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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: CONFUSED (07/29/21)
Confusion About the White Space


The 2020 worldwide pandemic put me in quarantine while I was busy teaching four Healthy Living classes a week. Classes were canceled, and suddenly, I was confused. What am I going to do with all the white space in my calendar? I am used to keeping busy.

Looking at a mom's old photo album, I started scanning photos. I reached out to cousins I had never seen for years, texting them childhood pictures of their parents. New relationships formed, as some of these were 2nd cousins I had never met. After scanning the photos, it was time to move on to another project.

My half-sister Sue loaned me Grandma Vi's Bible to explore. She was my birth mom's mother. Having never met Grandma, I was eager to read her writings in the margins of the Bible. She also had obituaries and favorite poems tucked away. I was so engulfed in searching it began to feel like I had a Bible Study with Grandma.

It dawned on me that this woman of faith probably prayed for me since the day I was born. She was one of only three people that knew about my birth and placement for adoption. Her intercessory prayers, I believe, helped me on my faith journey.

After pictures were scanned and the Bible explored, there was still white space in my calendar. I started reading years of old journals. I concluded that my life was lived like a busy Martha for the past fifty years. (Luke 10:38-42)

I also knew God was with me on this life journey, but I was too busy to notice His presence. Despite my decisions, He made something beautiful out of every good and bad decision I made.

While continuing to read through years of prayer journals. I remembered, as a young mother, how I longed to live closer to my parents. I wanted our children to know their grandparents. That never happened. Thinking about our son, living a thousand miles away, I wondered if he felt the same way about his children and us.

In my quiet time, I came across Mark 6:31. Come away with me by yourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile." I felt God was speaking to me, and I was thankful to have a blank calendar and time to spend with Him. He did not cause the pandemic but helped me see that I did not have to be confused about the white space in my calendar. I could use it to draw closer to Him. Slowly I noticed a change in myself, and I was no longer a busy Martha but starting to identify with the spirit of Mary.

All this white space in the calendar gave my husband Norm and me a lot of together time. We began thinking and talking about our future. We decided to downsize and move to a senior retirement community in Edmond, Oklahoma. A short distance from our two sons that will someday be our caretakers. Moving close will be our gift to them.

We spent ten months sorting and downsizing our possessions. We only kept bare necessities and became cozy minimalists. We loved being only a thirty-minute drive from our children and grandchildren. It was a blessing only having a minimal amount of things to care for.

We adjusted well to this new normal. The confusing white space in my calendar turned into a blessing in our lives. This freedom led me to daily devotions, prayer, writing, and making new lifetime friends. I have concluded that white space does not have to be confusing. I am no longer a busy Martha but have discovered God's grace is sufficient.
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This article has been read 158 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Stephen Kimball
08/06/21
“I also knew God was with me on this life journey, but I was too busy to notice His presence.” That seems to be the message here - an easy trap to fall into. Good reminder. Thanks for sharing.
Sue Botte 
08/08/21
Your article reads well, although I found it to be more about ‘what now or how do I spend my days’ (without teaching and routine) and not quite on topic. However, you shared your heart with the reader.
I take home the last words of your entry. Thank you.
Bea Edwards 
08/09/21
I thoroughly enjoyed your journey through the white space.

Thank you for sharing your delightful discoveries.
Laura Manley
08/11/21
Sometimes God places things in our lives that does cause us to focus on Him and that sounds like what happened to you. I have to agree with Sue; other than your comment about being confused about the white space, I did not see much in actuality on topic. However, that does not negate your ability to write. I did appreciate also, how the white space allowed you more time in concentrating on the Lord.
Laurie Kiel 
08/24/21
I loved reading about your journey through the "white space" during the pandemic. What a wonderful and insightful use of that extra time.