We all experience many frustrations during lock-down, but one of the big positives is that we have a lot of time to be still – well, sort of!
Yesterday, I woke up at 7:30 am, which is pretty normal for me on a weekend. I enjoyed a cup of coffee outside, with the warm sun on my face as it began to heat the earth.
At 9 am, I decided that it was the perfect day to take a run/walk to the shop. Saturdays would have always been my day for a big run (8 km’s would be a big run for me), but during lock-down, a run to the shop would be a real treat.
So, with my list, my credit card and my backpack on my back, I headed out. I have never been happier! The freedom of going for a walk after 3 weeks of lock-down was truly sensational. The shops were only about 2,5 km away so it wasn’t a long run but every step felt like a journey to freedom! It is in the open spaces that I have always felt more connected to God.
The trip back wasn’t nearly as fast because of the heavy load that I was carrying – but it was still worth every effort.
At home, we disinfected and packed away the groceries, and then sat down to another cup of coffee. The rest of the day was made up of a whole lot of nothing. Chatting to a friend on the phone, throwing together a simple lunch, made up of left-overs from last night and then a whole lot more relaxing.
A simplified life. Totally relaxing. Utterly enjoyable. This is what I have been trying to achieve for so long, but outside of a lock-down, we would never just sit still and stay home – there would be so many offers of things to do, and we’d be on the go, on the go, on the go.
How wonderful it is, to just sit!
YET, even in this time of ‘peace and quiet’, there is also so much to be done.
Many of us usually have someone come in and help with housework, but now we now have to do it ourselves.
I have been homeschooling since the start of the year, so nothing has changed there, but now with the schooling, the cooking and cleaning, and then also trying to do some work on the side, it doesn’t leave much time for relaxing during the week. And also does not leave much time for quietness with God.
And then I received this written quote, from one of the ladies in our Book Club.
‘This is why God comes to woman’
Author: Heather Farrell. Written: 12 April 2020
Have you ever noticed how in the scriptures men are always going up into the mountains to commune with the Lord?
Yet in scripture we hardly ever hear of woman going to the mountains and we know why – right?
Because the woman were too busy keeping life going! they couldn’t abandon babies, meals, homes, fires, gardens and a thousand responsibilities to make the climb into the mountains.
I was talking to a friend the other day, saying that as a modern woman, I feel like I’m never ‘free’ enough from my responsibilities, never in a quiet enough or holy enough spot, to have the type of communion I want with God.
Her response floored me …..
‘That is why God comes to woman. Men have to climb the mountain to meet God, but God comes to the woman wherever they are.’
I have been pondering on her words for weeks and have searched the scriptures to see if what she said is true.
God does indeed come to woman where they are, when they are doing their ordinary, everyday work. He meets them at the wells where they draw water for their families, in their homes, in their kitchens, in their gardens.
He comes to them as they sit beside sickbeds, as they five birth, care for the elderly and perform necessary mourning and burial rites.
Even at the empty tomb, Mary was the first for witness Christ’s resurrection. She was there because she was doing the woman’s chore of properly preparing Christ’s body for burial.
In these seemingly mundane and ordinary tasks, these woman of the scriptures found themselves face to face with divinity.
So – if you, like me – ever start to bemoan the fact that you don’t have as much time to spend ‘in the mountains with God’ as you would like …
Remember that God comes to you!
He knows where we are and the burdens we carry. He sees us and if we open our eyes and our hearts we will see Him, even in the most ordinary places and in the most ordinary things!
In this lock-down, we need to find new ways to feel connected to God.
When life is quiet, but still quite busy, don’t be despondent. If your’e not finding the time or ‘peace’ to disappear and be still before God, remember …. He will come to you! He will meet you where you are at – whether it’s doing dishes or making a meal or mopping the floor or even preparing a lesson. You can lift your eyes up, right there, and say Yes God, I am listening. You can quietly pray to him and sing to him. Turn your soul to him and let Him refresh you and fill you and encourage you.
Fill your home with worship music and let His presence be all around. So in the busy-ness, you will still feel refreshed and renewed.
Be blessed, during this time that is different and a challenge for all.