Be a Primary Source
I taught English and Social Studies for many years. As students would read about the Roman Empire, the Greeks, and finish the year with World War Two, I would ask many of my classes to think about their lives and what part of the world they were living in would make it to the history books for other children to read about one day. Up until 9-11, I only had the breaking down of the Berlin Wall that I thought was print worthy. After 9-11 I thought I was finished. Evidently, I wasn't.
These past few weeks have been unlike anything our generation has ever seen. I knew things got real when TJ Maxx and the mall shut down. As we sat by the fire outside last night, I mentioned to the children they needed to be a primary source. In English, we like to use primary sources because they are not someone else's thoughts of what someone thinks... they are real and the frontlines of a news event. As I attempt to give my enlightenment of this entire mess, I pray you will find a little peace and comfort in all this and relax, settle down, and enjoy the time at home.
For Christmas this year I got a Christian planner that I love! It has a monthly calendar at the beginning of each month, a weekly calendar placed in between the months, and a page for sermon notes each week at church. My routine has been to fill in the monthly calendar in order to know things going on at work, at home, and in my life. I wait until Sunday morning to fill in the weekly calendar. I plan what meals I need, what I need at the grocery store for the week, and what I need to be prepared for during the week. The verse in the top right of the weekly calendar is always my verse for the week. I write it each morning to start my devotion. I'm trying to learn scripture this year without having to refer back to my Bible.
Today started a new week, and this week's verse I will write each morning is Colossians 3:15. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
You see, I believe that God knew this day, this time, this event was going to be here... and I believe that He knew I would need this verse this morning. I'm in awe (and then again I know He knows and it was His plan), that this verse is what I write each morning this week as I have almost nothing on my calendar. I need peace and I need to be thankful. He tells me in this verse that is it.
I believe that one day (okay English students who may be using this as a primary source) we will look back and say remember when... and I will add to this time the good of what comes with being "stuck" home with a 20 year old, a 16 year old, and a husband who can't sit still.
I already see the blessings... life has slowed down so much that I have stopped to smell the roses. Actually, in my front yard are tulips. Sure, I planted them, I know it's time for them to bloom, but I have never enjoyed them more than this year. Yesterday as KB and I were headed to go out on a walk, she remarked how the day before they were shut and now they are opened and beautiful. I told her God did that... we saw those flowers yesterday and the day before... one day closed, shut, not showing anything... and the next... a beautiful reminder that God takes things and makes them bloom and give us joy in our hearts. I'm almost positive this would have gone unnoticed if we hadn't been on slow-paced movement yesterday.
KB and I went on two walks yesterday. One in the morning and one in the afternoon. As we passed golfers and neighbors, we kept our distance, but things were different. We smiled and spoke, we asked how they were, and I noticed a desire to be more friendly. We are all in this together, and we really don't know how to respond. I remember when 9-11 happened, I called Granny to ask her if she was this scared when WWII happened. She said it was different because it wasn't on the soil of the 48 contiguous states... it wasn't on the home front. As I think back to that conversation, I didn't hear fear in her voice. I heard reassurance we would get through it stronger than we were. I saw that happen with my own eyes. I hope I can relay the same tone with my own children when they ask questions.
I'm not allowing myself to go into the what ifs. I think it will be a few months of stress, a few months of slowing down, a few months of not really knowing what we are going to do the next day.
As we are holed up at home and trying to stay busy, I'm extra thankful for Diet Coke, no schedule, and enough food to keep us satisfied. I've seen my children study, do things they normally wouldn't do (like clean out the garage), and catch up on sleep their tired bodies needed. Just as the Bible verse says, we need to have peace and to be thankful. Each time I want to start thinking ahead about the what ifs... I have to divert my attention to something else!
The McKinney household is definitely different... we are missing a golf season, a child off at college, and many events we were looking forward to this year. I'm sure I could have worry and anxiety take over during this time, but I am choosing instead to turn to my Bible and spend a little extra time there. I am also finding a little therapy in writing. I want to remember these days as fun and enjoyable while being stuck at home.
Finally, I'm not sure about anyone else, but I will never take for granted the freedom to get in my car and go to a store. I will never take for granted the angry parents who call and hate the way we do things at school. I will never take for granted the opportunity to go to church on Sunday mornings... it won't ever be "I have to go to church"... it will be "I get to go to church". I'm doing virtual church today. And I'm thankful I enjoyed a little extra time reading my Bible... It was about Esther... Mordecai urges her to step forward to do what she can to save the Jews... in chapter 4 verse 14 he says "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for SUCH A TIME AS THIS." This is our time... to follow God's Word and do what He says... be at peace and give thanks.
Amen
