Parents, now what? We’re a month into this stay at home order. We’ve celebrated St. Patrick’s Day and Easter. What now? I have seen you creatively celebrate birthdays with car parades, with balloons, streamers, and well wishing signs. I have seen you stay connected doing Zoom with family and friends. I have heard how you are figuring out the work-at-home, school-at-home, life-at-home senario. I have seen you get really creative with your play at home… board games, family song videos, fun forts built out of blankets, tents, and tarps, beautiful music, fun music, lots of yummy cooking, creating new memes, GIFs, and playing video games with friends around the world. You are amazing! You are figuring out how to live your faith too: online sermons through FaceBook Live, Youtube, Vimeo, Zoom, … the list goes on. Small groups continue to meet, study the Bible, pray for and encourage each other. I have heard wonderful worship through voice and instruments. I have seen really creative kids worship and Bible study. Prayer meetings and ministry sessions are being done by phone, social media, email, smartphone apps and text. I have seen you minister to senior adults through glass windows and gigabytes. You are sharing huge amounts encouraging scripture with the world. (We’re praying right now for our friends in Chattanooga and all those impacted by last night's Tornado.)
So, I guess we keep doing what we are doing and staying creative about living this stay at home life… at least for now. I understand China is having another spike of infection after the quarantine was lifted, it could mean another shut down. With this nasty virus, it looks like we may have more opportunities to creatively continue with life. We are designed for life, love, joy, and connection, but we’re threatened by death, depression, fear and loneliness.
Eugene Peterson was a minister, creative poet, author, and theologian. His dynamic Message version of the apostle Paul’s words to us says, “Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Romans 12:9-15 (MSG)
Hang in there people! God is with us! I’m praying for you all!
