It's crazy how life kind of takes off on us and next think you know 4+ years have passed and you forgot you even had a blog.
Perhaps this Blog "pause" was a practical illustration of what we are going through in life right now. Maybe? We don't like pause do we? I've said it in previous blogs, but we wear "being busy" as a badge of honor. When people ask us, "How are you doing?" we say, "Busy, just so busy" and though we sound like the exasperated victim in this statement, deep down we love it and can tend to feel empty if were it not true. Even in our vacations which is our break from the busyness we often cram in as much activity as we can during these small windows that are intended for respite and relief. We jokingly return back home saying, "Oh man I'm so tired that I need a vacation from my vacation."
Go, go, go is how we roll, roll, roll...
Like many, in this particular season in life I've been laid off at my work and though I am believing it to be a temporary season in my story, it's still an unfamiliar one none-the-less. Pause. Stay home. Avoid the regular crowds and normalcy of life they say to "flatten the curve". So as much as my extroverted self hates it, I comply. Pause.
The extent of my get out of the house is finding a trail in the forest with my wife and my dog and get some exercise walking while enjoying nature, fresh air, creation and not being inside my stinking house!!!! (that I'm extremely grateful for... )
While adjusting to this new normal that may or may not be temporary there are some things that have crossed my mind as to how my attitude should be in the midst of all this. My "P's" in the Pause.
1) Patience - this seems to be the most obvious need for likely most of us in a season like this that knocks us out of our normal routines. Kids aren't in school. We aren't at work. Folks aren't advised or encouraged to come and go freely as normal life would afford. The only one that seems to be ok with this new is my dog as she LOVES having us all home everyday. It is absolutely paramount for you and for me that we practice patience daily as we seem to be taking this day by day trying to figure it all out. Is it easy? Hahahahaha!!!! Can we get there? I believe we can. It takes practice.
2) Practical - Sometimes it can be easy to assume that work will always be there, pay will always be coming and things will always be moving in the right direction so we unintentionally can get a touch reckless. I don't thing we do this in an arrogant or flippant way, but sometimes comfort doesn't set us up for long term thinking or the potential of life's what if's. When a moment like this happens in life and the rug is pulled out from underneath you or the wind is taken out of your sales we instantly panic as we didn't realize that we may or may not have been living long term practical. For those that do and are completely prepared, you're a rockstar. For those that maybe are caught a little off guard, you're likely not alone. The beauty in a season like this though is that rather than panic we can take it as an opportunity to step back, take a breath and recalibrate on what our priorities are and what is needs vs wants. What are we doing to take care of today? Tomorrow? Longer down the road and what happens if a "state of emergency" happens? If you/we aren't there yet or haven't quite mastered it, this Pause is a great season to work through this and get better at mastering the Practical.
3) Persistence - As mentioned, getting out of the routine and having a Pause in life imposed on us can get us to a state of panic. Obviously that is not the productive response in any season, but definitely not in a season of pause. What we tend to do in the panic is get tempted to quit. How do I put this??? DON'T DO IT!!! Practice persistence in the Pause. Find new normals, new routines, start your blog again after a 4 year hiatus. Just don't quit. It won't change the season of pause. It only serves as a reminder where you are and will feed the panic. Embrace the new opportunities and stubbornly stick to it. Be persistent. As mentioned, Alisha and I have made it a point to get out everyday for a walk in nature be it great or small, we persistently do something. Amazingly in this new routine in this season of pause I've seen some pounds shed off which I desperately need for my health, heart, etc...
4) Positivity - You're spending more time with family, more time online, more time in your own head.
BE NICE!!! Do I need to say more on that one? I should hope not.
Most importantly of all...
5) Presence - Were it not for the presence of Christ in my life I don't know that's I'd have peace in my life... especially during a season like this. Want to know my Jesus? Reach out to Him. He's there. Want someone to pray with you? Reach out to me. I'm here. Let's Facetime or Zoom and I will pray that God's Peace that passes all understanding will wash over you, sustain you and help you help others in a season when serving self is the natural response. Above all, I'm so grateful for HIS Presence.
So let's decide what we do with this timeout. We are in it together and like it or not we get to decide our attitudes and actions in this Pause. Can I encourage you to "Practice some P's in the Pause"?
Hello Scott and Alisha. I am a Pastor from Mumbai India. I am glad to stop by your profile on the blogger and the blog post. I am also blessed and feel privileged and honoured to get connected with you as well as know you and your committment to the Lord and His ministry. I am blessed and encouraged by your blog post on Pause and the P's we need to observe in this lock down which is global and for us it is from the third week of March which will continue until June end because of growing Corona Virus cases in Mumbai. I have throughly enjoyed your blog post and I might refer to your P's in my on zoom preaching to the church. I love getting connected with the people of God around the globe to be encouraged strengthened and praying for one another. I HAVE been in the Pastoral ministry for last 41yrs in this great city of Mumbai a city with a great contrast where richest of rich and the poorest of poor live. We also encourage young and the adults from the west to come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacation time. We would love to have young people who are in your contact to come to MUMBAI to work with us during their vacation time. I AM SURE they will have a life changing experience. It would be even great if you and Alisha come to Mumbai and even encourage the body of Christ through preaching the Word of God, speaking to the men and women and also young people as that is your strength and passion. My son lives in Calgary, Canada with his family serving the homeless and drugs addicts in the city of Calgry for last 15 to 16 yrs. He has two cute beautiful daughters of 3 and 1 yrs old. I had planned to be with him in May but due to the out break of Corona virus I had to cancel my trip to Calgary. But if God allows may be next year I will be there in Calgary and will be so glad to meet you during my stay in Calgry. Looking forward to hear from you very soon. God's richest blessings on you, Alisha and friends and ministry you do. My email id is: dhwankhede(at)gmail(dot)com and my name is Diwakar Wankhede. I will be writing to you via email too so that you will come to know that I have commented on your blog post.
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