to make.
We had rented a condo in Florida for the month of April, but don’t know if it is wise to go.
Definitely a first world problem; not the life-and-death, or will-our-business-survive, or can-we-afford-our rent type!
This season has made us more acutely aware of the privilege of having choices and not feeling the desperation many feel.
As we pray and process this decision that would seem of little consequence to many, it strikes me that what guides us in this tiny thing, is relevant to many of the big decisions we face during this pandemic.
Daily we may be guided by the line many have quoted over the years, and most recently by Emily P. Freeman, “Do the next right thing.” but there are times when even that is unclear.
So here’s what I did that might help you with other types of decisions:
I started by making a list of pros and cons based on the facts that we knew.
Then I made a list of questions – variables that might change, and if they did, would affect our decision.
As a follower of Jesus this last thing was the most important. I asked: What does Scripture say about this? I wasn’t looking for a fear-driven decision, or the most fun, or comfortable decision, but the wisest and most pleasing to God.
Here are some verses that guided me:
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
james 1:5-6
This is not always my first instinct, and I’m also inclined to throw up a prayer and then not stop and be still before rushing forward in my own thinking.
This is a time when it’s important to be guided by facts and advice from experts, but we are bombarded with information that’s changing daily (and we have more time to read it too!) God is the ultimate source of all wisdom.
I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life…
deuteronomy 30:19-20
What does “choosing life” look like not just for me, but for my family and community and world?
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Philippians 2:3-4
There is a greater awareness in this season, that our decisions don’t just impact us, but may affect others, more vulnerable than we are.
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Romans 13:1
Romans 13 was pertinent because while we were praying about this, our governor issued a “shelter-in-place” order.
In the end, it still wasn’t totally clear to us. John leaned one way, and I leaned the other. We both truly wanted to adhere to Ephesians 5.
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Ephesians 5:21
There’s an additional element that influenced me that may seem odd since we can’t meet physically. I was motivated by the fact that my people are here in MN.
The community I’m closest to and want to serve in any way I can is here. Even if that just means waving from a distance to a mama and toddler, or participating in a birthday car parade, or leaving a wiped down plant on someone’s doorstep, it’s something.
So, we say, along with Peter, It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us…(Acts 15:28) to stay home. We will not be going to FL.
What are some hard decisions you’ve had to make? How have you been creative during this season?
The rhythm of our days looks very different in this season.
And yours, if you have littles, will look different than mine, or that of my missionary friends in Jordan, or my single friends in Hong Kong and New Zealand. But this crisis has knit us together across the globe, in ways we couldn’t imagine before.
I have not felt scared, but the other day, after a global prayer call was the first time I felt overwhelmed by the magnitude and implications of this pandemic for those outside my circle.
Then I got this note from our “adopted” son, Michael, who is a brand new doctor in Uganda. He writes, “We have very little to no personal protective equipment (ppe) such as N95 masks, goggles and gowns”, BUT then he goes on:
…some of us were manufactured for times like these. When the world needs us the most, our answer is always going to be “Here I am”
I and 5 other resident doctors have voluntarily been added to the COVID-19 treatment taskforce of the hospital. We have been fully trained on how to respond and remain safe throughout the management of a victim.
From the view of events, only God can come to our rescue. But is there a day or Moment when we asked for His kindness and He did not show up? NO!!
So I trust that even this time, the God we pray to and worship everyday will show up for us and save us.
May we be inspired by Michael, who is living out the truth of Romans 8!
…we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:37-39
I wrote on Instagram the other day that I’m convinced it’s not scientists that are going to come up with a vaccine for Covid_19, but desperate moms, stuck at home with their kids who have run out of creative ideas to keep everyone happy and engaged.
A few movies came to mind that might help with that (but are also great for adults)…
Spellbound – a documentary about 8 kids who are compete in the 1999 National Spelling Bee.
Akeelah and the Bee – fiction, about a young girl from south L.A. trying to make it to the National Spelling Bee.
Queen of Katwe– about a young girl from Uganda that discovers she has an amazing talent for chess and how it changes her life.
And if you want a fun comedy, check out The Trouble With Angels – about two students at a convent school who are very creative with their pranks.
This has been posted everywhere, but I could watch/listen to it indefinitely. In case you haven’t seen it yet, soak these words in.
I’ve been trying to share a little devotional thought in my Instagram stories each morning, and if you’d like to see past ones, I’m saving them on my story highlights under “Covid_19 Devos”.
What’s keeping you inspired, motivated, and encouraged these days? Share in the comments! (If you’re commenting for the first time, it won’t show up right away, but don’t worry, it will soon!)
I walked to my Starbucks the other day, feeling all sunshiny and full of hope for the one thing I could still count on in our time of chaos, and they are closed indefinitely. (Is God still on His throne??!!)
