By Trish King
This time of self-isolation, social distancing and juggling the responsibilities of home — without leaving the house much — is an emotional rollercoaster. There are the good days and the not so good days. The good hours and the not so good hours. There have been days when I have been frustrated, lost my cool and really felt the weight of being a fallen human being as I parent. Then there are the days when it feels like everything has been a success, chaos has been kept at bay, and there are big smiles all around. Sound familiar?
Strange as it may sound, I’ve actually wished for time to slow down a bit these past few months. Sometimes, I feel like the opportunity for personal growth—to spend time in prayer and reflection, and to reconsider the things that fill up my life — has whizzed by in the brain-drain that is part-time working mother, home school facilitator, pre-school entertainer, wife, daughter, friend, chef, cleaner … It’s physically and emotionally draining (more than “normal”), and at the times when I want to call friends and family to reach out and connect, or to pick up my Bible or a book to feed my soul, I have often felt depleted of the energy to do so. I wonder how many others have felt the same way?
As we have journeyed these unchartered pandemic waters, and as I was reflecting on what to write for this blog post, I have been sustained by the words of my favourite Bible verse and the song of a favourite Christian entertainer:
My favourite Bible verse – Romans 5:3
It has held a special place in my heart for the past 17 years since a significant health diagnosis and has now taken on a renewed relevance in the midst of the changes brought about by this pandemic.
All of chapter five of Paul’s letter to the Romans is encouraging reading. But my favourite part is in verse three, ‘Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.’ And he goes on to tell us that it is a hope that will not disappoint.
As we persevere with the home schooling, working from home and/or pre-school entertaining for just a little bit longer, I wonder … what growth in character will it bring me and in what I can hope for? What can we hope for beyond the immediate return to a new normal?
We can have hope in the promises that Jesus made. He promised us forgiveness and eternal life with him as our Lord and Saviour.
The song - Press on, Mums
The other words that have been a bit of an “ear worm” in my head are those of Colin Buchanan’s song, ‘Press on, Mums’. He has a verse for mums, a verse for dads and a verse for kids. I think that the chorus is for everybody, not just limited to those roles…
And in all you do, do it for Jesus
Who won you life and free forgiveness
Yesterday, today he is the same
All you do, do it in Jesus' name [1]
What does is look like to do it all in Jesus name at the moment? Is it in the way that I talk about the pandemic around my children, by speaking with love and respect for the medical staff at the frontlines, as well as the teachers who have become overnight experts in online learning, or the politicians making decisions about how restricted our lives will be? Or is it in how I remember to call a friend, how I speak with that friend about this strange situation, and how I try to gift that person with a little of the hope that is growing inside my heart? There are lots of ways that we can bring honour to Jesus’ name in our words and actions in a world turned on its head by COVID-19.
I also wonder … what does it mean to trust God as the restrictions ease and we make parenting choices about sending our children back to school or childcare? Or when I return to the office and no longer work from the cocoon of my own home? What do we do with the underlying worry that this is not the last we have seen of changes to our daily lives because of this pandemic? The words in this song remind me that God’s love is steadfast and unchanging.
Lately, on some of those not so good days — when the work day has been long, the dinner not appreciated, and the bedtime routine chaotic — I’ve checked on my boys just before taking myself off to bed, and I have cried and repented for my impatience and my grumpiness and for being “not a very fun mum” that day. And then I’ve asked God to help me be less like that the following day. I’ve asked the Holy Spirit to help me to persevere, to fill up my hope tank to overflowing and to help me do it for Jesus... And bit by bit, day by day, I continue to persevere in Jesus’ name with the words of Romans 5 reminding me that there is something to hope for beyond my immediate inconvenience and suffering.
[1] CCLI Song # 3174203
Colin Buchanan
© 2000 Wanaaring Road Music
Used with Permission. CCLI Licence # 113776