26 days Later

I’m on day 26 of my 30 day detox from social media. A lot has happened in twenty six days.  I had made the decision for this 30 day experiment when I found myself habitually gravitating to my phone and absentmindedly clicking on my Instagram App throughout the day. I am not sure when or even how I allowed this device to consume most of my day but it had and I knew I needed to make a change. Starting with the amount of time I spent scrolling.

So it was just days before the toilet paper hoarding began that I had logged off of my social media sites. I guess you could call it Social Distancing in a way. I can’t say it was easy. In fact, like any other habit it had many challenges in my breaking it. I had serious  FOMO for the first week or so. What would I be missing and would others miss me? I doubt it but it’s a nice thought. 

 It has been a very freeing experience. I’m embarrassed to admit that in some ways I feel like I got my life back. I am connecting more with God, reading more and getting a lot more done around the house.  Ironically, I even feel more engaged in my social life and just overall happier. However, I still miss seeing my family and friends and fear they will think I’m ignoring them or I will forget their birthdays. So, let me just say now, “Happy Birthday.”

I had missed the hype of current events and had already been to Costco, unknowingly stocked up on the coveted toilet paper and paper towels. Only days later to learn that people were freaking out and hoarding toilet paper and other items due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. I am not one to watch the news and since I wasn’t on Social Media, I was clueless. I asked someone “Does the virus cause diarrhea?” I’m not understanding this. I still don’t understand it. Not the virus that started with people consuming bats or the people hoarding toilet paper. I just don’t understand! 

Like many of you, I went from down playing this to taking it more seriously as the days have unfolded. I have peeked in on the news to keep myself informed and have wondered  how things are on Social Media. I reminded myself that Social Media isn’t always helpful in a time of crisis. People are scared and panicking. Fear and panic spreads faster than this Corona Virus itself. Panic causes panic. We have the toilet paper shortage to prove it. 

I have also reminded myself that Jesus knows all and sees all. This is no surprise to Him. He isn’t panicking and we don’t need to either. His heart is breaking over the sick, the dying and the selfishness of this world too. 

 God often times allows things like this and we don’t understand it. But Scripture promises us that He will use it for good. I can’t help but wonder if this might be exactly what the world needs right not. Not the virus, but the steps we are being asked to take to prevent the spread. It’s not by any means what any of us want. And my heart breaks for those that have been effected deeply by this. I have a few family members and friends that I'm particularly concerned about and pray they are being protected. 

But what I am seeing now and maybe you are too, with social distancing, places being closed and what not; is families being forced to be together. Meals being prepared and shared once again around the kitchen table instead of in the car on their way to the next event. I wonder, if in a few months or years we will hear about marriages that were healed because the couple was forced to spend time together. Families that grew closer than ever because they slowed down to play board games and interact with one another. Who knows, we might even have a huge surge of births nine months from now.😉 

Yesterday my husband and I went for a drive and we saw so many families outdoors, biking, hiking and boating. We even saw two adult men out on the street throwing a football to each other. When was the last time you saw that, outside of Thanksgiving Day?  Jim watches the news, he keeps me in the loop. He popped his head in while I was getting dinner ready, “This is so cool. People are going to drive-in movies again!” I smiled and thought, “This is so God!” He will use this for good. To bring families and people back to each other. 

I do believe this is just a season. A difficult one. A scary one. But a temporary one that will leave a permanent impact on all of us. Trials and tragedies do that. They change us and those around us. They make us look at things that matter and the things that don’t. They cause us to pause and question hard things. Things we have avoided because we always thought we’d have more time. We are not promised tomorrow. This world and everything in it is temporary. 

But God is eternal. He promises to never leave us. To those of us who know and follow Jesus, our hope is in Him. Not this world or the things in it. God wants all to come to know Him. He is closer than you think. He is here and He is with us! 

Pressing On 

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.””

Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,”

Psalms 46:1-2 NIV

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28 NIV

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