We built a huge fort with all of the dining room chairs. And the blankets. Brooms and buckets too. We watched a movie. Snuggled in close and read books. We made pancakes. I was the fun mom and turned on music and had a dance party in the kitchen. We went for a walk and chatted with neighbors. Play-Doh spaghetti was sculpted and “eaten.” Beautiful pictures of Anna and Elsa were colored.
Then I looked at the clock. 1:00pm on Day One.
Uh oh, I may have pulled out too many of our tricks on the first morning. “Shelter in place” wasn’t even enacted yet.
Finding Middle Ground
I do this same thing on the first good snow fall. We play, we sled, we have hot chocolate—and then what? The same for summer; water balloons, sprinkler, sleeping outside—now what? The “what’s next?” comes from my desire for structure and routine again. I can only be the fun mom for a few hours before laundry needs to be done, discipline needs to be enforced, and dinner needs to be started.
So at that point I tend to swing in the other direction. First thing that next Monday morning I made a schedule, wrote it on a poster board, and hung it in our living room for all to see. Our days were planned from wake up time to bedtime. And after a while of doing this I went to bed frustrated and exhausted and I woke up feeling a sense of dread in needing to do it all again.
Am I alone in all of this? I have a feeling the answer is no. I find, we as humans, have a hard time going to the middle ground of things; we like the extremes. With our schedules, extra curricular activities, school work, office work, politics, friendships, cell phone use, TV-watching...we often tend towards excess or laziness in some or all of these and we lack self-discipline. But, maybe it is just me.
Those of us who are not currently in “essential” jobs have been gifted something that we always yearn for: time. “If only I had an extra 3 hours of the day.” “I’m sorry, I can’t. I’m too busy.” “Not today, I don’t have time.” “Hurry! Get your shoes on! Hurry!”
Pursuing Middle Ground
So as we move into week 11, now that school is done, stores are still restricted, many activities are cancelled and the summer looming ahead—how can we see this summer as a time of middle ground? A time of refreshment and rest; of creative play and work; a time for family discipleship and ministry? Many of us have the extra time now. How will we use it?
It’s hard to tell what the summer will bring, what “phase” of reopening we will be in. What we can be pretty sure of is there will still be restrictions. The pools and zoos will still be closed. We won’t enjoy fireworks and fairs. Family reunions are likely postponed. Sports leagues aren’t happening, and there will be a lot of work from home still going on.
Keeping in mind the ever-changing atmosphere we find ourselves in, here are three areas we could consider which may encourage, strengthen us and help us to not grow bitter and weary this summer.
1. Refreshment and Rest
Consider spending some time asking the Lord how he has created you to experience rest.
Work to create a true rhythm of Sabbath for you and/or your family.
Have a designated time of day/week that all electronics are put away.
Before summer hits, have a Bible reading plan and share with someone that can hold you accountable.
Be aware of the people in your house and how you can encourage them to rest.
Sleep in or go to bed early.
Have a day with no lights on but only candles burning.
Read
2. Creative Play and Work
Spend time asking the Lord how he has created you to experience creativity, play, and work.
Have your family help you make a more intricate meal now that you have time and help clean up.
Work on your favorite kind of art (music, photography, painting, coloring, crocheting, woodworking, gardening).
Read a family book.
Fix something that has been on your todo list (maybe watch a youtube tutorial first).
Go on hikes with the intention of seeing God’s creativity.
Look up all the state parks that have waterfalls and go see some of them.
3. Family/Self Discipleship and Ministry
Spend some time asking the Lord how he has created you to do ministry.
Schedule your quiet time and if you have kids (at least sometimes) do it in front of them.
Ask the pastors what things you and your family can help with, as the church is still running full steam ahead. Commit to do those things and then do them.
Take a walk around your neighborhood once a week with the sole purpose of praying for your neighborhood
Do a family devotional (feel free to ask if you need recommendations).
Sponsor a child through Compassion International and send letters.
Send letters as a family to our missionaries.
Give financially to the church and, if you have kids, show them the check and explain why your family choose to do so.
Choose one neighbor that you will commit to getting to know this summer. Care for them.
Take a Step
I don’t mean for this to be a list of things you must do this summer, but rather a way to kickstart your thinking and planning as we head into this summer. Perhaps you could pick one thing from each of the three categories and make a plan to incorporate it into your summer rhythm.
Don’t try to do everything. Our worth is not tied into our productivity. At the same time, don’t fail to make a plan because it seems pointless. God has gifted us with this time. Let’ use it in a disciplined way that glorifies Him.