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At a time like this, it is hard to see things in a normal way. It is hard to act normal, feel normal, establish a normal routine…

It is tempting at times to panic and complain about our circumstances. But in reality there are many blessings to be found and opportunities to take advantage of during this unprecedented time in our lives. Our family is taking our opportunity in the form of concentrating on family togetherness, learning to control our pace of life (instead of letting life control our pace for once!), and reaching out to our loved ones to tell them how much they are missed and how much they mean to us.

So often we find ourselves wishing and praying to God for certain things…. things like more family time, less pressure to work or get things done, for things to slow down, or an opportunity to intentionally reset ourselves. We have prayed for all these things in our family and have found this unique season to be a surprising blessing. It has brought us closer together, made us work through issues differently, made us reach out to loved ones that we miss, grown our relationships in our community, and has made us even more grateful for the things that we can still do- and are looking forward to doing again. All of this is happening in the midst of this hard time of uncertainty.

Now this is not because we have things all figured out or because we are home-bodies, but because this has also been a unique opportunity of reflection for us. This pandemic has given us the time to reflect not only on our lives but on our Lord and His character and His goodness even when things around us are fluctuating day by day. We look to His Word to know Him, be reminded of who He is, and find the comfort He offers through scripture regardless of our circumstances:

God is constant

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. ~Hebrews 13:8

God is good

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. ~James 1:17  

God is in control

For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. ~Colossians 1:16-17

We are His

Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. All who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as He is pure. ~1 John 3:2-3

We can be thankful

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ~1Thessalonians 5:18

We will benefit

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose. ~Romans 8:28

Our prayer is this: however this season of life finds you- flourishing or struggling, steady or wavering –that you will be reminded that it is just a season. And in this season we can express gratitude for so many things: generosity, creativity, sacrifice, resourcefulness, endurance, leadership… even the blessing of a new outlook on life once things regain normality. We pray that you likewise are finding that learning to be content with less is one of the keys to a happy life.

“We will not begin to live more fully until we have the courage to do and see and taste and experience much less than usual.”
—Thomas Merton, Trappist monk and religion scholar

The church body is an incredible picture of Christ.  We often hear the phrase the church is the “hands & feet of Christ” but what part do each of us play in connecting to the body?  Each one of us has something unique to offer, let’s come together to share what we can bring to the table!

Here are some practical and spiritual things we’ve done to stay connected with friends, family, neighbors and our church family since the quarantine started:

• Take a deep breath, embrace the change & allow yourself to feel. For many people change is scary, daunting and tiring because it presents so many unknowns.  For others, change is great and presents opportunities to try new things (face masks, gloves, social distancing etc.) and stirs a sense of exploration.
• Taking as many times as necessary to simply pause & reflect on the process of where we were to where we are now is healthy and allows people to process at their own pace. Often, I find myself writing things down as a way to acknowledge the change as well to mark its passing.  It helps me remember that life on this side of heaven is a constant process of sanctification & that is NOT something new or unknown. It’s comforting as things continue to change.
  

"It helps me remember that life

on this side of heaven is a constant process

of sanctification & that is NOT something new

or unknown."

• When I am feeling lonely and needing some extrovert time/engagement, I find it refreshing to pick up the phone & call the person that I was thinking about.  How often do we say “I was just thinking about you yesterday” and not do anything with those thoughts?  In times where physical contact is hard, it’s imperative that we are intentional about taking the initiative and acting on that initiative.  In other words, when someone comes to mind, pick up the phone & call them.  If not right away, make a physical note to remind yourself to do it later.  Set a reminder on your phone to remind yourself.  This is a way to train your mind and habits to put action behind the thoughts.  Not only will it bless you, but it’ll surely bless the person you are talking to.  It also is a way to hear prayer requests and to build a closer bond by praying for one another.

"Communing with the Lord is a precious time

and brings TONS of comfort to my soul

when I’m struggling with the loneliness."

• I dedicate time to pray for people that the Lord brings to mind.  This helps me connect by connecting with the Lord through prayer.  Often I know what to pray for, but I don’t have updated prayer request info. The cool thing is that God fills in those gaps so we can just take our prayers to him and He knows the missing details. Communing with the Lord is a precious time and brings TONS of comfort to my soul when I’m struggling with the loneliness.
• We’ve done some drive-by’s for people that we know that just need to physically see other people.  Honk your horn and make a sign that says praying for you as you slowly drive by.  Often, that’s a pick-me-up for home-bound people that can’t get out or connect easily.

What about you? How have you tried to stay connected, engaged, in prayer and fellowship with your family, neighbors and brothers and sisters in Christ?

Do you remember the first Sunday of being quarantined when we didn’t have in-person service, but instead watched the worship and sermon live on Facebook?

I do.

I cried.

