In Need of Grace

"The message at my funeral is not my merit, but God's grace. Don't sing my praises, sing His." That was the instruction I received many times in the last year of Dad's life here on earth. One of the many songs he selected was written by Julia Johnston, probably around the beginning of the 20th century and it contains this message:

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, freely bestowed on all who believe.

You that are longing to see His face, Will you this moment His grace receive?

Grace! Grace! God's Grace. Grace that will pardon and cleanse within.

Grace! Grace! God's Grace. Grace that is greater than all our sin.

I can still hear his bass voice booming out those low notes as I played it for him. The irony for me was that he was such a good man that I never thought of him needing God's grace. He just seemed to be a natural at loving and giving and devotion to God and others. When I expressed that, he assured me that there are always inner struggles this side of heaven to keep us in need of God's mercy, grace and  forgiveness, we just don't always see our needs until the shadows fall.

The Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky is one of our favorite places. There are miles and miles of trails, over 100 natural arches, waterfalls and extraordinary views of God's creation. Once when Dana and I went for a long weekend, we were so anxious to get to the top of Natural Bridge, an arch carved out by a thousands of years of erosion, that we dropped our luggage in the lodge and took off to the top to watch the sunset. It was spectacular, as expected. As we headed back down the decent to the lodge, we realized our folly in our rush to the top. We hadn't brought a flashlight. It was no problem to trek through the forest in daylight; climb the inclines (that get exponentially steeper with each year that we age) or hug the high side of the trail to avoid the forty-plus foot drops on the cliff side of the trails. Neither of us gave a moments consideration to our need of light for the trip down after the sun set. We made it down, obviously, but only by the grace of God. 

In the same way, life may seem to be going great in our pursuit of a goal, but there will always be those times when darkness settles in and we are made aware of our constant need of God's grace. God is not surprised or dismayed by our need of Him. He created us to be dependent on Him. He knows the darkness that plagues us and is not ashamed of us. Hiding and wallowing in guilt is not beneficial to anyone. Reaching out and holding on to Him (like I held on to Dana's belt to find my way down the mountain) is what gets us to our destination.

Humble yourself and realize your need for a God of grace and mercy. Don't do life without it. You will be miserable and so will those around you. It was unfathomable love that transformed the Creator of the universe into a mortal so that He could bear our punishment and bestow His unending grace upon us. Why refuse that gift and drown in your sin and self-condemnation. Grab hold of His belt and let Him guide you down the mountain, away from the cliff and into the place of light.

Grace

Often we think of GRACE as something we receive, rather than give. Perhaps that explains the condition of our homes, our communities, our world. Truly, it is time to bring grace home.

Sometimes in our efforts to show mercy, grace and compassion to our spouse or kids, we administer the sort of treatment that, to us, feels like a warm, fluffy puppy, but to them it lands like a bare foot in that puppy's poo. To be grace-filled at home is to know the needs of your spouse so that you can bring what is needed and not assume they need what you might need. Since I don't know of anyone who is truly able to read minds, we are going to have to ask and listen. "What are you feeling right now?" "What is causing you this anxiety?" "Why do you think I am angry or disappointed with you?" "What do you need from me right now?" "I know what I intended, but what did you hear?" "I care, but I don't understand. Please help me to understand you better."

Assuming that you know what is happening inside your spouse's head will typically take you to a destination that wasn't in your sites. And that isn't the kind of surprise vacation you were looking for. If we don't ever take the time to ask and listen, perhaps we are being prideful and think that we have the answers or that their feelings are invalid. Pride kills, but humility helps us show the kind of grace that builds relationships. 

"God opposes the proud, but shows favor to the humble."  

James 4:6

How can you humbly show grace at home? The above verse is preceded with the question, "What causes fights and quarrels among you?" and answers the question with a universal truth: unmet desires. Our desires in marriage will not ever be met if we don't begin to ask questions, find our inner longings and express them to the one across the table from us. There is also a caution in this chapter not to get carried away by the advice of the world. In this day, it would be to post negative sentiments on social media or look elsewhere for needs to be met or simply walk away. None of those options contain the grace that we are called to extend. None of them show humility. Don't slander. Don't judge. Instead, "humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up."

