Scattered Quarantined Passion Week Thoughts

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.