I wrote the following blog titled “this too shall pass” last March, shortly after the pandemic began, and before I realized we would still be working from home, wearing masks, and keeping our distance a whole year later!
Getting my kids through virtual school was likely the most difficult part of this past year, and there were many “mom fail” moments, and those days where it was just time to hang it up and start over again. I put on some added pounds as well, which I will blame on the added stress (if in doubt, just blame Covid!).
That said, much as this has felt like the most trying year of my life, it has also been a year of blessings. Maybe it all won’t ever pass, but I know God is behind the scenes and enabling blessings amidst these trials. This situation has shifted my routine and way of thinking in a variety of ways.
Here are just a few things I am grateful for, as a result of the pandemic:
I have spent much more time with my family, and my teenage boys specifically, during what are the most critical years before they venture on their journey of adulthood, and may not have been able to do that otherwise
I have grown in my spiritual journey and relationship with God as I have been much more consistent with doing daily devotions, and understand the value of that which I will carry into years to come, even once it is “busy” again
It has been a year of reflection. I have had time to think about my future plans without the hustle of quite as much of the day to day business going on.
I have developed a routine, which is different, but still a routine! I am more consistent with my daily walks, many of which are in between meetings at work, and have been more rigorous in watching my calories (with the exception of the periodic binge of chips and salsa after a rough afternoon meeting...)
I save money on gas with no commute, as well as food as I make my lunch every day, which is likely also healthier (except for the chips and salsa)
Is it all great? No, there are still challenges every day. But.. I feel like I have grown through this, and my kids have too.
Maybe it all happened for a reason! I won’t ever know. All I do know is that I can make the best of every day while I’m passing through. ❤️
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I don’t know about you, but the last couple of weeks have felt like the craziest, most unorganized weeks of my life. I am a person that likes order, consistency and routines, and have had everything but that which leaves quite a feeling of anxiety and uncertainty!
I am incredibly blessed to have a job that enables me to work from home, but the last week or so has been incredibly stressful and difficult to adjust to. My extroverted personality needs the face to face interaction, and it requires flexibility and a change of thought process to be productive in that environment day in and day out, especially with two teenagers at home (who are quite bored I might add....and with having to constantly follow up to making sure they are doing their work).
But... who am I to complain?! There are many that don’t have the luxury of working for an amazing company like Capital One who has made significant investments to care for employees and customers during this situation. Many others either have to risk their safety to go to the office, or just not go to work and lose that income. So many small business owners are forced to close or make the difficult choice between paying basic bills and their employees. There are many right now that aren’t sure how they can make their next mortgage payment or provide meals for their families. Our food banks are suffering tremendously as the demand for these basic needs has increased over the last few weeks. I am beyond blessed and have nothing to complain about.
All that said, I realize it is natural to feel that way as I am human, and am not expected to have the answers for everything. For that reason alone, all I can do is trust in God and do the best I know how to do with my limited human judgment and ability. These, among many, are the situations where we have to rely on judgment greater than our own. We will never have all the answers and should be thankful not to have the burden of that being the case. I am reminded of a few bible verses as I ponder all of these scenarios.
Joshua 1:9 ESV
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Romans 8:28 ESV
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.“
Proverbs 3:5 NIV - my favorite!
“Trust in the lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
We may not every know what it is, but there is likely some reason it is happening - for example, maybe it is to force us to slow down and spend quality time with our families, or to humble many of us to understand how good we’ve got it.
We may never know, but all we can do is have faith and keep moving forward. Months, and years from now, we will likely look back on this time and be thankful that our family was safe and that we got through it, and wonder why we were so stressed at the time. We may even have some fond memories of family game time or other random situations that may not have happened if we weren’t all stuck in the house together.
This too shall pass.... ❤️
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