God knows your heart and your motives. He can spot a fake all the way from heaven. Humility is required to extend grace to others and honor them above yourself. If you can't take the time to sit down and talk it through, how ever many times it takes, (and after nearly 44 years of marriage I can tell you that the need for this never ends, though it becomes less frequent) then you are missing out on a rich and blessed marriage (and after almost 44 years I can promise the blessings far outweigh the effort). You will never truly know the joy of marriage if you don't set your pride aside and extend the hand of humility and grace. 

Building A Better Tomorrow

As I write this, it is June 1, 2020. Many mayors and governors across the nation are calling for a Day of Lament. As a country we have much to grieve. Though it seems we have come so far from shackles and owning other humans, prejudice is still sickeningly strong. We have such a long way to go in showing love, honor and respect despite our differences. Not a single one of us has the right or authority to stand in judgement, disqualifying those who are unlike us from having the same freedom and rights that we have. It is an attitude of self-righteousness and pride that brings disgrace on any nation, prejudice to our minds and deep sorrow to the heart of God.

Sunday was Pentecost Sunday. It commemorates the day when the Spirit came to empower the Church to be mobilized to build God's kingdom on a foundation of love and grace and truth. God's people were given power to raise the dead and heal the sick and change the world. That power was not given to control others or to build an empire, but to build unity and resurrect love and grow compassion and humility.  The first century church had no room for prejudice and when they discovered it in their hearts, it had to be healed. We could certainly use some Holy Spirit power to rebuild our foundation and wipe out the prejudice that divides and destroys today.

If you know me, you won't be surprised to hear me say that I believe this rebuilding has to begin at home. If we are to raise humble children who are without prejudice, they must see it modeled. Many people have told me that they don't have room in their heart for prejudice, but they seem to have room for diminishing the value of their spouse's opinion or ideas. Every time you place your desires ahead of theirs, you are showing prejudice by indicating you are somehow more worthy or deserving to have things your way. If we show prejudice of any variety (making ourselves more important than others) we are teaching our kids that prejudice is okay. And they won't miss it. Kids are great observers. The only anecdote is to practice honoring others above yourself right before their eyes. Love selflessly. Give freely.  Listen as though their thoughts matter, because they do. Home-grown humility is a sure way to reverse prejudice. If we don't live it at home, what we demonstrate outside the home is counterfeit. 

Spend some time with your family talking about how to show value to others. Practice with siblings. Tell them when you have been shown value and love and how it makes you feel. Let them see that, as a family, you are building a better tomorrow by learning to love and honor each other above yourselves. That is a foundation that is secure. One way or the other, you are building their tomorrow. What will you build?

Brand New

"I am making everything new."

One year for my birthday I asked Dana to spend a Saturday with me "junk" shopping. I love to find old things and give them new purpose. But.... they must serve a purpose other than to collect dust. When there is a purpose for something old, it's like it has been given new life. A galvanized pail becomes a planter, an old pitcher hides my stash of chocolate chips, a cranberry glass cookie/candy jar stores the coffee. It doesn't become new, but it is given new purpose, which makes it like new. 

I believe that this desire that I have carries on into my calling, my vocation, my ministry. I love watching old scars begin to heal as bitterness and anger are washed away, leaving a fresh sheen of forgiveness; old arguments get recycled into new perspectives; marriages take on new life and passion returns. All of this because the One who made us never loses sight of the reason He did so. Each one of us has a purpose and sometimes we get on the wrong path and it takes us longer to get there, but the One who made all things good is in the business of making all things new again, 

It seems, during the quarantine and social isolation, many have taken to clearing out the clutter and making the house look newer and fresher and more efficiently run. Perhaps you might take a look inside at some attitudes and hurts that need to be eliminated. Your heart will be made fresh again, as relationships heal.Your life will be more meaningful as old habits are recycled into new patterns. A word of caution: Don't try this alone. There is plenty of your own "elbow grease" to invest but having a Godly mentor, life coach, or counselor on the other end of the saw sure does make it easier to cut through the issues. 

Most importantly, you need to know that in this transformation, the real and lasting change only lasts a moment at a time and requires that we hold tightly to the hand of the Great Repurposer. He is the only one that can truly make your marriage new; your relationships new; your habits new. He is the One who knows exactly why you are here, so why not give Him a chance to show you and direct your steps. 

