One interesting/sad thing about this social distancing phenomenon that’s forced its way into our lives during this brief season is, how it makes friends and family feel like strangers. I had this thought as I was driving to the store recently. I was reflecting on how I never know if I can hug someone I see now, or if they are not willing to be touched. Also, some of my own family has opted to remain quarantined away from me, my husband and kids during this time and quite frankly, it’s hard to process.
When it comes to friends, I love to hug people, so not knowing what is permissible with each person is a unique challenge, and mostly feels like a divide. Where family is concerned, it feels so unnatural to be avoiding each other, especially because in my heart family is always an exception. Family is always welcome. Family extends beyond boundaries. Family is family. Yet, here we are.
After reflecting on these two groupings I had the thought, “I feel like everyone is a stranger right now, except for my husband and my own children.”
After a momentary sadness, I felt an invitation to fully embrace my own family unit in a deeper way. I can perceive this “social distancing” challenge in one of two ways, feeling sorry for myself and grieving those I can’t be around, or I can press into the Father’s heart and listen as He teaches me a greater love for my immediate family.
Family, that’s really what all this quarantine has led us toward.
It’s interesting because a month or so ago, I felt God showing me He was going to restore and strengthen the family unit, and I felt excitement and at the same time a deep curiosity at how He could accomplish this task given the hostel climate toward the family unit that had become entrenched in our world. Now, here we are a short time after, and the exact thing the enemy had been attempting to destroy, God is now strengthening more than ever. I love when God takes a plan of the enemy and flips it to use it for His purpose! What a mighty God we serve!
Prayer Moment: During this time of isolation, I encourage you to truly seek God’s face for your own family. What would He have you change? What is He proud of? How does He want you to pray for your family? These are all questions we can directly ask Him. Take them and any other questions to Him and journal His answers. I am convinced you will find encouragement and a burst of strength from this exercise!
The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous. Proverbs 15:29
A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. Proverbs 15:14
365 Days in the Presence 