The Lord is in This Place

We are living in the midst of the most uncertain times that our generation has ever seen. The power of the media is strong, and for the first week or two after the news of Coronavirus broke, I was filled with anxiety. I focused on the fear that was being stirred up. Unknown exposure and reactions. Uncertainty about food and basic necessities. Worry over exposing my newborn or my toddler. Worry for my parents. Fear over loss of income. My head was swimming constantly as I scrolled my social media feed. 

One evening though, the Lord spoke to me extremely clearly. I was singing the song “Here Again” by Elevation Worship to Addilyn as I rocked her for bed. (We love this song, and it was literally what got me through the hard part of my labor with Lilliana!)

There is a lyric in this song that says “Not for a minute was I forsaken. The Lord is in this place.” For a long time, I had thought of “this place” as a physical location, but a few months ago I had a revelation that “this place” may be our circumstances more than anything else. 

We are at a place in life and in our world where there is a lot of uncertainty and fear. The Lord is in this place. 

We are at a place in our world where we fear contacting other people because quite literally, it may kill us or someone we love. The Lord is in this place. 

We are isolated and cut off from community and fellowship. The Lord is in this place.

We are at a place in life where we aren’t sure if we will be able to pay our bills this month. Or next. The Lord is in this place.

Not for one minute are we forsaken.

So I have chosen faith over fear. Sure, we are being smart about limiting exposure and are staying home and cooking in. We are honoring the urging of our physicians and authorities to help keep things from spreading and making it worse. But rather than wallowing in fear and loneliness, we are taking time to rest and recover. We are enjoying time with our family. We are finding new ways to connect with others and to give back to the greater community around us. We are soaking in a slower pace to life, and quality family time. We are embracing the giggles (and the fussing). We are taking time to teach our big girl new things. To bake. To watch cartoons and snuggle. To enjoy the smell of a newborn. To play outside and pick flowers and draw with sidewalk chalk. To read the bible and sing worship music and be thankful for all of the good things that God has given to us.

I will never again take for granted the warm hug of a family member. A drop in visit from a good friend. Play dates and time at the park. Stocked shelves at the grocery store (and stinkin’ toilet paper…for crying out loud). Or a full meat counter. I will feel differently about strolls through my favorite store (holla, Target!) or sitting in a movie theater with my husband for a date night. It won’t be lost on me how special that it will feel to gather with my brothers and sisters in Christ to worship again. If nothing else, I have learned gratitude.

You know what I have concluded? This quarantine thing is a huge blessing. It is the Lord forcing us to slow down and refocus our hearts on what matters.