We're All Heart

Visitors' welcome

I have basically been under voluntary self-isolation for 3 weeks. I left a turkey dinner (thanks mom and dad for hosting Easter, unknowingly, super early this year - bless your hearts) with a nag in my heart that this should be the last time our family would have social contact in a while. I've taken the physical distancing and stay home recommendations for COVID-19 seriously. Following the dinner at my mom and dad's, I cancelled my massage appointment that week (#sacrifice) and my daughter's social skills therapy we were looking forward to starting.

I've learned I can't control the actions of others, but I can control my own. In our country home on the main stretch between two towns, we get lots of visitors. So much that, we now have our cars parked at the end blocking the driveway and a sign that indicates we are not receiving visitors. It is not that we don't love our family and friends, it is that we love them enough to put our wants aside right now.

I hand-sewed a face mask. I tried a scarf. I liked that better. Chris chuckled. There is some evidence to support that covering your nose and mouth will protect others if you are carrying the virus and are asymptomatic. That's good enough for me. I have to go into my workplace this week and pick up a few things. I only have 20 minutes inside. I will look like a bandit with my scarf, so maybe that will help me move more quickly.

I like clear expectations. I often feel anxiety when I am waiting for permission. Permission to self-isolate. Permission to wear a mask. I don't need to wait for the government to give me permission. If we wait, it won't be permission. It will be a demand. (Save the good PPE for our medical teams! A wrapped scarf is just fine!) Our town declared private gatherings of more than 5 are not allowed. Technically, this means we could be fined if you visited.

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other...The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.  -1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 12 New Living Translation

Much of the time, I feel like an appendix or wisdom tooth right now. The hands and brains of the medical teams, that is more admirable. However, when I consider that my decisions are not made with fear but made with love, I feel a little more heart-like. That's how Christ unites us.

A gratitude scavenger hunt we did this week

Keeping our distance on our desolate country road