I didn’t imagine for a moment that this new kind of service (at least new to us) would ever be normal for our church, for our family, for our community; even temporarily. Maybe you felt the same way.

The truth is, the church has loved us, and so many others, through some hard seasons. Individually and collectively, the body of the church has been Jesus’ hands and feet to our family both in and out of church. They’ve prayed for, encouraged, and led us back to the truth again and again. Being away from that is painfully hard. Which is where I landed for a few crummy, lonely, “me-focused” days last week. Then I thought, maybe we aren’t as far away as I think we are?

As I talked with a friend earlier this week it occurred to me that virtually EVERYONE was feeling a new kind of loneliness (isn’t it great when you realize you aren’t the only one?) but not everyone was dealing with that experience in the same way.

In Galatians 6:2 it says, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Which made me realize that I’ve thought about this quarantine, and my reaction to it, all wrong. While I’ve been busy thinking that I can’t physically come alongside my church family and friends right now, I’ve missed that I certainly lessen their burdens by being available, by finding ways to reach out and encourage; in short, by loving like Jesus does.

Then I had to figure out where to start! So, I reached out to a few friends who graciously shared some practical ways they have stayed in fellowship with friends, family and neighbors even when they couldn’t fellowship in person.

• My kids and I have painted rocks and hid them in neighbors’ yards to let them find later.
• We drove by homes of our small group members and texted them to come outside and we’d chat for a few minutes from a distance just to say hi.
• One thing a couple friends and I have done is make each other baskets of random goodies from around our houses (like books, snacks, tea, etc.) and drop it off at each other’s doorstep.
• For my daughter’s birthday our small group from church drove by as a parade with birthday signs and stopped to sing Happy Birthday.
• I’ve done zoom or Skype calls with friends!
• We use the “Marco Polo” app. It lets you record videos and send them to your friends within the app.  You can view them and respond anytime.  It’s nice to see faces and record funny messages, knowing you’ll make someone smile.
• We’ve sent “just because” cards and gifts.  It is so exciting and fulfilling to put something in the mail that we know will surprise someone we love.

• “Words With Friends” is an app we’ve tried. It’s like a never-ending scrabble game you can play with anyone, no matter where they are!
• Blocking out a half hour to place an intentional phone call has connected us more with people in our family who we do not see very often anyway.  One benefit to the current situation is having the time to place and enjoy these calls!
• A friend, myself and our kids are meeting today for a "car picnic." We'll each make lunch, park next to each other and visit with windows rolled down. The thought of another Zoom visit was just too depressing.
• A young friend of ours is turning 10 soon. His mom sent out invitations to drive by their home at the appointed time. We'll wave and holler and generally make a big to-do. It'll be a birthday parade!
• We walk in our neighborhood each day and make a point to chat (from a safe distance) with the people who might only get a nod during busier times.
• We've shared MCC's live services with my sister and brother-in-law who live out of state and don't have a church home. It feels as though we're attending church together for the first time! The resulting conversations about eternal matters remind us that is quarantine will pass and that this time can be used for His glory.
• MCC has been sending out daily prayer points, praying through those has kept my eyes open to the needs around us and reminded me that I am not alone.
• When a friend dropped something off at our house the other day, I stood outside her car and we talked through the car window for 30 minutes or so. I was surprised at how much better I felt after that drive-by visit!
• I'm part of a group text and one of us asks a general question - like favorite book or dessert or restaurant - and we all answer. We also use the text for prayer requests and funny memes, whatever. It's a way to get to know each other better and think about something else.

What amazing, beautiful responses to a difficult situation! Praise God for friends, family, and neighbors that not only stay connected during a crisis like this, but purposefully decide to strengthen their relationship through it! Check back tomorrow for more ideas on how to stay connected and to remain in fellowship during a time when staying apart almost seems easier.

Now it's your turn to share! What have you done to stay fellowship with your friends, family and neighbors these past few weeks!

“Be still, and know that I am God.” – Psalms 46:10

When I was first asked about writing on my experience with the pandemic, I immediately knew I had a story to tell. A sense of awakening in two very different ways.

The first awakening for me had to do with death. As the media coverage of the pandemic grew, it became apparent that people were afraid. Not just those that were on the news but people at work and throughout our community. There was a real fear of the virus. Although I don’t intend to downplay the seriousness of the virus, it was and is not something I personally fear. As someone nearing 60, I have experienced death throughout my entire life, whether it be friends, co workers, grandparents and most recently my precious dad. The deaths had occurred from a wide variety of illnesses and accidents, from heart attacks, cancer, car wrecks or just old age. Death, no matter the cause, is a fact of life.

I recently stumbled across a quote from RR Reno (a catholic theologian who I don’t follow, but just happened upon this quote).

