Stamping, screaming, running, squealing! I can hear my husband yelling for the tenth time: “NO RUNNING IN THE HOUSE!”
It’s 9:00am. Lord, how am I going to survive this day?!
Outside, the world has come to a halt, but that is not the case inside our house. While everything has closed due to COVID-19, our home has become a school, a restaurant, a playground, a church, and much more.
At first, there was some excitement for Mom to be the teacher (homeschooling in Germany is forbidden), for math and spelling in PJ’s and video calls with friends and family. That enthusiasm quickly vanished.
I stopped counting the number of snacks I’ve made each day. I’ve put together the right amount of schoolwork for a fifth grader, a very hyper second grader, and a preschooler. I’ve been playing doggy, folding laundry, coloring, cleaning, and wiping snotty noses and tears.
Although my calendar is completely empty and no appointments can be made, my life has never been so busy.
Shouldn’t this be a time of reflection, refocusing, Bible reading, prayer, and listening to endless sermons and worship songs?
As I sat in front of my laptop on a Sunday morning, listening to the online service our church had put together, I couldn’t stop the tears from running. In my head, I kept saying: God I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry. Even now I am too busy to spend time with You!
And it was right there when His still, loving voice touched my aching soul deeply!
The words of this song penetrated my heart:
Who am I that the highest King
Would welcome me
I was lost but He brought me in
Oh His love for me
Who the Son sets free
Oh is free indeed
I’m a child of God
Yes I am
In my Father’s house
There’s a place for me
I’m a child of God
Yes I am
I’m a child of God
Yes I am
And there He found me! He cares about my every need. He knew how much I needed to hear: My sweet daughter, you are my child no matter what!
Though the world might be upside down, my house a mess, and my soul empty, He finds me. Though a virus can leave the world in chaos, fear, and even death, our God stays unshaken and unchanging.
“Stop your striving and recognize that I am God.
I will be exalted over the nations! I will be exalted over the earth!”
11 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is on our side!
The God of Jacob is our stronghold!”
I can’t save the world, and I don’t have to. What I can do is be still and know! If the God of Jacob is our fortress, then I am always secure no matter what environment I may be living in on earth—turmoil, war, destruction, COVID-19 — God has secured the souls of believers through His Son Jesus Christ.
For each and every one of us this time will look a little different. Kids or no kids, job or no job, loads of time, no time, I know now I set my expectations for myself much higher than God would ever set His expectations for me. In the business of this crazy time I forgot who I am – a child of God. No matter what.
If that’s you today then crank up the volume and listen to the song above. Let it slip deep into your heart.
Emily Dorn,
German Language Branch Leader – Germany
Thank you so much for sharing this! This word spoke so deeply to my heart you don’t even understand. I feel like I’m the only one who has no extra time. I keep seeing all of these postings about extra time and people having more time for God and I just feel completely overwhelmed! I continue to pray and stay in the word as much as I can but I am really struggling. Your words today spoke so deeply to me. That song brings tears to my eyes and always pops up at the moments I need it the most. I know that I am a child of God and I am rooted in him. No matter what he always calls me back, comforts me , and gives me exactly what I need.
We try to fit our wonderful Father in the same “box” we place our love in … measured pieces of “when” I will love, “whom” I shall love, and “how” I shall love, … forgetting that HE IS LOVE, all-encompassing, flowing in and out, and over and under, and around and around … never ever ending, unchallengeable, eternally everlasting! He always holds His arms open wide for His precious kids, no matter how old we become! Do your best in managing your time, and fill the time regretting what you can’t do with a bite and a nip of His Word, which will develop a taste on your spiritual pallet for more and more until you have time for a delicious meal of thanksgiving, study, prayer, and thanksgiving once again! ?
My prayer for the church(the people not the building) is this :
Ephesians 1:17-21 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
Cause (and) effect . . .
Spirit of wisdom and revelation (to) know HIM better
Eyes of your heart may be enlightened (in order that) you may know the HOPE to which He has called you
HOPE
• The riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people
• His incomparable great power for us who believe
• The power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms
To be honest this has been a time of refreshment for me. I have stopped participation in all activities that require me to leave the house and have fully invested in strengthening relationships from home. This is not only with my family and friends but also with those God places on my heart throughout the day. It has been a time of silence, prayer and worship with the Lord and a time of being encouraged through podcasts, zoom, FaceTime, texts and phone calls. I am at peace in this present situation and full of anticipation and excitement for the ways in which we, as individuals, can be the church away from the building.
We can no longer rely on programs put into place by leaders but are challenged to practice what we have been called to do through the scriptures and what the church has taught us concerning reaching one more for Christ in the places we work and live. We have been forced to think outside the box as we establish new rhythms to our everyday lives.
For some, you don’t need to go beyond your home to practice the art of building relationships and encouraging others because your home is suddenly very full and active. This is your mission field for this time. It is a calling back to family. Don’t feel discouraged because you wish the space you are in presently looked different but embrace it for what it is and allow God to grow you right where you are.
For others, you are busier than ever, exhausted, and overwhelmed. It’s all you can do to put one foot in front of the other as the demand for your services is much higher than normal. Know that you are being covered in prayer, that you are appreciated beyond words, and that God is with you in every moment of your day. It is His power that gets you through the day. It is His mighty strength that gives you the words and actions you need for each given situation you find yourself in. Lean into Him, let Him carry you, find rest in Him in your busyness and exhaustion.
As you lean into Him, you will know Him better. As you know Him better your eyes and heart will begin to be enlightened to know the hope He has called you to. This hope is His glorious inheritance for those who believe. This hope is power beyond anything else we know. We come to know Him not only by the scriptures but also by experiencing His presence. Notice His presence in your life and allow the eyes of your heart to be enlightened.
The same goes for those who find themselves alone or as empty nesters. You have a purpose right where you are. You have time others don’t have, you have quiet others don’t have, you are powerful encouragers from the center of your homes. It is a battle I have within myself of comparing what I’m doing to that of other people and feeling that some people are more significant than others. Those are lies from Satan.
We are all significant and we can’t all be doing the same things. Health care professionals, grocers, bankers, teachers and so many others are overwhelmed during this time. Prayer is powerful, feeding the hungry is loving, performing your job is faithful, calling a lonely widow or single mom is encouraging, patience with your family is Godly. You are each significant in this place, in this time, by the power of Jesus within you. So, allow Him the space to grow you where you are and don’t miss out on what He has for you during this unprecedented time. You are His glorious inheritance and because He loves you dearly, He has given you a glorious inheritance of life eternal with HIM. This is HOPE, share the HOPE.
Stand still and know that He is God
There’s no need to fight, for the battle is not yours
The battle is the Lords
Wonderful reminder that we haven’t been forgotten!