Christian Living

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THE 12 BLESSINGS OF THE LOCKDOWN

Without glossing over those who truly suffered through the pandemic, either in their business, their health, or the health of loved ones, we must consider that most of us in America had much for which to be truly grateful.

Sometimes we do miss the forest for the tree, just because the tree is big and easy to see. Sometimes we are so focused on how we want things to be that we refuse to deal with any interference and rebel against life and against God Himself when our plans have to change and we are forced to step out of our comfort zone and re-assess ourselves and life in general.

The Christmas season is the perfect time of the year to reflect on the year that comes to a close and be grateful for the blessings the Lord has bestowed on us. This is why I thought it might be an encouragement for many to focus, for a change, not on the Corona cloud, but on its silver lining and consider the Twelve Blessings of the Lockdown:

1. It has made us clearly see that we are not in control, despite our considerable battery of advanced technology. In fact, as it became known that the virus had been manufactured by Chinese scientists, it has brought to mind the stark reminder that our human lives are terribly fragile indeed and can be easily snuffed out at the whim of terrorism as well as by natural diseases and disasters.

2. This has made us more aware and appreciative of past blessings we had taken for granted, whether good health, freedom to travel where and when we pleased, or be able to work.

3. It has forced us to face ourselves without the ubiquitous distractions of our "normal" life busyness. It has given us the opportunity to reflect on who and what we are: what have we done with our life so far? What could and should we change or improve for ourselves and for those we love?
4. It has increased time spent with our immediate family, which has brought in increased appreciation and opportunity to share more with the people who matter most to us. A recent survey noted than 70% of Americans have come to a greater appreciation of their family through the pandemic. The optimist in me hopes that the other 30% were already extremely appreciative of their family before the virus struck.
5. It has given us plenty of opportunities to accomplish things that had long been on our to-do lists but for which we never seemed to find enough time. Craft and construction stores, like Menards, quickly picked up on that and were kept busy with customers eager to complete long-awaited home-improvement projects.

6. It has given us more time to read, for which I, for one, am infinitely grateful!

7. It has given us more time to write, not only for us writers, but also for all who rediscovered the special pleasure of writing letters long-hand. New York writer, Rachel Syme, had the idea in the Spring to launch Penpalooza, a pen pal program to bridge people. It has now over 7000 participants from 50 different countries! https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/rachel-syme-penpalooza/

8. It has made us appreciative of some of our modern technology in a more profound way than simply as outlets for entertainment. Kids have been able to do school from home, parents have been more involved with their children's learning, their difficulties and their strengths. Adults have been able to work from home as well, saving on commuting time and gas, and gaining in family time. Zoom, Face Book, emails have kept us connected despite distances and restrictions.

9. It has given us time to take a good look at the world around us and rediscover an appreciation for its intricate and multi-faceted beauty. In the United Kingdom, the BBC launched the idea of taking an "Awe Walk." People committed themselves to take a weekly 15-minute walk in parks or in the countryside for two months. They were also asked to take a selfie at the beginning and at the close of the two months. The first selfies tended to show the person at the center of the picture, but in the latter ones the focus was on the surrounding natural landscape, with the person appearing off to the side. How revealing! This simple exercise allowed the participants to look at something other than themselves, at the bigger picture, to re-kindle their sense of wonder, and hopefully, in the process, to re-evaluate their own place in the universe and before our sovereign God.
https://blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/surfing-research/2020/11/06/awe-walks-for-mental-health/

10. With external sources of entertainment closed, such as restaurants, theaters, sport events, resorts, people have been compelled to provide their own entertainment. Whether it was watching a family movie, playing a board game, reading, or experiencing with venues new to them like writing a poem, sewing, or trying their hand at painting or wood working, it has open new doors and, in some cases, made them aware of new talents and interests. Furthermore, limited outings to the stores has helped waste less time when an ingredient is missing, and learn to do without it or be more careful when making the next weekly trip to the store. While shopping online has soared, it has also helped limit temptations, since one goes to an online store with something specific in mind and is less likely to be distracted by a sea of aisles full of alluring products one did not even think of before.

11. It has opened creativity and charity with churches broadcasting sermons and Bible studies beyond the walls of their buildings, thus reaching a far greater number of listeners and touching lives with the Good News of Salvation in Christ. Many volunteers from diverse organizations have pitched in to collect and distribute aid to those in need.

12. Most importantly, it has given us the opportunity to re-assess our life in the greater scope of eternity. Where have our choices led us? Have we yielded to God's calling or insisted on having our own way? Have we been grateful for the incredible blessings, small or big, that He has bestowed on us and on those particularly dear to us? Or have we, instead, taken His gifts for granted, as things to which we felt, somehow, entitled?
Even if we have walked closely with our Lord, there is always room for improvement, since we are woefully aware of our many shortcomings. So, how can our stewardship and witness be improved? How can we better show His love and Truth through our daily life? How can we be better prayer warriors? What a blessing to know that our Lord is in control and nothing happens on earth without a reason, as part of His divine plan!

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