“Satan rules a kingdom in which the ultimate power of death is announced morning, noon and night. But Satan cannot rule directly. God alone has the power of life and death, and thus Satan can only rule indirectly. He must rely on our fear of death”

This quote caused me to think deeply about my thoughts on death and why there seemed to be so much fear in our society. I have always said none of us are getting out of this place alive and death is just the beginning for those of us who place our trust in Christ. The Apostle Paul says to live is Christ and to die is gain, for Paul knew he would be in the presence of his Savior. Death really means nothing if we know eternity is waiting.

The challenge in my thinking came from the fear I saw in others and to realize the problem with that fear, is that perhaps they did not have my hope. No pride in that statement, but a revelation that as Christians we obviously have a lot of work to do in our own back yard. This is our time to help others understand.

The second awakening for me, comes with the peace and comfort I am finding in the great slow down. I am saddened by the lives that have been lost and as a financial person, am greatly troubled by the economic destruction. They are both tragic in their own way. However, the past four weeks of working from home, have been some of the richest and happiest of my entire life. There is no sad story here. Each day has given me back almost 2 hours of my life. No traffic, no more 30 mile commute, and no sitting at an uncomfortable desk. This time has allowed me to spend more time reading God’s word, in prayer, out in the mountains on trails and visiting with family. Our home in the mountains surrounded by God’s creation, is a revelation compared to working at my office in town. As I visit my favorite trailheads now, I often find numerous other cars in the parking lot. Prior to the pandemic, my car was often the only one at the trailhead. The roads around my neighborhood are now frequented by neighbors walking with their children or dogs. The pace of everyone around me has slowed down. I have spent quality time with my kids, my wife and my mom, presenting rich blessings in my life and those around me.

Ric Rodeheaver, an elder at Christ Community Church in Laguna Hills, CA, put it this way. “Maybe it takes a global pandemic to make us realize we’ve made the Christian life more busy than it needs to be.”

Although I long for a sense of normal for those who have been impacted, either through sickness or loss of income, for many of us, this time has been one of reflection on the importance of a relationship with Christ and the quiet time that goes along with that. God isn’t keeping records of how busy we are, but I believe is overjoyed with our refocus on our relationship with him, and our refocus on values and priorities that glorify him. I am praying that this becomes my new normal.

Did you wake up in a funk on Easter Sunday?

I did.

I’m tired.

I’m tired of the grief and sadness and worry and uncertainty that a global pandemic has brought.  I’m tired of watching the case numbers and death toll rise.  I’m tired of seeing the empty New York streets and weary, war-torn medical professionals.  I’m tired of missing my family and friends.  I’m tired of ending each night in tears, thinking of those who are lying in hospital beds without their loved ones….and those whose loved ones never came home to their own beds.

I can’t pretend that Easter in Quarantine is a fun, meme-worthy event.  Sunday morning, I simply felt like a day that should look bright and hopeful was covered in a thick, heavy cloud.

Interestingly, God caught my attention through something very simple… an egg hunt.

My wonderful in-laws were kind enough to hide a few dozen eggs outdoors for the kids to run around and find.  I helped to hide a few, then watched as they came out to start looking.  My kids are pretty big…7, 9, and 12, but they still had an absolute blast.  While watching them run and squeal, I came to a conclusion: There’s something about finding things that have been hidden specifically for the purpose of being found that is thrilling.  The eggs were completely empty.  They boys simply enjoyed the thrill of the hunt.  We hid the eggs twice for them to find, then they hid the eggs for us adults.  I think they may have had even more fun watching us find the eggs they hid than they did hunting!  They enjoyed giving us hints along the way and cheered every time we spotted one.

While we hunted, I was reminded of a word of encouragement I received through Max Lucado’s Bible study entitled, Unshakable Hope.  In one chapter, Max quotes this verse:

“For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning.” - Psalm 30:5

Max encourages the reader to go hunting for joy…to look expectantly for it…even in the midst of difficulty and sorrow.

I had read this a few weeks ago and had been so encouraged by the idea of hunting of joy.  What happened?

I forgot I was on the hunt.  I sat down in the darkness and gave up looking.  All the while, God had hidden “eggs” of joy all around me:

• Two substitute teachers whose income suddenly evaporated were sustained until they could get government help by the wonderful people at MCC.
• A gospel conversation concerning God’s approval and acceptance was had because of a single mom’s tough situation and MCC’s willingness to give
• Several MCC families pulled together to help provide clothing, food, and personal items for a family in crisis through a connection with Barrett House.
• Anyone connected to an MCC member on Facebook is seeing daily encouragement from scripture through MCC’s Daily Devotionals.

This list could certainly go on.  None of these things would be happening if a global pandemic was not happening.

I won’t ignore the grief, fear, and loss this crisis is creating.  However, there is ample evidence that God has a good plan and good purposes to provide for people, draw them to Himself, and show Himself present.

There is joy to be found.  Let’s go out and hunt it down.