I’ll be honest, it feels very strange to be creating YouTube videos and writing blog posts in the midst of this “new normal”. Everything feels unsure and difficult. There are shortages of household supplies everywhere and my kids are home from school for a solid month. There is stress and anxiety everywhere I look. I’ll admit, it’s a lot to deal with. But, leaning into my faith is the only way I know how to cope. So, I am very thankful that our church has planned ways for us to stay connected. Our most recent sermon was on the book of “Haggai” and I really enjoyed adding my notes into my journaling Bible:
I started this page by drawing something in my Bible that I never imagined I would draw…toilet paper. I don’t think anything else encompasses the feelings of anxiety and scarcity any more than toilet paper. As of Friday, March 13th, there was no toilet paper to be found in any grocery stores near me. People were panicking and the only thing that was in their control was stocking up on “essentials”. So, that is what people did. Their priorities all of a sudden became super skewed and toilet paper shot to the top of the list.
The book of Haggai actually involves a slightly similar situation. The Israelites were returning to Israel after having been exiled in Babylon. They were faced with a “new normal” and some panic ensued. They were unsure of their circumstances so they grasped on to the things they felt they could control. They concentrated on building (and embellishing) their own homes. They gathered food and clothing that was far surpassing their needs, but yet still didn’t feel satisfied. They strived to earn more and more wages, yet stored them in a “purse with holes”. Their priorities were out of whack.
Haggai urged the Israelites to think carefully on their ways. They had the ability to reorganize and reprioritize. They had been exiled for disobedience before, but now they had a chance to put their faith first. He urged them to put their focus on rebuilding their temple, the center of the faith, the place where God would dwell among them.
We also have a similar opportunity! In the midst of this fear and chaos, we have an opportunity to re-evaluate our priorities and move faith to the front and center. We get the chance to thoughtfully reflect on our ways. We are being told to stay home and rest. To reset everything. It’s hard for sure. I am definitely someone that enjoys routine and was perfectly happy with the fast pace of the life that my family was living. But, this is certainly giving us a chance to reflect, and I will take it!
I hope that this post finds you and your family safe and healthy. Let me know how you all are coping with this new normal…I’d really love to hear from you!
Keep it creative,
-The Scrappy Wife
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