Boy…what a week huh? If someone would have asked you what you had planned for the month of March what would you have said?
“Idk. Might try to get out to the zoo with the kids…or…completely cut myself off from society due to a global pandemic and spend most of my day making TicToc videos and counting how many rolls of toilet paper I have.”
I can tell you one thing. This Coronavirus has shown me a lot about myself as a parent. In fact I think it is showing parents everywhere a lot about themselves. I once heard a saying “You don’t know what will come out of you until you’re squeezed.” This is not referring to what happens when someone gives you too tight of a hug that you didn’t expect. This saying means when life gets difficult how will you respond? What is inside of you? What kind of attitudes and words come out of you when you’re laid-off. How will you speak to your kids when they’ve been home for a week straight because they can’t go to school. What kind of perspective do you find yourself having when all you see and hear are negative news headlines, articles and video clips? Will your kids see you praying more or fretting more? Will your kids see a dad or mom who is at peace or irritable and anxious?
You don’t know what will come out of you until you’re squeezed.
Not one parent would be able to answer all of the questions above perfectly. But I ask the question to myself and you. What have you learned about yourself in light of this pandemic? Hopefully you’ve been surprised by the level of peace that you have, by the dependence it has created in you towards Jesus, by the moments you’ve shared with your kids. Maybe it has exposed some areas to address like impatience, a hurried lifestyle, an inability to rest or idols we’ve made of work or money.
As men and women of God, this virus doesn’t get the last word. It doesn’t get the victory. I know the One who has the victory and He wants his children to turn this virus’ evil intent on its own head by redeeming time spent with spouses, and kids. By slowing down. By growing in faith. By pointing people to real hope. By making our houses places of peace.
Fellow parents, let’s use this trial and difficult time look hard into the mirror, to use it as a catalyst for growth and to be Lion-Hearted Men and Women of God. There is no denying that this is an incredibly hard time in our country and in our world. But don’t let others in their weakness and fear try to pull you into that mindset. You are not alone. You don’t have a spirit of fear and you aren’t defeated!