Parents, The new normal doesn’t seem very normal at all. It seems like we are in timeout! But then again, the whole world seems to be in timeout. Many of those things that keep us entertained and occupied seem to be in timeout. Sports (professional sports, kid’s team sports, and even the Olympics) are in timeout. Theaters and entertainment are in timeout. Travel is in timeout. Restaurants are in timeout. Money and markets are in timeout. Stores are in timeout. Some of our jobs are in timeout (three in my family are laid off or furloughed). School buildings are in timeout. Church buildings are in timeout… The list goes on…
But thankfully everything is not in timeout, we still have the good things we need most. Most of us have enough food, water and shelter. Most of us still have healthcare available (thank you healthcare professionals!) We can still feel safe (thank you first responders, public officials and military) We are not completely cut off from friends to encourage us (I’m thankful that so many lines of communication are available!). Most of us have family to love and support us. And most importantly, we have faith and a faith family who remind us of God’s great love for us… God takes great pleasure in being with us and giving us a spiritual family to be in timeout with us!
The Apostle Paul who was frequently in timeout, in prison, shipwrecked or dire circumstances was always excited about Jesus and his faith family no matter what was going on in his world. Paul says, “ God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.” Ephesians 1:5 (NLT2)
When our family is disappointed about the things we are missing in this timeout season, we can value and reassure each other by expressing and validating each other's feelings and we can list some of the blessings we still enjoy… like friends, family and Jesus, who take great pleasure to be with us.
Hang in there people! God is with us! I’m praying for you all!
