At the time of this writing, we are over a month into the stay at home order. Our family has been trying our best to make the most of the situation. Micah has learned to ride his bike by himself, Ellie turned 4 and has demonstrated the ability to be independent and strong-willed. Her mother says that she gets that from me. Tonya has been staying in contact with her case load from school as well as staff meetings and so remains as connected as she can be to her work. She is also the main teacher for Micah’s school work and demonstrates great patience with that.
While we are trying to make the best of a difficult situation we are trying to hold things in perspective as well. As frustrating as this situation is, we are reminded that it could be worse. We are healthy, we have a home, we have food and the means to continue to keep food on the table as Tonya and I are blessed to be receiving our income during this time. We are blessed.
The one feeling that I think is common to all of us is a desire or a longing to get back to what we used to do or a desire to get back to normal. The issue with that is that there will be a new normal. That can strike fear and uncertainty into people as we wonder what that new normal will look like.
The Bible tells us in Romans 8:18-23 that all of creation is groaning and longing to get back to what creation was supposed to be. When God created in the Garden of Eden it was perfect as God intended it to be. Sin, however, has marred that creation and since then God has been in the process of restoring. The restoring process can be painful and a struggle and this is what we see in our world right now. We see suffering, injustice, violence, hatred, disease, and death. All of these challenges are the direct result of sin. God is in the process of setting things right and restoring the creation to its original design and creation cannot wait for that process to be complete. We are also told in verse 23 that we as human beings created in the image of God are waiting for the adoption process to be complete when we receive our heavenly bodies free of sickness, death, and decay and when we live with our Father in Heaven and with our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ forever. When a child goes through the adoption process, the process is complete when the papers are signed and the child goes to live with his/her new family. The cross and resurrection were acts of God signing those papers taking us from where we were and our inheritance apart from Him and welcoming us into His family. That process is complete when Christ comes again and takes His people to live with Him forever. We are eagerly waiting for that day and groaning in this life. God is faithful and He will sustain us and increase our faith and our ability to trust Him. May we look to Him in these days and experience His presence and peace.
Please check out this song by Chris Tomlin and be blessed.