The Obstacles In Our Path

Let me tell you a little something about obstacles. They slow you down. They get in the way of accomplishing what needs to be done. They flood over you some days until you can't catch your breath.  We may not have put them there, but perhaps we didn't pay attention to the sign warning us about them. We failed to follow the DETOUR designed to assist us. We may absolutely hate those obstacles, but we've become oblivious to the way they impede our progress. Sure, they slow us down, but eventually the pace seems acceptable. 

I have done a good bit of counseling in my years in ministry and have observed that marriages can get bogged down and eventually dissolve due to the obstacles that have become commonplace and are not addressed. So many times the DETOUR sign is ignored and they just keep moving toward the danger. Other times there is no detour, but there are so many pot holes that marriage can become like Indiana roads in the spring. We learn to maneuver around them, hoping someone fills them before we wreck a tire. Or worse. And then, one very dark night, we miss seeing it in time and ....

Whether you are responsible for the obstacle(s) to your success because of actions, attitudes, behaviors, habits, or an unwillingness to see things from a different perspective OR you are not responsible for them and circumstances beyond your control invited these obstacles onto your path, you have to decide if you are going to use them to grow or let them slow your development. If you choose the latter, you won't arrive at the destination you hoped for. In this manner, you have a responsibility for these obstacles even if you have nothing to do with their appearance. You can choose to continually allow them to trip you up or you can use them as stepping stones to get you to the other side.

Ignoring the obstacles in your relationships that keep it from honoring God will not end well. Though it will not likely be easy to address them, if you don't expand your mind to see from a different perspective, and begin to shift the obstacles out of your way, they will result in sinful attitudes and behaviors. Those behaviors will keep you from winning the race set out for you by the One that made you for that particular race. The man who wrote to the Hebrew Christ followers in the first century says it something like this...

Let us get rid of obstacles that get in our way 

and the sin that holds on to us so tightly, 

and let us run with determination

 the race that lies before us.

Hebrews 12:1

Maybe it isn't a marriage relationship that is filled with obstacles. Perhaps it is something else that is holding on so tightly to you that you have lost your determination and you are losing the race. Whatever it is, find the help that you need to get to the finish line. Be the winner you were made to be. Whether that is as an employer or employee; a husband or a wife; a student or a teacher; a mom or a dad - address the obstacles, do the next right thing, let go of sinful attitudes and actions and be determined to give it all you've got to receive the trophy.

Friends

Are you tired of isolation? Are your kids missing their friends to the point of losing their minds? Do you crave sitting down to dinner at a restaurant with your friends? I think I know the answer for most of you. Isolation is difficult, otherwise it wouldn't be used as punishment! As important as time alone is, friendships are a necessary part of life. We were not intended to do life alone. Friendships are essential.

Dana and I have been watching a reality show that seeks to recapture the spirit, the courage, the trials and the victories of the settlers of 1870 called Pioneer Quest. Two couples are given a plot of land, era appropriate tools and supplies to start their homestead in Canada much like couples would have 150 years ago. On the episode we watched last night, one of the foursome was struggling to be grateful for the help of her neighbor. She felt like she was somehow breaking the pioneer code  by accepting assistance. She wanted to experience all the feelings of a pioneer woman, including the loneliness and isolation they certainly endured when settling in a barren land in 1870. What she needed to remember is that our spirit needs the connection of others in order to grow and fully develop into who we were made to become. We were made for connection.
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Friends truly are one of the best gifts we can have, and finding the ones that will be with us through the valleys and on the mountaintops is a wonderful thing. Having that person be your spouse is priceless. If that isn't your situation, make it so! Decide to be that friend to your lifelong companion. Be there for them in the good times and the bad. Know their heart and their hurts and the motivations behind those actions that sometimes get under your skin. Become their most valuable natural resource and make growing old together a beautiful thing.

How blessed we are to have friends at home and outside of our homes. Hold on to them tightly and thank God for those people who cheer you on and who have the courage to confront you when you take steps in the wrong direction. Tell them they are valued and learn to be that kind of friend. If the message on the painting is the right one, feel free to print it and give it to that friend that has been with you on your journey. Let them know their value in your life.

I don't have a mailing address for God, who is with all of us on our journey, walking before us to guide our way in the dark times, behind us to push us to be our best, and beside us to laugh and cry and listen....so give it to the one who He has given you that has skin on. That is slightly imperfect and maybe somewhat annoying at times. And never forget what a gift this friend is.

