Isolated

Admit it. Our fears have gotten the best of us. We feel alone. We miss our friends. We miss our social life. We miss being able to just go as we please. We feel imprisoned. We feel like we’re being kept against our will even if it’s for our own good. We feel isolated. Zoom meetings no longer feel like outside connection. They are a reminder of what life used to be like before this pandemic. Guess what? It’s okay. You’re not alone even if you feel that way. There are resources out there that can help. Do something that makes you happy. Take a drive. Have a social distancing picnic. Most importantly, get out of your head.

Happy Place

You’ve got to find your happy place. I know it’s hard to find a happy place under quarantine. I’m so used to finding my happy place in public venues that I had to rethink “me” time. I have learned to appreciate silence and showers. I enjoy cupcakes and extra icing. I have a new appreciation for bluetooth speakers and IG live. These are the things that make me happy. Find your peace. Rediscover your joy. Find your happy place.

Sabbath

It’s still Good Friday. He still died for our sins. He still rose on the third day. The world may still be distracted by this pandemic, but by his stripes we are still healed. . We may not fill the churches to capacity. We may not be able to worship collectively. But, It’s still the Sabbath!

Garden

“Remember that children, marriages, and flower gardens reflect the kind of care they get”.- H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Despite my allergies, I loved helping my grandfather in his garden. He had such patience to dig, plant, and water. I wanted to see the results of our efforts- immediately, but that’s not how his garden worked. I wanted to eat the fruits of our labor, and I did- just not at that moment. Patience. I enjoyed all the fresh vegetables he planted each season. It took time. I loved watching them grow. I’m sure that’s how God looks at us. He watches us grow. He waters us. He prunes us and picks us. He cultivates our talents and gifts as we grow. We bloom in our own time. We are all a part of God’s garden.

Friendly

Proverbs 18:24 KJV A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Most people would define friendly as being kind or helpful. For the most part, I think we are able to be friendly towards our friends because it's a beneficial relationship, but what about when it's not. What about when it's inconvenient? What about when we are offended or when we disagree? What about when we're tired or had a bad day? Are we still friendly? Are we still kind? Are we still helpful? Let's try to be like the friend that sticks closer than a brother. Let's try to be more like God. Let's try to be friendly.

Ready or Not

I love playing Hide and Seek. I always have the best hiding spots, and I’m very good at finding people in unconventional places. Its funny how in my adult life, I still find myself hiding and seeking. I am always seeking to better myself and those around me, yet under the guise of being a wife and mother I tend to lose myself in my “to do” list. My dreams and goals are hidden under piles of laundry and doctor visits. I have to make a conscious effort to be me. I have to be deliberate in taking “me” time. Ready or Not here I come. It’s a declaration. It’s motivation. It’s a reminder that I am still in there. I still have wants and desires that I want to pursue. Ready or Not here I come. It’s a war cry. I am going to show up and be all that God has called me to be. Ready or Not here I come. I am telling my obstacles and distractions that I’m back in the game. Don’t believe me just watch!