Quarantine!

About a month ago, many of us were too busy, life was moving too quickly, and we wished we had more time to spend with our families. And now? Well, now we aren’t really sure what to do with all this unscheduled–and forced–family time, courtesy of COVID-19.

None of us saw this coming. Quarantine!! We would have never fathomed that church and school would be all on-line. What??!! I know, unbelievable. We had no idea that sports would be nonexistent, trips would be cancelled and that so many of you would be [GASP] homeschooling. This is in additional to many people working from home or not working at all.

There is so much to deal with and I know at times, I have felt like I just wanted to stick my head in the sand and pretend it was all a dream. Anyone else? Whether we realize it or not, our children are watching our responses and reactions, often taking their thought and behavior cues from us. Are we responding to the daily influx of news and all this together time in faith, peace, and or are they seeing a different response from us of anger, fear, or irritability? Parents, this is a prime opportunity for us to lead our families as God would have us—to use those fruits of the Spirit that I mentioned in last month’s newsletter. Not gratitude for the Coronavirus but gratitude for His provision during this season of life.

Although we pray and hope to see an end come sooner than later, we can still make this time
meaningful for our families.

BE CREATIVE WITH YOUR TIME TOGETHER

Incorporate games, music, movies, house projects and walks around the neighborhood. Be on the lookout for teachable moments with your children. Put down the screens and have some real conversations and listen to each other.

This time of quarantine with our families was quite unexpected, but we can treat it as an unexpected gift by making good use of it. And when we slowly, cautiously reenter the world when this is all over, may we look back on this unusual time with no regrets for how we spent our days.

Please know that I and the entire church staff are here for you and your families. Please contact me if you have any need that I can help with. My phone number is 601-954-3060. Know that I miss you and your kids so very much and look forward to the day when we are all back together. Make sure you are joining us for Sunday morning live on Country Woods TV at 10:30 and also on Wednesday nights at 6:30 for devotion.

Hang in there!! You can do this! Praying for you all.

Love,

Julie