Back To Normal…

Moving Ahead To Better!

The residents of Illinois have now completed 4 weeks of sheltering at home during this COVID 19 pandemic. Before that, schools had merely extended the amount of time students had for spring break, and dine in restaurants had to close or stay in business with drive thru or curbside pick up service. Then we were told to best prevent the spread of the virus, we must stay home.

We weren’t alone, many other cities and states implemented similar protective measures. In some cases such protective orders were given a projected time frame which quickly got extended. Each day we have the opportunity to watch local, state, and national press conferences giving the statistics of the COVID cases. Hearing the numbers steadily increasing can give you the feeling that this could go on a long, long time. And yet rarely a day goes by that a news reporter involved in the national, state, or local press conferences doesn’t ask someone at the podium, “When will this be over?”; “When will we reach the peak of new cases?”; “When will schools get back to classroom learning?”; “When can we get the economy back to business as usual?”; or “How soon will things return to normal?”. When I hear those questions (while, I too, would love to know the answer to all of those questions) I wonder why that reporter bothered to waste their opportunity to get answers for a question that no one at the podium truly has the answer to! But I get it. We are ALL anxious to get back to life as we knew it. When will things get back to “normal”??

Children (as much as they often complain otherwise) are anxious to get back to the classroom and get on with their education. They want to spend time with their friends. They want to resume sports, tumbling, ballet, and music lessons. When will things get back to “normal”??

Parents are anxious to send their children back to the classroom and relinquish the formal education responsibilities back to the classroom professionals. Parents, as well as ALL adults want to spend time with their friends. They want to see sporting events resume, and entertainment venues re-open. They are ready for work and career to get back to normal hours and normal responsibilities. They are anxious to get back to browsing as they shop. They look forward to finding well stocked grocery shelves. And they are anxious to go and sit down for a meal that they didn’t have to shop for the ingredients, do the prep work, cook, serve, and then clean up afterwards! When will things get back to “normal”??

Seniors are anxious to enjoy family gatherings. They want to spend time with their friends. They look forward to going out for the senior lunch specials. They want to be able to go places without the fear of being the most vulnerable to an unseen contagion. When will things get back to “normal”??

Everyone is more than ready to celebrate weddings, new babies, graduations, birthdays, and anniversaries. Everyone wants to be able to grieve together and comfort one another in our losses. We cannot wait to get back into houses of worship and attend church as a congregation under one roof! We are ready to work, pay bills, and support local businesses. We are ready to meet friends for coffee, or a meal. We are beyond ready to visit the barber shop or hair and nail salons. When will things get back to “normal”??

Back to “normal”…

nor·mal/ˈnôrməl/
 
adjective: normal
conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected.

…often prayer is reduced to an SOS in times of panic

What was considered “normal” many times included jam packed schedules, loss of sleep, exhaustion, very little family time, rushed meals, little time for recreation, and little time for reading. Sometimes when things are “normal” attending church is not a priority. And during “normal” times there is often no time for personal worship. Prayer during our “normal” times is sometimes forgotten, often prayer is reduced to an SOS in times of panic.

What if instead of going back to “normal”, we move ahead to better?

As we find ourselves desiring to ‘get back to normal’ I wonder what we might come up with if we made a list of the positive changes that have taken place as we have been sheltering at home? Now is the perfect time to look over our priorities. What would our “normal” look like if we made a new list of priorities? What “normal” things or activities are you beginning to see how they drain your time and energy? What if instead of going back to “normal”, we move ahead to better?

So very much of “normal” can be summed up in one word, “busyness”! When looking to move from “normal” to better, the best place to get guidance is God’s Word. Scripture has a lot to say about ‘time’. One important verse says, “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” Ephesians 5:16. Matthew Henry’s commentary on this verse says, “Time is a talent given us by God, and it is misspent and lost when not employed according to his design. If we have lost our time heretofore, we must double our diligence for the future. Of that time which thousands on a dying bed would gladly redeem at the price of the whole world, how little do men think, and to what trifles they daily sacrifice it! People are very apt to complain of bad times; it were well if that stirred them more to redeem time. Be not unwise. Ignorance of our duty, and neglect of our souls, show the greatest folly.“ Wow! I read and re-read Mr. Henry’s commentary. It was written so long ago, yet it is so fitting in the days we are living! Dear Friend, in moving ahead to better, we must make better use of our time! One great way is to really consider what would make your life better and then make a plan, and move ahead!

bet·ter/ˈbedər/

adjective: better
of a more excellent or effective type or quality.

Instead of worrying about getting back to “normal”, why not begin planning how you will move on to better?

Ask yourself…

As we move ahead following this Time-Out we find ourselves in, how will your “normal” be better? Write out how you plan to move on to better. Have each member of your household do the same. Spend some time discussing your list together as a family. Instead of worrying about getting back to “normal”, why not begin planning how you will move on to better?

Maybe you will move on to better by…

…having meals together at the table more often?

…saving money by eating at home regularly?

…making time to rest your body, mind, and spirit?

…spending quality time with your family, looking for ways to inspire and challenge each other?

…making frequent phone calls, sending texts, or messages to check in and see how your friends and extended family members are doing?

…spontaneously doing small acts of kindness for a stranger?

…making time routinely to read a book or take a walk?

…making time to routinely enjoy a date night with our spouse?

…making time to routinely enjoy a family game night or movie night?

…committing to attend church together?

…taking time to refresh your soul daily in Bible study and prayer?

…pray together as husband and wife?

…pray for one another’s health & safety?

…pray for the health & safety of friends, family, neighbors, co-workers?

Friend, I pray that through this Time-Out, you won’t settle for going back to “normal”! Choose today to move on to better and redeem the time! I would love to hear how you plan to move ahead to better! God bless you and your endeavors!