It seems like all anyone is talking about these days is the COVID-19 crisis. While none of this has upset my family too much, thankfully, (other than the loss of a part-time income); we, like many others, stand to lose a lot if the economy tanks. My husband’s job is directly tied to the housing market, so obviously, we are concerned just like everyone else. But just saying that phrase, “We stand to lose a lot” means that we already have a lot. If you’re in a position of possibly losing a lot, then I can guarantee there are things to be grateful for!
I don’t mean to downplay the suffering here. There are so many of you who are finding a new normal for your families. You may have lost your job. Maybe it’s that you are now homeschooling and working from home. Perhaps you and your husband are trying to work from home at the same time and well…everyone just needs some space! Or maybe, you are one of the many workers who is working with the public every day to provide basic necessities, or working in healthcare. In any of these scenarios, it’s easy to get caught up in the negative and the crisis mentality; but once you do that, your mind becomes a playground and your mental health can spiral quickly.
There are so many sad stories about kids who are sick in the hospital and the parents who cannot visit them; people dying without their loved ones around; moms giving birth without their husbands there to share in that joy; etc. But while it’s important to be aware and be compassionate, it’s also important to take back our joy! Is there ANY GOOD that can come of this?
Five Good Things Resulting From The COVID-19 Crisis:
- A Simplified Schedule—While parents are trying to find a new normal with their kids at home, a lot of family time is being spent together (hopefully!) For my kids, it’s a lack of extra-curricular activities that has allowed us to spend more time together. Screen time is practically non-existent (it was before too) and we are making great memories playing games; reading books together; serving our community together; praying even more; finally getting through some of those craft kits my daughter got for her birthday; playing outside more; and the list goes on! (If you need some ideas for activities, check out this Quarantine Bucket List) I was blessed to have a lot of time with my children before all of this, but through this, I have realized that even as a homeschooling family, we are too busy!
- A Reminder of Who is in Control—So often, we think we have become self-sufficient. Once we have enough and more of everything, we can easily forget Who our Provider is. God did not cause this pandemic, but He promises to use it for the good of those who love Him. Maybe if you’re not rushing to get kids out the door to school and off to work yourself, you’ll have more time to thank Him for all He provides. If you’ve lost your job, go to Him and ask Him to provide. Remember, everyone wants to hear about and see miracles, but no one wants to be in a big enough crisis to need one!
- Becoming More Compassionate and Thoughtful—People all around the country are concerned for themselves, but concerned for each other as well. They are finding inspiring ways to make a difference and to remind those they love how much they care about them. Let’s be honest—the older people in our lives sometimes fade into the background because our busy schedules don’t allow much time to visit. Now, we are checking in often with those we love, reminding them that they matter, and helping them however they need. Wouldn’t it be great if this became a habit over the next 30 days so it would continue after all of this?
- Getting Outside More Often—with no other place to go, people are taking to the great outdoors! I see couples going for bike rides; families going for walks; and kids playing outside. This isn’t that uncommon where I live, but taking all the extra-curricular activities out of the mix definitely opens up more time for just playing with our fat old dog outside!
- Becoming More Organized—this is really a great way to start Spring cleaning. You have nowhere else to go and being home with the messes can be really inspirational. Once, someone told me that stay-at-home moms re-decorate more often than anyone else because they are home all day looking at those walls! I definitely get that. But you may not have the money right now to start on a renovation, or even just to buy paint for those walls. Instead, you can work through some of those piles that have been weighing you down without your even knowing it! Get through those piles of bills, the school art projects (by the way, don’t throw them away!) Or you can organize your child’s room! Then, think about what a great foot on which you will start the summer! Get motivated and do your inside work now, while you have to be inside!
Sometimes, we need a crisis in order to see just how great we had things; but other times, maybe God wants to show us that there is a better way! Maybe spending more time with your family, calling your loved ones, and getting outside more are all habits that will make us healthier than we were before! I beg of you to STAAAAP watching the news! Instead, fill your mind with uplifting, motivating podcasts and music, or even better, a comedian! We could all use some laughs right now. Take a deep breath and a step back—maybe what you’ve been missing was right here all along—you just couldn’t see it through the blinders of busyness!