This virus that is sweeping the world is certainly creating a LOT of chaos. The chaos is permeating every aspect of life from the news to Facebook news feeds, from the grocery store to the drug store, from home to church to work. However, within the chaos this virus is causing is an invitation to peace.

While schools, job sites and even stores are closing their doors, homes are too. The difference is the doors to our homes are closing us in. We are being invited to unplug from our busy lives and jobs and activities and spend “real” time with the ones we love the most. God gives us children to invest ourselves and our relationships with Him into. Sometimes that investment seems too much, especially when we are pulled to work, home, activities, homework, and SO MUCH more. Right now we have one of the rarest opportunities to draw closer to Him and them at the same time.

He is our only protection and guarantee in “these uncertain and unprecedented times”! We have been caught off guard, but He has NOT! He has shut down the world to reintroduce us to what family means and should be like. We are being forced to take the time to spend with one another, to invest in our children’s education to a level many never even thought about attempting. Your children are getting the best chance to learn in the next couple of weeks as they get to work with the “teacher” who knows them best in a one-on-one or small group setting! You may feel unequipped for this, but don’t worry, the curriculum has been provided for you and the love necessary is already in your heart.

So, instead of choosing the panic that is gripping so many, I am choosing ( and I pray you can too) to hold and breathe in and bask in the peace being given instead. I am choosing to relish these days with my daughters. I am breathing in their scent as I rock them, I am trying to step back when emotions run high and realize this is a gift, a rare jewel of “forced” family time. Peace is ours for the taking as we are being commanded by the world to follow God’s command to take a Sabbath. We have ignored His command so often that He has shut down the world just to give us the rest and relationships we need. I choose His plan and His peace!