Created for Dependence

What would happen if you stood a 2 month old infant on her feet and said to her, "You've got this!"? She will crash to the ground because she is unprepared to walk. Her body has not developed and her mind doesn't even understand your command to walk. She was never intended to walk as a 2 month old baby. And that is okay. Her parents don't love her less for crashing. They know she is totally dependent on others to help her get from place to place. Clearly, she can't handle this alone.

By the same token, you were never intended to manage your life on this planet alone. You were made for paradise and communion and harmony with and dependence upon your Creator. There will always be voices that tell us otherwise; that we don't need God; we don't need a crutch; we don't need the church; we don't need the Bible; we don't need prayer; we don't need to love everyone. "You've got this!" they cry and every single time we try to go it alone and do our own thing, there is a crash. We saw that happen with Adam and Eve and all throughout history and it is still happening today.

No matter how strong or smart or spiritual you get; no matter how disciplined you are; no matter how much you want to be a godly example... you just cannot do that on your own strength. You can't handle that alone. You need a Guide, a Master, a Savior, a Shepherd that you can lean on and learn from every single day. God isn't disappointed in you for that because He made you to need Him. It's right there in the Divine schematic. He made us and was pleased with the design. But without His power source, we are going to crash. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but it will happen eventually because we were created to run on His strength and wisdom, not our own.

Knowing this to be a truth of humankind, perhaps the greatest gift you can give your kids is to let them see you leaning into God's strength, admitting your weakness and your need for Him. Sure, you are their Super Hero... at least for the first half of childhood... and that feels pretty good. But, if they are to see that they were designed to depend on God, they have to see that modeled and know that all that makes you a hero comes from leaning on Jesus.

A Fresh Focus

 Have you ever noticed that when you are looking intently at something, people tend to stop and look, even though they don’t know what they are looking at? Yesterday there was a large bird perched on a high branch near our house and I had my binoculars out trying to decide if it was an eagle or osprey. Several passersby noted my focus and looked in the same direction. After looking at it for so long and trying to focus, my eyes got worn out and began to glaze over. I had to stop and focus on something else so they could rest.

Perhaps the COVID 19 pandemic has your focus. You can't quite understand or determine what is happening from one day to the next and your gaze into an unknown future has you and your family a little on edge. The kids might be trying to see what you are looking at and since you can’t even identify it, everyone becomes anxious. All the questions of what is to come of the economy, the health of our loved ones and more, can be a lot. Maybe it's time to stop staring at it and look at something we know.

In the first century, Paul was dealing with people who often stared at what they didn’t understand and became confused about how they were to follow the way of Jesus. There was a long heritage of wandering and a longer list of rules that identified them. They lived in a time of heinous religious persecution, fear and mandatory isolation for their protection. Like us, they just didn’t know what to do with all that was happening around them and it had their complete focus until their eyes began to glaze over. In 2 Corinthians 3 Paul states that the fog lifts when we turn to the Lord, receive His freedom from all the fear and "are transformed into His likeness."  That is why we don't lose heart (2 Corinthians 4).  Our focus has to move to the Spirit of God who is using everything we encounter to transform us into His likeness.

Wow! Can you imagine if we all just looked to God long enough for others to begin looking there, too? Soon everyone around us would be trying to see Him! Our families and friends and coworkers would feel less fear and isolation and instead experience the joy of transformation that God desires for us. Everything would change as the Spirit teaches us that there is purpose in the pain and, "Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 

Eternal glory sounds like looking at something farther away than the osprey, which will wear us out, but eternal glory isn’t just pearly gates and death isn’t the only way out of this mess. Eternity is yesterday, today and tomorrow and is given so we can live, love, grow, cry, laugh and enjoy one another while experiencing God. In this cycle of eternity, change is inevitable and an intentional part of God’s plan. High tide and low. Sunrise and sunset. Young to old. Change is really normal and not to be feared. It becomes light and momentary when we remember that it is here to transform us into His likeness and is part of God’s plan.

How can you see COVID 19 as light and momentary? Change what you are looking at. We fix our eyes NOT on what is seen, (sickness, quarantine, social isolation, unemployment, loneliness, fear, discouragement – or a large unidentified raptor, because all of that will wear us out), but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:17). The unseen things are the constant presence of God’s Spirit reshaping us; His love transforming our hearts and attitudes; His wisdom helping us discern next steps. His strength empowering us to navigate all of this. Transformation will come when we focus on Him.

