Happy May Day!! I can’t even believe it’s here. Normally, we would be knee deep in preparing for camp staff to arrive, but strangely, we’re all home taking care of other things. How’s your waiting game going? Whether we like it or not, friend, we’re in a holding pattern. It grades against our patience as a microwave society to wait on anything, and this wait is EXTREME. Days are blurring together and emotions are unpredictable with COVID keeping us waiting. I can hear John Mayer now, “I keep on waitin’- waitiiiin, waitin’ on the world to change.”
So, we pretty much all agree it is safest to stay home as much as possible at this point unless we need to be out. Our schedules have slowed, or at least what we had going on outside of our homes. As a mother and wife, my reality is a bit different. My schedule is PACKED. There’s more eating, more cooking, more chores, more playing, more messes, more schooling, more arguing, more of so many things we are not used to dealing with on a day-to-day basis. Anyone else??? I almost had an anxiety attack typing that all out!
By the grace of God, I have found some ways to make the most of this time. Let’s not haphazardly let time pass us by, friends. Let’s resolve to wait well together. Waiting well doesn’t equal being productive or creating all the fun and entertainment we can, but it does mean finding a new normal, just for this unique season, and living it well. I KNOW we can do this together. Here is a list of 10 ideas that can move you toward killing it while we wait! (Sing the phrase killing it while we wait to the tune of “whistle while you work” and you’re guaranteed to kill it sooner.;-))
- Stay active. Move your body! This has an endless list of benefits for your physical, mental and emotional health! Morning Meltdown 100 is totally working for me right now. Find something that will work for you and get busy, girl!! It can be yoga, stretching and breathing routines, home video (or YouTube) workouts, walks or jogs. Maybe you’ll even work your way from a walk to a jog. The possibilities are endless. Who would have thought you’d come out of a pandemic a runner?
- Rest Well. How do you get your best rest? For me, it’s an actual nap or a warm cup of coffee in a cozy chair with the Bible or a good book to read. What rejuvenates you? For my husband, it is shooting around or fishing. No matter how you relax, make time for a purposeful pause. Especially when you’re feeling like you’re about to explode. We talked about this in a school parent meeting today! I didn’t have the words purposeful pause, but I was definitely practicing it. When emotions begin to boil, leave the scene, if possible, and take some deep breaths. Give your emotions to God and come back and try again.
- Seek perspective. Our thoughts are powerful, and as John Maxwell says, what we focus on swells. Be especially attentive to your mental health. What types of thoughts have taken up residence in your mind? Pay attention and jot them down or say them out loud. If they are unhealthy or unproductive, you can choose to think about something else. Immersing myself in the truth of who God’s word is always a perspective changer for me. A good conversation with a friend or spouse can help too. You can acknowledge things are hard right now and also acknowledge they could be much, much worse.
- Show kindness by speaking kindly to each other. It seems elementary, but you know how long a day can be with all the needs swirling around us at times. Write letters, texts, emails. Face time, zoom friends and family you’d like to send a virtual hug. Show acts of kindness to those in your household. I got the idea today of making mailboxes with the kids and setting them up to drop letters in to family members within our household. They can be about anything, and we all love getting mail!
- Reach out. Even when you don’t feel like it. Sometimes, a quick text or call to a friend can get us out of our own heads when we’re dwelling on the negative.. Let your friends and family know you’re thinking about them, praying for them. Let them know you love them. Call a trusted friend when you’re feeling down and let them know you need their help. If you can safely and wisely volunteer your time or resources outside of your home, by all means, do it girlfriend!
- Get Creative. Try New Meals and recipes with your older kiddos (cooking with littles stresses me out!! Anyone else?). Try New Games. Try musical and creative arts activities. Play imaginative games with kids. I’m not the best at playing with kiddos (my hubs does this really well) but when I do, it’s always worth it. I’m a fan of reading books though and they really do love both.
- Ready. Set. RESET! It’s time. Schedule a couple of hours to reflect on the year. Debrief. Where did you think you would be at this point? Are you disappointed? Are you proud of yourself? With the restrictions that are in place, what needs to change? Maybe think of it like a new New Year Resolution and RESET. Take everything into consideration, because things have changed enormously, the virus, state restrictions, what is best for your family, what is best for you and begin to plan fresh?
- Find a healthy online community. Join a pre-existing Bible Study. Proverbs 31 Ministries has these! Get the house party app. Add friends and family and play games from afar. Create a group chat on zoom or Face time with uplifting friends or family members. Maybe even read a book together. Join established, online fitness communities or start one with your family or a couple of friends yourself. Did you know that WHIR has a Facebook group? I’d love to see you there too!
- Extend Grace. It’s tough spending every waking moment with the same people, even the ones you love the most. In our homes, let’s practice giving people forgiveness, even when they don’t deserve it. This is the grace God has shown us. Let’s pay it forward. On social media and amongst others, try to understand people’s views that are different from your own. You don’t have to agree to extend undeserved favor (grace). Also, you don’t have to stay in unhealthy spaces.
- Draw Near to Jesus. There is a wonderful promise in James 4:8 that says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” Don’t believe it, try it! He tells us to come to Him, friends. He desires this always, but in Matthew 11:28, He specifically invites us when we are “weary and heavy laden.” Don’t pass up this invitation. Write out your thoughts and prayers to Him. He already knows all of them, but He wants to hear from us. Open up the Bible and read. There are so many free, online tools you can learn from and I put money on the teaching of the Holy Spirit to lead and “guide you in all truth.” Our enemy would love nothing more than us keeping our Bibles shut. Don’t give him that pleasure. As Jesus says of Mary when she sat at His feet and listened, “There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it and will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42
Whew! Those are all (well most) of my thoughts and ideas. I hope some of that is an encouragement to you. Waiting well is all about taking the time to prioritize things that truly make us well. You’ve got this friend!
When Hope is real… I can wait well.
What is working well for you or your family as you wait? Drop a comment! Let’s inspire each other!
Cheering you on always,
***I want to take time to extend a huge thank you to those people on the front lines and in essential work who are out “waiting” in an unspeakable way. You are in my prayers and you truly are the heroes of the time. This season will end dear friends.***
