I’ve not written in a long time.  I guess I’ve struggled with feeling like I have anything worthwhile to say…But this morning, when I sat down to watch church in my living room, I was hit with something to say.

Our church in Phoenix is pretty large, mega church if you will.  They made the decision last week to cancel all in person weekend services.  Each campus gathers at least 250 people which would be irresponsible.  Our pastor did tell us to gather in small groups, which reminded me of how the church got its start in the first place.  (And if you’re looking for a great message during this time, go here and listen.  It is not by accident that the sermon series planned for this time fits so perfectly with all that is going on.)

It comes as no surprise that the world we are living in, is unlike anything we’ve seen.  I cannot remember a time where entire seasons have been canceled and countries have essentially been closed.  Quarantine is a word our kids will all know and schools all over are closing doors.  It is just part of life right now.  And we do not stay away because we are worried about getting sick or contracting Covid-19, we stay away because we don’t want to pass it, unknowingly, to people who are at higher risk.

So here is where I feel like I have something to say.  I thought about the old testament and second chances.  Take Jonah for example.  Jonah 1:1 says, “The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: ‘Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.’”  As the story goes, Jonah went the opposite direction, ended up in the belly of a fish, got a second chance, and ended up in Nineveh doing what God asked in the first place.  The result was this- Jonah 3:10, “When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.”

We see here that not only did Jonah get a second chance, so did the people of Nineveh.

Maybe this is our time.  Maybe this is God’s way of giving us a second chance.  Maybe not to preach to a nation but to be kind to our neighbor.  Kindness comes in the form of a roll of toilet paper right now. 

Maybe this is the time when our families come back together.  We are essentially being “forced” into togetherness.  We can see it as a massive inconvenience and irritation or an opportunity.  Play games with your kids, color, craft, cook.  Teach your kids how to do laundry.  Turn up everyone’s favorite song and clean the house.  Pick everyone’s favorite movie and watch one every day.  Go in the backyard and play.  Go for a walk.

The way I see it, is this.  We are being given a huge opportunity to reconnect.  Your family needs you engaged and if you haven’t been, this is your opportunity.  Your teen does really want to play the game even if they roll their eyes and act like you are forcing them.  Your kids want to color with you.  Your friend wants to hear your voice over the phone.  Life is slowing down and in our fast paced country, this is a gift.

I’ve seen it on many social media posts and my family is no different.  If you need something, let us know.  If we have it, we will share it.  If you need someone to go to the store for you, we will go.  If you need someone to pray for you, we will.  For now, we are proceeding with spring break 2.0 where we will look at each other and laugh and play games and eat hot dogs.  We will enjoy one another and not dread the weeks to come.  We will pray for those medical professionals that are fighting the good fight, who keep coming into work, who keep hospitals going every day.  We will pray that the world is healed and that in the meantime, we can take our cues from Italy and open our windows and sing together.