So, where will you focus? The pandemic or the Potter? The disease or the Divine? The finances or the Friend? The economy or Eternal glory? Your loneliness or your LORD? One will make your eyes glaze over and the other will help you see God. And remember, others will be looking to see what captures your gaze. 

...Inwardly we are being renewed, day by day.

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory 

that far outweighs them all.

So we fix our eyes, not on what is seen but on what is unseen. 

For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 

1 Corinthians 4:16-17

Fresh Eyes On Cac Rona

If you are like me, you may have stopped listening to the news or reading the latest reports about COVID-19. It is all too difficult to assimilate into my mind. This is my first pandemic, so I have no real experience digesting all that I hear so after a bit, I just tune it out. HOWEVER... the report from these two professionals, both age 3.5, caught my attention. Here is what I learned from their report on the reliable news source, Facebook.

My nephew Lincoln, in this picture, is tired of quarantine and is firmly commanding, "Get out of here, Rona!" Reading between the lines, I understood clearly that the best path to take in this pandemic is to take authority. The sickness, isolation, loneliness, social distancing and all the struggles that come with the virus are real and we can't really control those things, but we would do well to take authority over the fear that comes with it. Of course, a healthy respect should keep us safer, but fear will leave us paralyzed. Here's how Lincoln finds ways to not be overwhelmed with fear. He laughs and plays with his amazing big brothers, who take the time for him. He leans into the parents who love him... and does the occasional Facebook post to entertain his Auntie.

My little friend, Zella, in this post is telling her mom,  "Cacrona is a human and if we go to his house he will tell us that it is okay to have our friends come over and play." Although her intel is questionable, she is spot on with her strong desire to make sure that life goes on, even if not as she is hoping. Her mother is quick to respond and tell her that Corona is a virus and not a person. I immediately considered how easy it is to see this pandemic as having authority over us telling us what we can and cannot do, but Zella's mom is correct. It is just a virus and we still get to make the decision on how we are to live. Of course there are always limitation with any sickness. But we still determine our reactions and behaviors. Since pandemics occur every 100 years or so, this is likely our only opportunity to experience one. We must not allow it to take control of all things fun, but use it to create all sorts of new fun. That's what happens at Zella's house. Dance parties, room-sized forts, movies and gymnastics with her siblings. Of course she misses her friends, but she has found ways to conquer that pain and laugh her way through it all.

Don't waste this once in a lifetime pandemic by giving it authority over your thoughts. Don't fear it as an uninvited intruder taking away your freedom, your laughter and your fun. You can be sad or mad or filled with questions, but don't let negative feelings find a lot to build their house upon. Let them come and let them go, but give them no authority over your life. Find the good every day. This is the opportunity of a lifetime to see the things we haven't, do the things we couldn't and hear the things we wouldn't have in our pre-pandemic lives.

Hold fast to the truth that no event can ever change.... God loves you and is always with you. Rona nor Cacrona have any authority over that! So live, love and laugh your way through it when you can... and when you can't, find an adorable child to lift your spirits!

"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, 

for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning;

 great is Your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

What Are You Looking For?

Can you even imagine the horror of watching a loved one having nails driven through His hands and feet... then, suspended on that wooden cross, having to press into the pain of those nails in order to fill His lungs? Watching helplessly, I imagine so many dreams of what could have been died, one by one. This was the end of hope for the big "win" for Jesus and His followers so closure began when the spear in His side confirmed that it was truly finished. Jesus said it Himself.

No wonder His friends didn't recognize Jesus when He appeared to them after He arose from the grave. They were looking for a corpse, not a living, breathing, eating, talking Jesus! When the angel asked the women who went to the tomb to prepare Jesus body, "Why do you look for the living among the dead?" they must have been really perplexed. They weren't looking for a living Jesus because they saw Him die. Likewise, when Jesus walked with two of His followers on the road to Emmaus, they didn't recognize Him because they were overwrought with all they had seen and heard about the crucifixion of their good Teacher.

As I listen to the Easter message this year I wondered how often we miss seeing life because we have witnessed death, so that's what we are looking for. We have experienced a slow, painful death in our marriage or other relationships, so we cannot see the life that Jesus wants to infuse into our connections with others. If you believe that Jesus is alive and death has no victory, why settle for death in your relationships. Jesus came that we might have a full and meaningful life. Jesus came to show us how to love. Jesus taught us that loving God and others is the core of following Him, so why not live like we believe that?

