The world has spiraled out of control
since my last post, it feels like. Today, gatherings are not permitted,
families aren't supposed to see each other (unless they are in the same
household), "non-essential" businesses have been closed, and everyone
is required to practice "social distancing." So many people have lost
their jobs. The economy is struggling. History -- for the books -- is being
written as we speak. Crazy times. So thankful that we serve a God who's got this in His hand (see last post).
Personally, while it certainly has many difficult moments, I've begun to enjoy this
time. It sounds weird, but being home more (including working from
home) has helped me to (start to) learn how to "slow down" and live
life rather than focus only on meeting my goals (e.g. surviving the workday,
finishing a video call, reading a book, preparing a meal, organizing something,
taking a walk, maybe watching a movie -- even in those things that are
"relaxing," I automatically anticipate the end of the activity). I'm
working on enjoying the moment and trying to live in the "now" rather
than "I wonder how now will look like after it's finished." Trying to
spend more time in the Word, in prayer, and with family (the family in my
household, that is). If there were ever a time to slow down and focus on
growing in a relationship with God and family, now is that time. While I still
wish there were more hours in the day, this quarantine is kind of nice -- don't
get me wrong; I seriously miss church gatherings and hugging friends and family
(like, a lot) -- as it has kind of made time slow down.
I think perhaps this Easter season has
been the most reflective and blessed yet. Our church has been sending out daily
videos over the week going over Jesus' final week on earth, and I've also been
through a few Bible plans on my Bible app that go through these events as well.
Some of the key aspects I've been thinking about from each day are:
-Thursday was Jesus' last supper with
His disciples followed by his agony in the garden at Gethsemane, where He
prayed for the cup to pass from Him if at all possible, yet submitted to the
Father, acknowledging, "yet not as I will, but as you will."
-Friday was when He went to the cross
and experienced the full cup of God's wrath. Where He nailed our sins to the
cross.
-Today is a day of silent anticipation.
Perhaps the disciples were hiding, grieving and confused over the death of the
One they thought was the Savior. For us today, though, we anticipate tomorrow
when Christ conquered death.
The song, King of Kings has
been running through my head all morning.
In
the darkness, we were waiting
Without
hope, without light
'Til
from Heaven You came running
There
was mercy in Your eyes
To
fulfill the law and prophets
To
a virgin came the Word
From
a throne of endless glory
To
a cradle in the dirt
Praise
the Father, praise the Son
Praise
the Spirit, three in one
God
of glory, Majesty
Praise
forever to the King of Kings
To
reveal the kingdom coming
And
to reconcile the lost
To
redeem the whole creation
You
did not despise the cross
For
even in Your suffering
You
saw to the other side
Knowing
this was our salvation
Jesus
for our sake You died
Praise
the Father, praise the Son
Praise
the Spirit, three in one
God
of glory, Majesty
Praise
forever to the King of Kings
And
the morning that You rose
All
of Heaven held its breath
'Til
that stone was moved for good
For
the Lamb had conquered death
And
the dead rose from their tombs
And
the angels stood in awe
For
the souls of all who'd come
To
the Father are restored
And
the church of Christ was born
Then
the Spirit lit the flame
Now
this gospel truth of old
Shall
not kneel, shall not faint
By
His blood and in His name
In
His freedom I am free
For
the love of Jesus Christ
Who
has resurrected me, ohh
Praise
the Father, praise the Son
Praise
the Spirit, three in one
God
of glory, Majesty
Praise
forever to the King of Kings
Praise
forever to the King of Kings
Finally, because rarely is a post complete without a picture, here is a "group" quarantine picture, in which Strong Ox's family came by to see Cowboy and Clari's newest baby, Chloe (who, by the way, has absolutely captured our hearts) -- we all stayed outside and didn't make any physical contact. It was wonderful to see them in person after nearly two months, but also super sad because we couldn't visit for long or have any physical contact.
