Yesterday officially started Phase One here in Montana. Life will begin to change for some people as we slowly reenter society and the economy wakes up. Other things like face masks and social distancing will stay with us a while yet.

In You, O Lord, I put my trust;

Let me never be ashamed;
Deliver me in Your righteousness.
Bow down Your ear to me, Deliver me speedily;
Be my rock of refuge,

A fortress of defense to save me.

For You are my rock and my fortress;
Therefore, for Your name’s sake,
Lead me and guide me.

Psalm 31:1-3

For myself, I will continue to shelter in place, as I am considered at risk. I am used to being at home; living out like I do and health issues limiting my mobility, the shelter in place didn’t change much for me. What I did miss was visiting with all of my family. I enjoy our get-togethers immensely and it has seemed such a long time since I last saw most of them.

Spiritually speaking, what did change was my prayer time increased as I added people and concerns due to the virus itself or other hardships. My empathy for others increased as my prayer requests also rose. It was hard to watch the number of cases and number of deaths climb. My prayers for our nation and the whole world expanded.

I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy,
For You have considered my trouble;
You have known my soul in adversities,
And have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy;
You have set my feet in a wide place.

Psalm 31:7-8

Now that we are hopefully coming out of this on the other side, what should our response be, our actions be? Do we want to get back to how life was before? Did this time at home readjust any priorities in yours or your family’s life? I hope you’ve learned more than just the need to stay stocked up on toilet paper.

Many people re-connected with their neighbors, checking to see if they had everything they needed. Some did store runs for their elderly neighbors. Did any of this time make you aware of changes that needed to be made? Were you made to look at your financial spending in a new light? Was it being able to enjoy more face-to-face conversations with your spouse, your kids? So, what now? Do we just chuck it all and let life revert back to what it was?

Blessed be the Lord,
Because He has heard the voice of my supplications!
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
And with my song, I will praise Him.

Psalm 28:6-7

What about spiritually? Did you find that your faith grew? Did God use this time to bring about changes in your spiritual life? In your daily routine? Will you lose that newfound devotional time as you return to work or regular schedules in your home, or are you willing to make room in your life to hold onto it? Maybe it was seeing your children more every day that brought certain strengths or weaknesses to light. Are you going to act on it? God uses all kinds of ways to get our attention; to get us back on track; yes, even corona viruses.

So, what now? Are you willing to wake up fifteen minutes earlier every morning; shutting off your TV or phone at a specific time each night so you can stay on track? Maybe you can switch to audio versions of the bible, so you can listen on the way into work. Do devotions with your kids right after dinner while everyone is still at the table.

But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord;
I say, “You are my God.”

Make Your face shine upon Your servant;
Save me for Your mercies’ sake.
Do not let me be ashamed, O Lord,

for I have called upon You;

Psalm 31:14, 16-17a

Let’s allow what we’ve learned or how we’ve grown during this time of sheltering at home to grow into something beautiful as God would want it to. Let our memories of this time be more of that than of just being stuck at home.

Until next time, God bless.

~Brenda

Photo credit: annie-spratt-133868 @ unsplash.com