We were supposed to fly to Chicago last weekend to see my parents, but our flight was cancelled.
I haven’t bought toilet paper in a month and now there is none to be found. I heard a podcast the other day highlighting the different kinds of leaves to use if you run out of toilet paper!
A friend had a birthday this week and I couldn’t give her a hug.
Most of us are planners, amiright?
We plan to go to the gym while the kids are in school. We plan a vacation for Spring Break. We choose to meet friends for coffee, or play tennis, or watch the Master’s golf tournament on T.V.
We love doing what we want, when we want, with no interference.
During this season when nothing is going as we planned and all our illusions of control have been shattered, I think it’s important to pay attention to how we’re responding.
How is loss of control affecting you?
Do you notice little power struggles between you and family members becoming intensified?
Are everyday preferences a battle ground to exert control when so much has been taken away?
John likes complete darkness watching T.V. and low lighting all of the time. I like light, and when most of the other choices in my life have been taken away, this tiny little thing becomes more important.
I realize subconsciously I’m thinking, “I MAY NOT HAVE TOILET PAPER, BUT I WILL HAVE LIGHT DARNIT!”
What are some things we can do to assure that we’ll come out the other side of this better human beings than we were before?
1.Pay attention to what triggers you and be curious. Why is this bugging me? How important is it?
2.Get creative about the choices you DO have! Find ways to chose connection, service, and fun! Maggie and Austin did a virtual Happy Hour and Bingo night with friends. Folks with margin are reading books on video to give parents with restless kids a break.
3.Create a breath prayer for those times when you feel triggered by “out of control” feelings. All you do to create a breath prayer is choose a name for God that is important to you in this season. Breathe it in. Then breathe out a phrase that sums up what you need.
Lately mine has been: “Prince of Peace, settle me down.”
4.Gain perspective by reflecting on all the ways God has been faithful in the past – Guidance? Provision? Course correction? Say a prayer of praise. Look at Psalm 77 for an encouraging model of honesty and choice.
What’s been helpful to you during this time of change, loss, and uncertainty?
I’ve been posting very brief devotional thoughts on my Instagram Stories, and continuing to try to bring joy, encouragement and inspiration on my feed. I’d love to hear from you there!
Are these crazy times, or what? How are you doing figuring out your new normal? Getting creative?
Do you have a bucket list? Been sticking to a schedule? Discovering some good books? I’d love to hear your ideas!
I’ve been posting about 2 minutes of devotional thoughts on my Instagram Stories each morning, and sharing some ideas of what we’re doing on my feed. I’d truly love to hear from you!
Here are a few resources and day-brighteners I’ve come across…
We missed all the movies that came out between November and March so we watched A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood the other night. If you haven’t seen it, it’s just what we need during these anxious times.
We may not have toilet paper, but John has made sure we have what’s really essential!
Everything’s a little “off” right now, right? Flights, schools, worship services…and any semblance of a schedule for my posts apparently!
I usually try to post once on Tuesday and then share some links around a theme on Friday called “Soul Food”, but I thought it might be helpful for me to share four “Don’ts” and two “Do’s” while many of you are at home.
1.Don’t be afraid.
My friend Sue said that Young Life leaders are being encouraged to pray Psalm 91 every day for 91 one days. Great idea, and it reminded me of a good podcast I listened to this week on Psalm 91 called “How Do We Pray in the Midst of Fear?” You might like it too!
Here’s some additional encouragement from Instagram.
Maybe play this in the background while you work in the kitchen, or play it over your kids.
2. Don’t despair if your kids’ school is closed.
How about giving your kids the fun job of coming up with motions for a Scripture verse? Beth Moore simplified 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 to Stay alert! Stand firm! Show courage! Be strong! Do love!
There are some churches with great online resources, both for family worship experiences, Bible activities, and ways to talk to your kids about the pandemic. Here are a few good ones:
One night when our kids were in grade school, when John got home I led all of us into our Master Bedroom walk-in closet with only a candle. We sat on the floor and talked about places where people can’t worship freely and may not even have Bibles. We tried to remember all the scripture we could from memory and then we prayed for the persecuted church.
After being away from my kitchen for almost 4 months, I’ve been loving making a bunch of meals to freeze or share with new mamas or those in need. I shared a super easy stew recipe on Instagram this week.
As a kid, Catholics were the bunch who got to leave school early on Wednesdays to go to “CCD”, and did a criss-cross applesauce motion with their hands when they prayed, and had to eat fish on Fridays. The whys and whereof’s were a total mystery to the rest of us – the uninitiated.
As young adult it seemed like the thing to do to go with the flow so I half-heartedly tried giving up something for lent, choosing something like desserts that would serve me and my waistline as well as Jesus. It was all about trying to be as disciplined as Jesus, appear holy, and lose some weight.
