Years ago I asked God to give up on providing me opportunities to learn patience. You know how it works, you are running late on a two lane highway and the car in front of you drives ridiculously below the
speed limit…and there is no safe place to pass.
Or you run in the store for three quick items and get in the ‘Express
Check-Out’ line (15 items or less) since you only have three items and
the person in front of you clearly can’t count!
My Gosh, how can you think a 47 items are the same as 15 or less? And yes I counted them all! I had plenty of time while I had to wait on
you to buy a month’s worth of groceries in the EXPRESS LINE!!! And how can you still not figure out how to
use the credit card device???? You just swipe or insert the card in the chip
reader!!! Come ON!!!
I think you get the point of my struggle. So, I certainly do not have the patience to ‘shelter-in-place’. Why not just say, “Stay Home”? I guess ‘shelter-in-place’
sounds more official. I should have more
patience with the terminology we often use also. I
understand that we are in very unusual times and we have to try to keep ourselves
and one another well. However; for those
of you, like me, who are social animals and who also get ‘cabin fever’ about every
15 minutes here are a few of the ways I try to keep my sanity (what’s left of
it) in these days of staying home. Maybe
you will find some helpful ideas for yourself.
There is always ‘binge
watching’ TV programs. I would suggest
keeping away from the news other than catching a brief summary of necessary
information. I begin each morning by
checking with several national, international and local Internet news sites. I can quickly click on information and filter out the politically and agenda driven ‘news’ and then I can sort out the truly helpful information. However; if you are hyper, like me, there is
only so much time you can sit and watch anything. Then I turn it off and seek
to move to positive activities for my body, mind, soul and spirit.
Since the gym has closed I have returned to walking the
streets in my neighborhood. As an early
morning person I find it physically and spiritually refreshing to take a brisk
two mile walk as I watch the sun rise on a new day of life. Our front porch faces the setting sun so, at
the end of the day, we enjoy sitting in our rocking chairs waving at neighbors
who are walking in the evening while we read or catch up with friends and
family on the phone. Social distance is
not an issue when you FaceTime!
This is a great time to call elderly family, friends and
church members. I found, during my
pastoral career, that the elderly who are primarily home-bound even during
normal times battle loneliness more than we realize. Many have lost their spouses and were truly
energized when the pastor came to visit.
It also energized me as they have so much wisdom and experience in life
to share. In these days when older
adults are wisely encouraged to stay home, a phone call from a friend or loved
one can truly lift their spirits…and yours as well.
We have also enjoyed finding new recipes and taking the time
to cook at home more now that restaurants are limited to ‘take-out’ or
delivery. However, I would encourage
moderation or you may have to take an extra lap around the neighborhood.
This is also a great time to catch up on reading. While many libraries may be closed there are
many resources on the web to find books.
Most libraries have free apps like Hoopla, Overdrive, Nook, etc. There is also a book that is already in most
homes (and easily available on the Internet) that could be helpful for the soul
and spirit in these difficult and uncertain times.
One of my seminary professors gave me a plan that allows the
follower to read through the New Testament in one month. Even a slow reader, like me, can do this in
about thirty minutes a day. A common failing even among Christians is lack
of Bible knowledge. This plan calls for
reading the New Testament through every thirty days if the reader desires to do
so.
However, if that is a little too much for you, have no fear
I am a master at seeking something simpler.
Remember I am a product of the Mississippi public school system. I grew up saying, “Do we have to read all of this?”
I counted and there are 89 chapters in the four Gospels (Matthew,
Mark, Luke & John). I also noticed
that there are 30 days in a month (I know about February…don’t get too
technical). I know you didn’t know math
was going to be included but hang with me…So, if you read 3 chapters a day, you
can read through the four Gospels in a month.
Jesus told us to teach (and follow) everything he commanded us. To know what he commanded, we must become
familiar with his teachings and life. So
each day one should read three chapters on the corresponding day to complete
the reading each month. Hey, they don’t
give out Doctorate degrees to chimps!
Seriously, this is a great way to become more familiar with the life and
teachings of Jesus as an inspirational and uplifting activity that only takes a
few minutes each day.
Anyway, I hope some of this has been helpful as we seek to
ride out the days of this pandemic. Hang
in there until we can get together again ASAP.
Until then, pray for one another and stay well.
