04/09/2020
This is a weird time. So much change, transition, expectations constantly shifting, staying on top of what’s safe and what’s not is exhausting, not to mention living within those guidelines.
Like everyone else, we’ve been trying to manage the change, ride the wave of transition, find our new normal. This is hard for everyone, but for those of us with underlying medical conditions... it can be a little extra scary for us.
We have been on lockdown with my parents for almost a month now. Missing our friends and usual activities, but otherwise quite comfortable in their big, huge house, with lots of space, strong WiFi, and adequate toilet paper. Extremely blessed, no doubt.
All our needs are met and then some. I’m so grateful for that. But it’s still not easy. Olivia desperately misses her dad, my parents have health concerns that cause worry, and my body caved under the pressure a few days ago so I’ve been flaring for a bit. The flare is already almost over, but as the temporary acting ringleader of the circus that is this household, being out of commission for a few days was hard.
But just like always, God shows up in the mess. Comforting, guiding, encouraging, providing, saving, loving. And perfect love casts out fear. So no matter what’s happening around me, I focus on His love for me, and I press on.
Swollen eye, sore lips, swollen tongue, can’t eat... but I’m loved, comforted, and fearless. And this enables me to love this little munchkin well, to be a comfort to her, and to help her be fearless as we ride out the wave of this pandemic. As Jesus slept peacefully in the boat during the storm (Matt 8:24), resting in the comfort of His Father’s love, so does she.
God is in the mess, y’all. Find Him there. Let His perfect love cast out your fear.
(1 John 4:18) There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.