This author said it well:
“Our practice of Lent has been too easily turned into a competition, a scaling of the spiritual ladder, proudly (even if silently) chuckling at those who too easily give up on the gym or the wagon.”
EMMY R. KEGLER
Also, as a 7 on the Enneagram, I have a built in excuse for being bad at “Lenting”. I’m all about joy and run from grief and sacrifice like Wile E. Coyote being chased by Road Runner.
But this is exactly why it’s important for me to pay attention to the experiences, reflection, and practices of Lent.
One way spiritual formation happens is when we pay attention with Jesus, to what makes us uncomfortable, and respond.
I truly believe what’s meaningful for one person in preparing for Easter, may not be fruitful for another. This is why, when I saw Sarah Bessey’s 40 Simple Practices for Lent, I thought, brilliant! But…
Though I love this idea and many of Sarah’s suggestions, not all of them resonate with me, so I took the ones that were meaningful and substituted my own where I wanted.
I have found it really drawing me to Jesus so far, but only as I don’t view it as a checklist, but instead, suggestions for focused reflection.
And you know what?? You could do this too!
I linked to Sarah’s list, and I’ll put mine below (remember, I’m using a bunch of her ideas – noted with *). But you can make your own list too.
Or just choose one or two things from the list! No legalism here. It’s between you and God.
Also, whatever you decide, I’m not going in order, but choosing each day one that feels right.
Subscribe to a Lenten devotional or app (I’m doing the one from NCC )
Choose to fast from speaking negatively about anyone or complaining for the day. Reflect on this fast.
Pray for your enemies or those who have hurt you by name. Bless them as beloved children of God.*
Practice Sabbath. Worship. Power off. Do something that brings you joy.
Repent. Read Amos 5*
Look for light and beauty around you today. As you notice it, thank Jesus for the darkness, and ugly brutality He endured for you.
Choose the discipline of secret service today. Bless someone anonymously. Don’t tell anyone.
Write a prayer or blessing for your church staff. Drop it off with treats.
Speak words of forgiveness out loud to yourself for that thing you’ve been holding onto for too long.*
Light a candle and reflect on one word from Scripture for five minutes. Examples: mercy, forgiven, beloved.*
At dinner, pray for persecuted Christians around the world.
Plant a flower bulb. Take it to someone who needs hope in their darkness.
Imagine God looking at you with infinite love, and tenderness, kindness and mercy.*
Write out Matthew 11:28-30 and tape it to your mirror.*
Read Psalm 139 from an unfamiliar translation like The Passion.
Text someone who may feel lonely or unseen a word of encouragement.
Do a biblical word study of “wilderness”
Unfollow or mute 5 social media accounts that make you feel angry, afraid, or envious.*
Give away 40 compliments or words of affirmation to strangers and friends.
Write a thank you note to someone who has sacrificed for you.
Read Ted Loder’s “I Praise You for this Resurrection Madness” from Guerrillas of Grace
Do a prayer walk through your neighborhood.
Listen to “See a Victory”. What does it mean to you personally that the battle belongs to the Lord? How does it impact you that you know the end of the story?
Write a Psalm of Lament for injustice you or people you love have experienced.*
Tip someone 40% ( a sacrifice)
Say the breath prayer “Lord I can’t. You can.” as you picture those you’re praying for.
Read Psalm 51 in 3 different versions.*
Attend a Stations of the Cross service, or do a reflection on them (I’m using Remember Me, by Sharon Garlough Brown, but it is a sequel and won’t be as meaningful if you haven’t read Shades of Light first.)
Repeat the Jesus prayer throughout the day: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy on me, a sinner.” Consider using “beloved” in place of “sinner”.*
Take dinner to a busy family with little kids. (These moms in particular are in a season of sacrifice for their family)
Listen to Sara Groves’ song “We Wait”. Reflect on what it was like for the women around Jesus to wait through the Sabbath, doing nothing after He was crucified.
Donate 40 canned goods to a food shelf.*
Invite some friends over for dinner. Ask them to share a time when someone sacrificed for them.
Go sit in an empty sanctuary and pray for all that will go on in that space.
Choose a name for Jesus – Lamb of God, Prince of Peace, Bread of Life, Bridegroom… and look up Scripture to help you flesh out your understanding.
Use the practice of Lectio Divina (repeated reflective reading) with this verse: John 16:33.
What are you doing for Lent? Anything? Share what’s meaningful in the comments!
I’m over on Instagram if you want to come hang out! I’ll try to post some pictures of what this has looked like for me with the hashtag #whatlentlookslike.
I hear Katy’s voice above the hubbub of the cobblestone square in the old town of Geneva, Switzerland before I spot her. She’s using our “family finder” call and response from the swimming pool game we all played as kids.
