We’ve all been under Shelter In Place orders or recommendations for about a month now. How are you doing?
Our family is into a routine as yours is probably too, but it still feels unnatural, doesn’t it? I long to visit a park, hug my girlfriends, and not need to worry about how close I’m standing to someone in a store. Several times I’ve muttered, “This quarantine can be over just any old time!”
In those moments, it’s a good time to remember the trade-offs. Our immediate family lives in three separate states but we keep in daily contact with each other via Facebook Messenger. Most of us are working from home and one daughter is on maternity leave, so double stuck at home. One day, I challenged the family to devise a list of the Top Ten Benefits of Shelter in Place.
Let me share our light-hearted list with you:
Number 10
Saving money on makeup.
Number 9
No need to factor in travel time for meetings or events
Number 8
Dressy clothes won’t wear out as fast.
Number 7
Teaching, preaching, and other work-related tasks can be accomplished while barefoot.
Number 6
The edict to stay home is an equalizer between drivers and non-drivers. Everyone feels the restriction of not being able to go anywhere whenever you want to. (Our family likes this one since half of us don’t drive anyway. Feel restricted as to where you can go? Welcome to my world!)
Number 5
Time to catch up digitizing the CD collection, repairing a fussy computer printer, organizing winter clothes bins, and experimenting with baking projects.
Number 4
Time in the morning to cook eggs for breakfast.
Number 3
Work at our own pace and take breaks when needed without worrying about supervisors or colleagues
Number 2
Time to enjoy bird watching.
And number 1 benefit of Shelter in Place?
More time to talk to family and friends through video, phone calls, and Facebook Messenger – like composing this list!
Do you hear a common theme? TIME! We all have time, time to do those things we keep saying we don’t have time for.
So here’s my two-fold challenge
- Time is running out. Several states are discussing the lifting of the shelter in place restrictions. What have you put off that you said you wanted to get done? Yes, there’s been more time for Bible study, prayer, and calling a friend on the phone – but have you done it? Make a list and see what you can get done in the next two weeks.
- Determine how you will carry the lessons of this down time with you as you reenter your normal responsibilities. Limitations have a way of making us prioritize. What did you discover that is important to you? Don’t let it go. Cherish the relationships. Keep in touch with people. Say those important things. Commit yourself now to not allow busy-ness to take over.
How about you? What benefits have you experienced from staying at home?
It’s something to think about.
Preacher Creature does promise to put his shoes back on when he preaches.
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