Mar
17
2020
Dot Less Days
Posted in Daily Living 6 Comments
I have no dots on my phone calendar.
There were dots.
I had to delete many of them.
They have been deleted because of social distancing.
Things on my calendar that were not necessary are now gone.
They have been removed.
They were important at the time they were placed there.
Now their importance seems insignificant.
What has become more significant that makes deleting events so easy?
The health and well being of my family, others, and myself is more significant.
The corona virus, which began in China, has now spread around the world.
It is called a global pandemic; even the name evokes a response of fear.
However, we are told over and over in God’s Word, Do not be afraid.
Often Jesus will say, It is I. Do not be afraid.
Jesus usually said this after some extraordinary thing revealed Him in a new way.
Literally, Jesus said: I AM. No Fear.
The great I AM.
When Moses asked God for His name, God answered, I AM WHO I AM.
This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you. (Exodus 3:14)
I AM.
The beauty of the Great I AM is that He always was, always is, and always will be.
I AM is in control of the wind and the waves.
I AM is sovereign over all creation.
I AM is sovereign over our lives.
As I deleted each event on my calendar, I watched the dot disappear.
I looked at the clean calendar.
I did not fret or feel any remorse.
I breathed, really breathed, and felt a palpable peace.
There is nothing on my calendar for over a month.
Clean white spaces stared back at me.
Time to do all the things there was not time to do before.
Time to breathe; time to rest.
As difficult as this corona virus is to our way of life, it comes with a blessing.
We are all learning how to be still.
We are all learning how to stay home and be content.
We are all spending uninterrupted time with each other.
Sometimes, we have to be stopped in order to slow down.
Sometimes, we have to have something shake us out of our frenetic pace.
Sometimes, we need to be told to stay in one place or else we would continue non-stop.
Sometimes, we are forced to change the direction of our lives.
A friend posted a short video with her five-year-old daughter.
She asked her daughter what they have done while the virus has kept them inside.
The little girl spoke so sweetly of the dance parties parties she has with her mommy.
She talked about the special breakfast her daddy makes.
Her mommy reminded her of the ballet they watched together.
The little girl’s eyes lit up at the thought.
The little girl was eating a pickle as she talked.
Pickles are the thing to eat when you are five years old and a virus is outside your door.
I thought about the opportunity we have during this crisis.
We have the speed of our lives slowed to a bare minimum.
We have time for the first time in a long time.
We have the ability to breathe and enjoy the 1,440 minutes we have each day.
Parents are not running their children to sports or practice.
There are no music lessons or gymnastics classes.
There is no school.
There are no extra curricular activities or youth group.
Suddenly, there is time.
We have forgotten what no dots on our calendar looks like.
We have forgotten how it feels to sit and talk with no distractions.
We are now understanding the meaning of stillness, albeit forced stillness.
We are taking walks.
We are reading books.
We are enjoying that hobby we laid aside because we couldn’t fit it into our already full schedule.
We are drawing, and painting, and singing, and dancing our way through a pandemic.
We know the gravity so we dance.
We know the risks so we sing.
We know that we must remain socially distant so we FaceTime, text, or call.
We know that this is serious so we trust in the One who knows.
We cling to the One who sees.
We hold onto the One who hears.
We attach ourselves to the One who is victorious.
Nothing the enemy throws at us can overpower the One who is our Lord and Savior.
Nothing!
I look at the dot-less phone calendar and rejoice.
Maybe this will teach all of us that we can live with much less.
We can live minimally and thrive.
We can live simply and have time to dance, and sing, and enjoy being together.
Life may never go back to the way it was before.
I actually think that is okay.
In fact, it is more than okay.
We may realize that the forced stillness becomes desired stillness that we cherish.
Do not forget for a minute that God is in control.
Do not forget for a minute that God never leaves you or forsakes you.
Do not forget for a minute that God is a loving Father who cares for His children.
Do not forget so you can dance and sing all to the glory of God.
Selah.
Image by: Charles Mackesy
Gina,
Our church for lent was already spending time disconnecting from electronics and connecting with
The Lord. So the virus is slowing us down.
Our family is checking on us old folks so far we are good.
Carol, you are so right. The virus is slowing us down. However, when we get to the other side of this, I think we will carry away valuable lessons from this time.
Gina
You have so perfectly put into words my thoughts these past few days. Be still. So different but am seeing so many joys I didn’t have time to notice before.
Sherie,
Now there is time.
It is a wonderful gift, despite all that is swirling around us.
Gina
So true …enjoy the rest and quiet w the Lord and your husband!
Enjoy this time of stillness as well, Diane.
Gina