CandaceMeiler.com

When my kids were little, I was blessed to be a stay-at-home-mom for several years. Like any other SAHM, I had days when I wanted to go off-duty and run away. That’s normal, right? But my absolute favorite days were snow days. Snow days were the best days! We would stay in our pajamas and the girls and I would play with makeup or I would curl up with my son and watch Spiderman. We would spend half an hour bundling up just to go out and play in the snow for 15 minutes. Then we’d come back inside, take off the cold, wet clothes and warm up by the fire in our thermals with a mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows. We’d make mini pizzas and bake cookies and have a picnic on the living room floor while we watched their favorite movies all day long. Sometimes we would read or paint or make a craft. And, on the off chance they would all take a nap or entertain themselves, I would read by myself. We didn’t have to leave and had zero obligations. Basically, we were lazy and content because everything had paused for a day.

As the kids got older, I went to work and snow days became less about mom and more about hanging out with friends. Lazy days at home became few and far between. Life progressed and we got busy with school activities and ballgames. Things got (and still are) so busy, running from one event to another. I would get overwhelmed, sometimes to the point of tears, just hoping things would slow down soon. Often, I found myself praying for one of those blissfully lazy snow days again, wishing life had a pause button.

Fast forward to today, and wow. What a crazy turn the world has taken. Over the last week, my feelings have taken me on a roller coaster ride. I feel like a stranger just walked up, slapped me in the face, and then walked away and left me in shock, asking, “What in the world just happened?” All of social media, as well as every news outlet, is consumed with talks of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Please understand me…I know it’s very real, but I am so tired of hearing about it. I don’t want to talk about it anymore, but I think it’s time I say something.

So many people are living in a state of panic and fear. Aside from the reality of the illness and how quickly it is spreading, the grocery stores are running out of food, bottled water, bread, and toilet paper. (Still can’t figure that one out.) When I went earlier this week, I personally looked like I was stocking up for a the long haul, but in reality, I was just trying to buy enough to get us through the weekend with 5-8 kids, 4 of whom are 17-19 year old boys. Heaven help us.

Some people think the world reaction to the coronavirus is extremely exaggerated. Some think we aren’t doing enough. I’ve heard about the diagnoses and the death toll. I’ve read the jokes, I’ve listened to conspiracy theories. People are losing their jobs. Parents are stressed over not being able to provide for their families. They’re trying to figure out how to take care of the kids because school is canceled for two extra weeks. So many fearful thoughts creeping in. Will we have enough money? Enough food? Enough…toilet paper?

Church services, community events, birthday parties, sporting events are being canceled. Colleges have switched over to online classes only. High schools have extended spring break and the coronavirus situation has left a big fat question mark on what will happen for the rest of the school year. And this is the one that probably stings the most for us. My son is missing out on a lot of lasts for his senior year. His senior trip and senior prom…canceled. His senior baseball season…canceled. And we are still waiting to hear about graduation. (And please don’t lecture me that there are bigger things happening right now and this stuff isn’t important. Because that only means it isn’t important to you, and you probably 1. Don’t have a senior, or 2. Forgot how much your senior year meant to you. I know what we are dealing with in the world is very serious, but that doesn’t change the fact that the Class of 2020 is likely going to miss out on a lot of milestones this year. It’s a big deal to them (and to their moms) and we are sad about it. Excuse me while I get down off my soapbox, or rather, my tissue box.)

We are constantly bombarded with facts and figures, and it can be easy to give in to the worry, panic, and fear. Believe me, as I hear about more and more cases of coronavirus in our state, I’ve had my own concerns for my parents and other family and friends who fall in the “older generation,” for my friends who are nurses, doctors, and serving in other areas of the medical field, but also for all the “what-if” scenarios I play out in my mind. (This mind of mine is a scary, scary place if I allow the worry and fear to set in.) But here’s the thing…worry leads to fear and fear leads to panic and none of that accomplishes a darn thing, except adding more stress to an already stressful situation. Constant worry only makes you feel like you have control, but in reality, it makes you crazy and stressed and angry because you realize you actually have zero control. I am a worrier by nature so believe me when I say I am speaking from experience.

In the bible, God gives us scripture after scripture to build our faith and to remind us He is the one in control. We have to be smart. We have to make good choices. We have to hold tight to common sense. We have to listen to the experts. We have to protect ourselves and our families. And, for the love of God, we have to wash our hands.

But we don’t have to worry. Mathew 6:25 says, “That is why I tell you do not worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?” Philippians 4:6 says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”

And we don’t have to be afraid. In Joshua 1:9, the bible says, “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Psalms 56:3 says, “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.”

Over the last couple of decades, as a way to battle the worry that tried to creep in, I would try to find the silver lining in every situation. I am usually successful, but it mostly comes after I have a little breakdown first. Just being honest.

My silver lining during the coronavirus outbreak is this: How many times did I wish for the world to pause so I could just spend time with my family? And now it has. There is so much going on beyond my control, but my kids are all at home. We will have dinner as a family, around the dining room table for at least three straight nights. (That’s as far out as I’ve planned.) We will spend quality time together. We will play games, watch movies, eat, laugh, and love our time together. We were forced into this situation. We didn’t ask for it, but we will make the most of it.

If you find yourself struggling with fear and uncertainty, I pray you will read the verses I referenced earlier or search for others to bring you comfort. (If you need help finding more, let me know.) Pray for the world, our nation, and our leaders. Pray for your family and friends. Pray for those directly affected by COVID-19. Show some extra kindness. Lend a hand. Be part of the solution—not the problem. But refuse to give in to fear and panic.

Look for your silver lining.

Embrace your pause.

And, please…wash your hands.