Time-Out!

Shelter In Place!

“Go to your room! You are in time out!”

Given the current state we find ourselves in with the COVID 19 virus and many of us ordered to shelter in place, I began to feel as though I have been placed in time out!

All this extra time in confinement has my mind working overtime! Lately I have been thinking about the relationship between a parent and a child and the role a time-out plays. There is not a bond much greater than the bond between a parent and their child. Even in infancy, a parent knows their child so well they can distinguish the meaning of the child’s cries. A parent knows instinctively if a child is crying from hunger, or crying from pain. Parents easily recognize that when a child is unhappy or irritable it is best to stop all activity and take some time to just rest!

It is much like when my cell phone battery needs recharged it begins to run slow and often cannot function the way it should. That is when I recognize that my phone needs time to recharge so it will be back to functioning at its full potential. It is then that my cell phone gets a much needed time-out!

time-out noun
\ ˈtīm-ˈau̇t  \

Definition of time-out
1 : a brief suspension of activity : BREAK
2 : a quiet period used especially as a disciplinary measure for children

As a parent looking at various types of discipline when my daughters were very young, I found time-out to be a form of discipline that worked well. It is thought that behavior modification can be achieved by removing distractions and separating a person from their enjoyable environment for a set amount of time (time-out). When a discipline issue arises or a circumstance happens that you would like to see your child make better decisions about, it is then that a child gets a much needed time out! Not just a time of rest alone, but a time for them to reflect and consider the consequences that come with their actions.

Perhaps a time-out is initiated by a parent because a child has been so busy running here and there wanting to do everything that they don’t even recognize how mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted they really are. Or perhaps a time out is initiated by a parent to give a child time without the distractions of all the activities they enjoy so that they have a time of quiet solitude to reflect on their life and behavior.

Whatever the reason a time-out is initiated it is always beneficial.The exhausted child who can’t seem to shut down is able to relax and rest, really rest! Rest is essential in every way. A body needing rest feels more pain, tends to be more clumsy, even prone to more accidents! A mind needing rest is easily confused and prone to make poor decisions. A spirit that needs rest is unsettled, anxious, and often depressed. Rest (a time-out if you will) is great for the body, mind, and soul! The child whose privileges and freedoms have kept them from choosing better behavior now have plenty of time to dwell on the truly important things in life.

None of us wants a time-out imposed upon us. It is easy to pout and complain. We are so used to having things our own way! A time-out isn’t issued to make us angry and upset, but it is put into place for our good.

So, dear child of God, I ask you as I have asked myself this week, “What does my Heavenly Father want me to learn during this time-out?” While the taking away of privileges and freedoms may bring some added anxiety, the extra time to accomplish some long overdue tasks brings great satisfaction! The additional time for complete rest of body, mind, and spirit boosts the immune system to help fight off the very thing that put us in time out in the first place! This time-out is causing me to dwell on the truly important things in life. Am I trusting Him fully? Are there sins I need to confess? Are there things, attitudes, or people I need to remove from my life in order to have a closer walk with God? How can I serve Him better? Am I using some of my extra time for Bible study and prayer? Have I turned over the cares and fears of this world and this virus to him so that I can rest fully in peace?

Psalm 4
Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.
But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him.
Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord.
There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.

Please don’t become anxious and frustrated during your time-out! Like a loving parent guides their child in a time-out, our Heavenly Father cares about you and your needs! He is waiting for you to spend time with Him, you have no excuses now… Read and study His Word; read a Bible study book (there are great ones available for download!); talk to Him… pour out your thoughts, fears, and frustration to Him; then praise and thank Him for all He has done, is doing, and will do; choose a special Bible verse and write it out, read it multiple times daily… memorize it and tell some one else why you love that verse; listen to praise and worship music, sing out your praise for the Lord! I hope you can look back on your time-out and see Spiritual growth that sustains you in your times of trouble!

If you are reading this and you have never accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, please reach out to me or to someone you know who can show you how to become a child of God! You will have a Companion who will help you through every time-out!