Tag: Covid19

Why This Planner Loves Spur of the Moment Gatherings

July 6, 2020 /

Pouring over cookbooks makes my little hostess heart sing. I love making to-do lists a month in advance of a dinner party, and brainstorming creative touches around a theme that may make my guests feel special.

But I’ve discovered that last minute “come-on-over’s” can be as good or better than our thoughtfully planned out “events”. I use that word on purpose because well-intentioned plans can tempt us to create events rather than times of welcome, care and connection.

Here are some of the benefits of spontaneous “come-on-over’s“:

  1. No pressure on you, no high expectations. People know you’re flying by the seat of your pants. Present over perfect is the mantra of the day. This is a great time to use all your leftover holiday paper plates and napkins!

2. Everyone pitches in. I’m including a go-to recipe that uses ingredients you’re likely to have on hand (another plus during Covid), but last-minute gatherings are potlucks of necessity. No one is going to care if the meal is a mix of Mexican tacos, middle eastern hummus and Chinese chicken salad. Think “Stone Soup” – just bring what you have to add to the mix. Also, it doesn’t have to be a meal – drinks and chips are great!

3. You can count on the weather. We do most of our entertaining outside in the summer anyway, but this is especially key during this time of Covid. Last minute invites mean you basically know the forecast and know you’ll be able to be outside. When we have planned something outdoors far in advance, we have to be ready with Plan A (outside) and a Plan B (outside under tent), or Plan C (move inside – not really an option in our small house during Covid).

So, text a couple friends and scour your pantry. If you want some freezer meals to keep on hand, check out Thriving Home Blog. I served some of their Ham and Cheese sliders the other night. And here’s another recipe you might have ingredients for.

BLT – L Dip

  • 1 cup mayonnaise (Hellmann’s regular or light)
  • 1 cup sour cream (regular or light)
  • 3 oz bag of real bacon bits (or make your own)
  • 3-4 plum tomatoes, seeded and diced
  • Finely shredded cheddar cheese or diced red onion if you want!

Mix everything together and chill for an hour. If you want to be extra Covid conscious, you could spoon dip into individual shooter glasses and add a couple carrot and celery sticks for each person.

Here’s to sanctified spontaneity, when we seize the moment and marvel at God’s provision!

How Do You Make Decisions During a Time of Chaos?

March 30, 2020 /

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.

I know, I know…I see you rolling your eyes!

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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.

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So here’s what I did that might help you with other types of decisions:

  1. I started by making a list of pros and cons based on the facts that we knew.
  2. Then I made a list of questions – variables that might change, and if they did, would affect our decision.
  3. 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.

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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?

4 Things to do When You’re Out of Control

March 23, 2020 /

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!

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