By Alison Feinauer
“Most useless purchase of 2019: 2020 planner.” I had to laugh when a friend sent me this meme. I couldn’t have said it better myself. The hardest part of the quarantine for me personally (I know there are many that have lost loved ones and jobs which I don’t want to minimize. That is awful and hard.) is the cancelled plans, the nothing to look forward to, the Groundhog Day Syndrome. I like events, plans, vacations, people time….
But I decided, I’ll be happy with this time. I made the best of it. As the weeks went on, it got a little easier because I had a new routine. I did my workouts at home. My new schedule was coming together. I figured out how to work from home. All those things were aligned. We had our weekends at home, full of contentment, doing family zoom calls or game nights. It was joy-filled.
Now as things open, I’ll be honest, I’m at a new paralysis. What do I allow back in? What gets my time now? What will “re-open” in my life, and what needs to stay in my quarantined world. It’s like some trick on my mind. I kind of liked the simplicity.
The great news is, we get to decide. We can still live simple lives and invite Jesus into every decision in how we spend our time. I want to be on guard. I want to be more intentional about my yes’s and no’s. COVID served me in that it helped to cut everything off, and now I get to choose what comes back…well besides the pool. I may just have to get that sprinkler back out.
What things are you facing as we turn this corner? Could it be fear or excitement or a little of both? I encourage you to be honest with God and yourself and ask…Lord, what do you have planned for my time? Please, order my steps and lead me to what You have called me to do today. Settle my heart, Lord, and don’t let what I’ve learned during this time fall away. Give me wisdom and courage to do what You desire of me. Help me to carry out the purpose that You have for my life. Thank You for leading and guiding each of us today. Amen
Go ahead and make all the plans you want, but it’s the Lord who will ultimately direct your steps (Psalm 16:1 TPT).
Before you do anything, put your trust totally in God and not in yourself. Then every plan you make will succeed. The Lord works everything together to accomplish his purpose (Psalm 16:3 TPT).
I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen. When you come looking for me, you’ll find me (Jeremiah 29:11-14 MSG).
