Lockdown

When lockdown started, I started off with a poverty mentality, thinking that I wouldn’t have enough to see me through. Not knowing how long lockdown would last, I started buying more groceries than I would normally do each week. I was fearful of the future as many were uncertain about the security of their jobs. What if I did not have enough money? What if I did not have enough food for my family? At that time I was so self absorbed in me and my needs that I failed to look at the people around me.

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1 John 3:17 

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?

As time went on, our relationship with our neighbours grew as we chatted over the fence. I was able to offer help with various needs as they were shielding and isolated from the outside world. I even shared some scones I had baked…..despite wanting to keep them all for me and my family! This one simple act opened up the floodgates of kindness between us. We exchanged warm freshly baked bread, shared basic commodities like flour and eggs and spent hours chatting over the fence. This was the love of God in action, but why had it taken a pandemic for me to have noticed the need of this neighbour, and others?

Why has it taken a pandemic for me to appreciate the person serving me at our local shop, the postal worker delivering my mail, my neighbour in need, my co-worker, the NHS or police or anyone in any serving capacity for that matter?  The truth is we all need each other and we should all value and appreciate and affirm each other. This is what makes each and everyone of us feel loved and appreciated, giving us a purpose and a reason to live.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3-4

Fast forward a few months and I am so grateful for so many things. God has sustained me and been my provision and my hope. I have a God that will never leave me nor forsake me and has good plans for me. I have a supportive and loving family. I have friends that will stick by me through thick and thin and I have found new friendships. I have developed new skills. I have had more food than I needed. 

I believe during this lockdown God has given me time….time to reset the clock, time to think about others, time to change, time to rest, time to spend with Him.

What have you done with your time?