We made it through the first official week of social distancing!

Charlie and I had started trimming back our social schedule even earlier, but school was closed a week ago last Friday, so the kids and I have been spending our time at home and in the garden since then.

Overall, it’s been fine. The kids have been busy playing, planting seeds and watering our garden, doing craft projects, worksheets sent home from school, and movies in the afternoons.

It’s been similar to a half term week except we didn’t go out to our normal spots like Whipsnade Zoo. Anna and Luke know that this is different, and as the weeks progress, it will get harder remaining at home, before we can make slow steps toward more normality. We can’t quite fathom for how long this will be our new way of living.

As parents, we want to remain calm and stable for our kids but sometimes we can’t help but show a sign of human emotional response for all that is going on around us. They might see mummy and daddy with stressed facial expressions, cry or get upset. I am all for remaining positive, but we also have to be realistic and understand that rapid adjustments are being made.

There is a sense of grieving normal life from just a few weeks ago, and through this, we can release our emotions. Allowing ourselves time and space to react to the Covid-19 pandemic, we can then move on into our new current way of life.

So as you adjust to your new normal, may there be grace for your spouses, families, home life, and especially grace for yourself. It’s okay to not have it all put together.

The kids do not need to constantly be entertained or be super busy with home activities. Being bored can help trigger their imaginations.

This is a day-by-day life we are living right now. We must let go of the need to pack out our schedules, planning months in advance. Sometimes, it’s good to just be present in the moment and let God plan our agenda.

On one of my bad days this past week, God put the word, sustain on my heart:

He is the one that upholds us.

He is the one who rescues us.

He is the one who carries us.

He is the one who sustains us.

Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all you who remain of the house of Israel, you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and grey hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and rescue you.

Isaiah 46:3-4

So as we get used to the idea of spending lots of time at home, may God redefine our schedules and help us to be flexible. Let’s remember that God can work good through all circumstances.