It’s an unseasonably warm and sunny February day. Outdoor café tables are filled with happy coffee-drinkers, students studying, and kids on scooters play nearby.
“Polo!” I shout, spinning around searching the crowd for a beloved face.
We spot each other and run to hug with glee. Katy is in Geneva just for a day at the end of a business trip to Ethiopia, and John and I are finishing three months of serving an international church in Lucerne. Of course we’d take a train three hours to meet for lunch!
I’m not sure why this has stuck with me, prompting me to consider what God might want to show me.
I think of God calling out to Adam and Eve in the garden, asking exactly where they are getting their information. “Who told you that…?” (Implied, “Not me!”)
I think of God calling “Samuel” by name, and Samuel searching for where the voice is coming from. “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.”
I think of the Lord speaking to Elijah – not in the wind or earthquake or fire, but in the still small voice that requires him to be silent, lean close, and reflect on God’s gentle question: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
I think of the Father saying “This is my Son with whom I’m well pleased” before Jesus has done any of the razzle-dazzle healings and miracles we may be tempted to believe are required for this affirmation.
What an amazing gift that God spots us always, everywhere. Stuck in traffic, changing diapers, walking to class, meeting with colleagues…
He calls “Marco! I’m here!” and longs for us to run to Him.
We lean in and say, “Polo! I’m listening, Lord.”
He delights in talking with us, speaking words of love, correction, and guidance over us.
Which of these promises is most meaningful to you today?
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
psalm 32:8
The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’
Jeremiah 33:3
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
isaiah 43:1
Maybe there are other words from God that come to mind. Share in the comments!
“It probably takes many years of monastic practice to equal the spiritual growth generated by one sleepless night with a sick child.”
Douglas Abrams with Dalai Lama and Bishop Desmond Tutu, Book of Joy
So, recently someone recommended a lovely hike nearby to an area where the patron saint of Switzerland, Niklaus von Flue was born and lived in the 1400s.
He was a wealthy farmer who married and had 10 kids with his wife, but when the youngest was under a year old and the oldest was 20, he left them to become a hermit. According to history, he led an intense prayer life in his cloister (not far from his home), focusing on the suffering of Christ. Bless!
WHAT ABOUT HIS WIFE?? I can’t judge from my spot of privilege 500 years later, but I also can’t help inserting a little eye roll here and asking the question, “Who identified with the suffering of Jesus more – Nik, or his wife who had to deal with the daily stuff of dirty dishes, dirty diapers, and discipline with 10 kids to raise?”
We can elevate the dramatic, the “big” gestures of sacrifice for Jesus as the ones that really “count” in the kingdom and bring radical transformation of us as disciples, but really?
I’ve been thinking about “death by paper cuts” – the spiritual formation that can happen when we invite Jesus into the ordinary irritations of the everyday.
Come Holy Spirit, to the line at the grocery store.
May I find all the things to be grateful for even in the midst of disappointment today.
Come give me patience at the airport when my flight is cancelled.
Help me to see You, Jesus, in the joy of my kids at play.
Give me a willing heart to serve my husband in ways that are inconvenient.
Help me to be present to others as You are to me.
God desires to be recognizable in us in all we do.”
Beth Moore
What is the most ordinary place where you recognize God trying to form you more into His likeness?
As I write this it’s both rainy and sunny over the Reuss river that flows into Lake Lucerne. I keep checking to see if I can spot a rainbow like I did last week.
There are just a couple more weeks before we leave our ministry assignment here in Switzerland. We’re trying to soak up every bit of the experience that we can and reflect on what we’ve been learning.
There are things as silly as “They charge $ for tap water in restaurants so you may as well order wine.”
But we’ve also learned not to make assumptions based on our cultural bias, to question for better understanding, and to not under-estimate the stress on people living as ex-pats.
I’ve been asking this of others too: What are you learning in this season of life?
I’m listening to this on repeat thanks to my friend Molly. If you’re going through a tough time, this is for you.
Want a good book for this weekend? I recommend this!
The Giver of Stars by Jo Jo Moyes – totally different than her past novels, this is historical fiction about three women in the 1930’s who become know as the Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky – part of a program instituted by Eleanor Roosevelt. It is an inspiring story of strong women who prevail in the face of racism, sexism, hardship, and natural disaster
You know that Instagram is kinda my thing, right? Join me there! This first one was a day-brightener daughter, Maggie sent me. Love it!
Enjoy a little encouragement and inspiration from some of my favorite follows here:
Great insights and encouragement for those experiencing grief, or walking alongside others who are
If we were sitting down to coffee, and I asked you, “What are you learning in this season?” what would you answer? Share in comments and let’s encourage each other.
