#coronavision
Schools closing, flights halted, athletic tournaments canceled, movie stars ill, elderly confined, stock markets plunging, parents frightened.
Life is not the same and it may not ever be quite the same again.
How are we feeling? Scared, fearful, confused. What is over-reacting and what is not taking things seriously enough? What do we do now? How do we help our kids?
In this midst of all this uncertainty there is good news!
Are you kidding? NO.
As believers we have hope. Our hope is in our sovereign loving God, the King of Kings. He’s not caught off guard by this. He knows all. He is still in charge. He reigns. He is still at work. He has a plan. He is a good, good Father.
This is everything.
But, knowing that, what do we do now right now? How do we respond?
Here are some ideas to help you cast a vision for your family that will carry you through the uncertainty.
Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links.
1. Rest in the knowledge that God Reigns.
No matter what happens, as believers we can have the assurance of eternal life with Him. We rest assured in the truth that nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39). We need not live in fear. When we rest in the security of our Lord, our kids will be less likely to be fearful themselves.
2. Pray for those most impacted by this virus.
Particularly pray for the believers in China and other countries where believers are in the minority. This could become a time of crucial ministry and growth for the church. Without a knowledge of Christ, there is little hope.
Be open to opportunities to share the good news of Jesus with others. In desperate times people can be more open to the gospel. Be particularly sensitive to people with whom you interact. You can ask questions like: “How has this Corona crisis impacted your faith?” Has this crisis caused you think about things you don’t usually take the time to consider?” Or, “Do you find yourself more open to a faith?” Share your faith story with them.
Not sure how to share the gospel? Check out Certainty in Christ for one example you can follow.
3. See this as an opportunity for building a close-knit family.
Your kids may be out of school and driving you crazy. You may be stressed about how you are going to work and be there for your kids. It would be easy simply to declare a vacation or go into survival mode. Instead, why not take advantage of this time to do something more significant?
- Set aside time to study Scripture or listen to podcasts together.
Your teenagers will likely resist but be firm. Simply say, “We are doing this as a family, and you are an important part of it!”
There are many wonderful resources for families and teens. Try Adventures in Odyssey or any of these free audio adventures for younger kids (3-12), The Crossway Podcast or Ask Me Anything with J.D. Greear for teens. BibleProject is an excellent resource for videos and podcasts, and you can find what works best for your family. My granddaughters also love She Reads Truth, a website and app for Bible study. Adults will also love this. For older teens and adults, anything on The Gospel Coalition website is good. I also have Bible study ideas in my new book, Cousin Camp.
- Select one or two Christian classics to read together.
If you have younger kids, the Christian Heroes Then and Now series is fabulous, and C.S. Lewis is captivating for older children — Chronicles of Narnia for middle grades or The Screwtape Letters for high schoolers. My tween grandsons have also been devouring The Five Towers Series by J.B. Simmons. Also check out his Omega Trilogy for young adults.
- Reach out to others.
We want to raise “others-centered kids” in a “me-centered world.” Now we have a ready-made opportunity to put this desire into action. Shovel snow from a neighbor’s yard. Mow a neighbor’s grass. Prepare a meal for someone who is sick and leave it on their steps. Write encouraging notes to those who are ill. Send flowers to someone. Run errands for a person who can’t get out. Bake cookies for hospital workers and deliver then with a thank you note. Take care of someone else’s kids so she can go to work as needed.
Sit down at the table with your kids and make a list of as many ways as you can think of to care for someone else and begin to do them.
Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash.
4. Fill your home with good music that reminds you of truth and fills your mind with scripture.
These blog posts have excellent recommendations:
- A Collection of Hymns to Bring Cheer to Your Home | Club 31 Women
- How to Help Your Family Effortlessly Memorize Scripture | Club 31 Women
- Songs We Put On Repeat In Hard Times | Kindred Grace
5. Maintain perspective.
Look at difficult times throughout history. Recall hard times in your past. Looking back where did you see God’s hand? What impact has that difficult period had on you?
6. Finally, have fun and enjoy one another!
Too often our lives are marked by stress — spurred by the over-commitment of our kids to good things. Now those good things are canceled. We have the opportunity of more time together and this is a rare gift.
Have you felt like life is racing along too fast? Many of us are now forced into a slowdown. It’s an interruption of our routine but perhaps it’s a gift — an interruption for something greater than my plan or yours.
Let me encourage you to brainstorm a vision with your friends for this difficult season.
Share your ideas using the hashtag #Coronavision.
PS: Do you find yourself suddenly and unexpectedly homeschooling? Here’s some advice from seasoned homeschooling moms:
- Brave Writer on FB
- Silo & Sage on FB
- Homeschool Help! | Learning through Literature
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Celeste,
You are so right. It is really hard. Especially when you have babies and toddlers.
If you have practical ideas for this season it would be great if you would share them at #coronavision.
We need to encourage one another!
Blessings, Susan
Yes this is all wonderful BUT there are young families in the trenches with children, breast feeding babies and getting no sleep. Let’s get practical here too. It’s hard for these to feed the spirit and avoid depression.
Thank you!
Stephanie,
Thank you for writing!
It’s always good to hear from folks!
Have a blessed day.
love, Susan
Anna,
How great to hear from you!!
It seems forever since your Fellows Year!
I hope I can see you next time I’m in Memphis.
Thanks for being in touch!
Love, Susan
Thank you Susan! It’s great to be encouraged during this time. We live in Memphis (across from Libby’s cousin in law) I’m always telling her how much I love reading from her moms things. Blessings to you –
Angela Applegate
Thanks Susan,
I loved this ! I’m sorry I missed your call
2 days ago. I’ll try to catch ya tomorrow!
Love & Blessings on you & your family,
Holly
Thanks Holly!
It was great to catch up with you on the phone. Praying for you and the cow girls /city girls in Colorado.
Love you lots!
Susan