Moving forward in the coming days and weeks, I encourage you to stop looking for death. That is kind of like tripping over something that is behind you, which is pretty ridiculous. Start looking to the future of HOPE that Jesus provided with His life, death and resurrection. If you have experienced death in your marriage or other relationships, stop looking for the corpse in the tomb and start looking for the life that He wants to bring you.  Jesus' very life was about loving and giving, regardless of merit. Perhaps you need to be reminded of that so you can find the new life, new hope and new love that reflects a living Redeemer, not a corpse in a tomb.

Holding You Close

During these difficult times, I just really want to remind you that you have a Father who gathers you in His arms and carries you close to His heart. Isn't that a beautiful, comforting truth? I had a day last week when fear kept trying to seep into my mind and this is the verse God gave me in the middle of the night.

As we somewhat blindly meander through Holy Week - commemorating the last week before the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, I recall His last days with the disciples. He told these friends that He would be leaving them, but that in His absence, they would receive His Spirit. They were to sit tight, pray and wait for the power of God to come upon them. I suppose they were also anxious 2000 years ago when they were forced to shelter together, risk their lives each time they went out for provisions, and simply wait. But, they had seen Jesus. They knew Jesus. They believed He was God in the flesh. And that made all the difference.

No matter what you are feeling from moment to moment, remember that you are you are never outside of the sight-line of God. He hears and He knows what your life looks and feels like right now. He knew, when He made you that you would someday be living through these crazy times. And I have no doubt that He has appropriately equipped you with what you need... which primarily is His Spirit... to get through every single day of it.

Let me just leave you with this thought... A great tragedy occurred on what we call Good Friday. Nothing about it seemed good to those who loved and followed Jesus. This side of the resurrection, however, we know that death did not win and Jesus is who He claimed to be and that His Spirit did, in fact, come to give the power needed to endure all the trials that come our way. As you celebrate Resurrection Sunday in a manner you never have before, embrace the truth that you have a Good Shepherd who carries you close to His heart and abides within your heart giving you all the power you need to face the days ahead. Rest in His arms, feed in His pasture and allow Him to direct your path.

For Such A Time As This

As Palm Sunday approaches, in a time that feels so strange, I can't help but think of the similarities between our situation and the days experienced by Jesus and his followers almost 2000 years ago. Everything changed in a very short amount of time. At this point, Jesus was a rock star among men. He was sought after, clung to, listened to and heralded as the King of the Jews. His popularity was at an all-time high. People ran into the streets to greet Him and show honor and respect. He had come for such a time as this. Truly, His time had come... just not in the way His followers imagined.

In their mind, this was the time to strike; to change the world; to take back Jerusalem from Rome; to establish Jesus' Kingdom on earth; to celebrate a new day. Their minds could only imagine a worldly kingdom where the king sits on a throne, has a militant army and people bowing low to give honor to the King of Kings. They were born for such a time as this and they would be by His side in this kingdom they imagined. But, things didn't measure up to their expectations.

Similarly, today our plans have drastically changed. Without our consent.  We saw a future of vacations, March Madness, spring sports, graduation open houses,egg hunts and sweet little Easter outfits. Instead we have received family togetherness, p.j.s all day long, ways to survive without grocery items needed for a particular recipe, rationing toilet paper, and how to reach out and check on each other more regularly. Perhaps we were made for such a time as this.

I don't mean to compare our sacrifice of our normal brand of toilet paper to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. I only want to point out the blessing that come from sacrifice. All this time with your kids can be used to make memories they will never ever forget. Make sure those memories include getting out of your routine occasionally, laughing hysterically,  learning new things to cook or bake together, writing and illustrating a story about life at home during COVID-19, sharing your childhood memories. Let them see their parents dancing and working together and telling corny jokes. As a family, you get to decide how isolation looks in your house. I believe you were made for such a time as this.

It is no mistake that you are alive during this strange season of isolation. There are important lessons to be learned and taught. There are battles to be waged and won. There are joys to be shared and connections to be rekindled. There is great joy to be found as you huddle together with your family and look for ways that God is working and expressing His great love for you. Don't miss the opportunities. You truly were made for such a time as this!