It seems that our world has changed overnight, and we are now living in an alternate reality. Schools, churches, and businesses have closed for an indeterminate amount of time. Everything is uncertain, causing widespread anxiety.
We are facing a crisis that no living being has encountered before and we grope in the dark, trying to find our way into living and loving well in this age of pandemic.
What does it look like to parent well?
How can we be the church?
How do I put my faith into action?
What does it look like to stay physically/mentally/spiritually healthy?
We can only learn so much from the plagues of the past. We consult medical professionals for guidelines and best practices, but it is up to us to navigate this crisis in our day-to-day. We are all making it up as we go along.
Below, I offer up some suggestions on how to live and love well in the age of pandemic.
This is not the time for:
- eating out
- unnecessary traveling
- business as usual
- maintaining high expectations
- play dates and social gatherings
- proving how tough you are
- pretending like you have it all together
This is the time for:
- grace (for ourselves and others)
- relaxing our expectations
- being flexible
- holding plans loosely
- staying home as much as possible
- slowing our pace
- establishing new routines and rhythms
- staying informed
- screens
- calling friends
- growing closer with our family
- discovering indoor hobbies
- reading all the books
- finding creative boredom busters
- overcoming our fear
- turning to God with all of our feelings
If you’d like more resources to help you cope in these times, I’m compiling a helpful list over on Pinterest. Feel free to follow this special board!
As always, if this post resonated with you, please consider sharing it! And be sure to sign up for The Scoop, my twice a month newsletter aimed at helping you on your journey of faith and motherhood.
Sarah K. Butterfield 