Life has looked so different since March. Once Covid hit, everything changed. Most people have hated the new normal. I for one have LOVED it.

I loved the time at home.

I loved the time with my children.

I loved that life slowed down.

I loved that people were 6 feet away from me in checkout lines and in stores.

I loved eating out less & having meals at home.

I loved the conversations I got to have with my children.

I loved sleeping in and staying up late.

I loved board games.

I loved group text messages with my best girlfriends.

I loved car rides just to get out of the house.

I loved afternoons sitting on my parents porch.

I loved days at the pool.

I loved Netflix binging.

I loved way too many pumpkin muffins!!!!

I LOVED being with my children 24/7.

I LOVED the gifts that Covid gave me!!

During this season of quarantine, I was able to spend a lot more time devoted to self discovery. I spent more time in the Word. I spent more time in prayer. I spent a lot of time looking at my life and acknowledging the areas that needed some change, the areas that were broken, truly broken. After countless therapy sessions via ZOOM, (GOD bless my therapist, LOL) journaling, making lists, praying and seeking God’s direction, I feel like I am starting to know myself better than I ever have. I learned so much, not just about myself, but about life in general.

I have learned I can live with a LOT less than I thought I could.

I have learned that I blow WAY too much money.

I have learned that peace of mind is worth more than I realized.

I have learned I was overwhelmed.

I have learned that there are very few things that require my IMMEDIATE attention other than my family.

I have learned that time doesn’t stop, but sometimes we NEED to slow down.

I have learned that naps are LIFE!!!!

I have learned that I spend too much of my time people pleasing.

I have learned that unresolved grief manifests in unbecoming and unpleasant behavior..

I have learned that it is not selfish to take care of myself.

I have learned that when I am stressed, tired, or scared I am short fused.

I have learned that survivors guilt is real, and I was stuck right in the middle of it.

I have learned that God is so patient, kind, graceful, and loving…even when I am not.

I have learned that I am still just a hot mess, but God has not given up on me and He never will.

I have learned that I feel everything…very deeply…and most of the time I take everything too personally.

I have learned that when God said He doesn’t remember our sin once we become His, He meant that. Sadly the world doesn’t forget. But what is covered under the blood…Praise Jesus, it doesn’t exist anymore.

I have learned that I am worthy of being loved.

I have learned that I am precious to Jesus.

I have learned that it is perfectly ok to say “No”.

I have learned that boundaries are not only important, they are NECESSARY.

I have learned that there is so much more to life than the things that I was spending my time focusing on.

I have learned it is okay to do nothing some days.

I have learned that my children do NOT have to be busy or involved in a sport every season to be happy.

I have learned that the broken pieces of my life are not useless, they have purpose. I have learned that God wants to use those broken pieces to help others who are now walking the through the same desolate place we have walked through.

I know that most people have hated the time of quarantine, and yes I will admit that there were aspects of it that were at times not easy. I missed being with my people, I missed being at Church. The fear of the unknown always brings some frustration and anxiety for me. However, I will forever be grateful for the lessons I have learned during this season, for the opportunity to slow down and realize what really matters.

Even though this season has been a gift for me, I am keenly aware that this has been a season of great sadness for many others. There are those who have fought and are still fighting severe sickness, some have struggled financially, some have lost loved ones. My heart hurts for those who this season has been less than kind to. I am reminded of a time when the girls and I went through some of those same struggles and experienced those same losses. During those times, I felt like we would never laugh again, I was afraid we would never again experience true joy. But God!!!! HE has and continues to carry us through every storm. He has proven faithful on every occasion. My prayer is that those who are walking through a tough season right now feel His comfort, peace, provision, and sovereignty even when it hurts the most.

I am reminded of Matthew 14, where Jesus fed the multitude with five loaves and two fish. He blessed the food, broke it and gave it to the disciples to give to the crowds. What a beautiful picture of ministry. What He gives to us in this life, we are to use to help others, serve others, love them through the hard places. It says that after they all ate and were satisfied, the disciples picked up 12 full baskets of broken pieces. I happen to be most thankful for the broken pieces. Those broken parts in my life, just like the broken pieces that fed the multitude, still have value, still have purpose, God still uses those pieces. We may not always see it in the middle of the storm, we may not even want to see it when the moment presents itself and God wants to use our broken piece to help others, but if we will let Him, He will use all the pieces of our lives, especially the broken pieces.

He is such a good Father!

Love, Lori