Warrior Truth: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalms 90 v 12 (NIV)
Each new day brings with it myriad fresh opportunities to see and live our lives differently. Not in the Hollywood movie “Groundhog Day” sort of way where we have to relive the same day until we learn the life lesson we most need to (although sometimes it does feel like that). With each daily reset the lead character goes through every imaginable choice desperate to find a way out – from the reckless to the downright absurd until he finally chooses the path of wisdom and learns to appreciate the beauty that fills his days. And while not endlessly reliving the same day, I have journeyed across a continuum of emotion – sometimes all in one day several times over.
I initially passed the days of our COVID-19 lockdown working, cleaning, juggling school work and office work, and trying to make sense of what was being termed the new normal. Working from home was not new. Sharing my core work hours with more than just the dogs and cats and occasional delivery was. I spiralled into a dark headspace and felt I was quickly losing the battle and my joy. I snatched at my creative life preservers but was too tired to stay afloat on them by the end of my work day. I knew I had to create my own work space but that meant bravely tackling the disaster zone that was supposed to be my sewing room. I bravely set to work sorting through teetering piles of fabric, patterns, threads, ribbons and more. Just looking at the space overwhelmed me at first as I softly whispered a prayer for help. My first priority was to clear some desk space which I had done by the Monday morning. I had a better work week. Every weekend since that first, I have tackled a little more as the excitement of seeing my little space come together keeps growing. This rippled into other areas of our home too as we began as a family to tackle those things we could never find the time to get to.
Warrior Tool: My warrior tool is action. From making the decision to change what I could in my circumstance (a space) to praying a simple prayer asking for help to tacking each obstruction in the way of that clean desk. While I stirred up dust, God stirred up dreams I had long forgotten about; heart desires I had buried in my mind clutter. By doing what I could, He started to take care of the rest. He lifted me from the mind-pit I had spiralled into and has been showing me His favour and His hand on and in my works (professional and creative) in exciting ways. And while this global pandemic still ravages the world and my beautiful country, while governments and their advisors toil long and hard trying to make the best decisions they can, many that seem not to make sense, I choose to focus on the good that has come out of it for me and my family. I know that one day I will get to worship shoulder to shoulder with my church family again but for now, all is not lost. I will yet praise my God, my refuge in this storm, my ever present help in times of trouble.
Prayer: Thank you God that you have not left us defenceless. You have not abandoned us. Thank you Lord that even in this situation, you are calling those you love, working in our lives and fanning into flame the gifts you gifted us with. Thank you Lord that you are both faithful and powerful to break the chains that keep us bound and stop us from taking the small steps we need to in our lives to release your favour. Guide us to take the actions necessary to bring us closer and closer to you Lord. Strengthen our hearts and minds and renew our joy Lord. Amen.
With God, For His Glory