How to Make the Most of Stay at Home Orders

Remember all those times you wished you could go to work in your workout clothes, with no makeup or better yet, in your jammies? You got it. Remember when you wished you had more time to spend with your family? You got it. Remember when you wished you had more time to do household chores? You got it.

You get it. Where is the invitation in all of this? The opportunities? What is this here to teach us? What if this coronavirus is not happening to us but instead, it is happening for us. What do I mean by this?

i believe this is a time of great mercy, friends. A time to step into more light and love. A time to look outward, to give and to receive mercy and forgiveness; an opportunity for grace. Sure this confinement is stretching us in unforeseen ways. Yes we have economic and health concerns. More important than all of that, we have a God; a good and loving father, attentive to our every need and concern. This father, unlike any other, has the greatest capacity to love. I’m witnessing how everything is working for good. This crisis is softening our hearts, helping us to be more compassionate, to look outward, to reach out, to sacrifice, to surrender. These are all good things in a suffering world. I don’t think it’s any coincidence that the timing of this virus coincides with the time of Lent in the Catholic Church. We as a world have forgotten that the economy of salvation is at work in our lives. the question then is how can we participate in that.

Surrender

Surrender fully and trust that God’s plan is better than your plan and all things work together for the good of those who love Him- Romans 8:28

Patience

How long have you been praying for patience? Here you go.

Sacrifice

What if you could sacrifice for the conversion of souls? We have so very many opportunities to sacrifice during this pandemic. We are not eating out. We are not going to the movies. We cannot find what we need at the grocery store, or the drug store, or the big box store. You know what I’m talking about! Some of life’s most basic necessities are unavailable.

If you’re feeling tapped out and overwhelmed, I see you. Maybe this shift in perspective will help. Lean into positivity, surrender, patience and sacrifice. Reduce decision fatigue by implementing new rules for yourself. For example, every lunch will be a green smoothie. Don’t waste energy trying to come up with interesting new twists on lunch. Just get the nutrition in that will nourish you and your family, energize everyone, and support clear thinking. Say goodbye to sugar for calmer and more cooperative kids at home. There’s no better time than now for new routines.

I just love these few hope-filled, unexpected surprises that came up for me when I surrendered:

~we’re all in this together

~we have the opportunity to sacrifice for souls, pray for the conversion of the whole world, and pray/sacrifice for every person and family affected by this virus.

~you get to be creative

~no makeup

~more time to pray

~hair in a messy bun

~leggings

~saving money

~whole food

~slowing down

~simplified lunch routine( daily green smoothie for all!)

~eating together

~clean laundry

~ordered home

~no commute

~time with the kids

~energy to organize

~clarity

~no errands or appointments

What we are really looking at here is a heart of gratitude. It’s important to try to cultivate this every day. See what you can add to this list!