Months ago when I selected last week’s writing workshop topic, Uncovering a New Version of You, I had no idea the world would be turned upside down with an unseen enemy virus, COVID-19. This will certainly be a spring season to remember. Just as the tragedy of 911 reshaped our nation in ways we never imagined, so we’re in for a second shaping. This time, the whole world is feeling the effects.
A few weeks ago, this new version of ourselves was introduced with the fanfare of fear and the unknown. I had never noticed the term “social distancing” before and certainly didn’t practice it. There was no way to anticipate the shutdown of our entire nation. I never dreamed I would see masked citizens and closed playgrounds with police tape wrapped around park benches to avoid sitting.
Every form of entertainment is shut down except for walking and even that has the apocalyptic mark of this new “beast.” The other day, my daily walk was stopped by the police and I was asked to leave.
“Sorry Lady, this campus is closed for walking due to the virus.”
I didn’t understand the connection between walking outside and the virus but…
Everything has been turned upside down and taken to an extreme.
So, what is the New Version of Ourselves we see now? Have weeks of isolation at home changed or taught us anything? Have we become kinder, more compassionate or more self-absorbed and depressed only sinking lower and lower into the couch?
I think the hardest aspect of what we’re all facing now, is the atmosphere created by the unknown. That’s a perfect breeding ground for not just a virus to attack, but dread and fright to settle in and grab us by the neck. Our media with a drum beat of death numbers and virus spreading, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, doesn’t help matters.
I want to hear the good news. I want to know about people that weren’t as sick as they thought and their story of getting well. I need to know that the numbers of infected people in my state are small and getting smaller. But that kind of news doesn’t “sell.”
Mostly, I want all this to be over.
So, what’s the plan to keep positive and not panic concerning our current state of affairs? In the beginning, I was sure all my closets and garage would be cleaned out and I was positive I could start writing my next book, what with all the forced time at home I was now facing.
But I’ve done nothing.
I don’t know about you, but my days of isolation pass quickly, even though I can’t seem to get my energy and my head to match. I’m having trouble getting motivated to do much more than eat often and have happy hour. The projects I do start are mostly in my imagination while I sit on the couch and think about getting them started. It’s hard to concentrate on more than the Hallmark movie that I’ve already watched four times.
But one thing is certain. In all this whirlwind of clamped down isolation, I’m not fearful.
I know there is an end in sight.
Even if I can’t see it, I know someone who does. My faith in God has grown bigger given this situation we’ve all been thrown into. I know He saw the beginning of the pandemic and knows the ending. When in the history of time has the entire world been paused, shut down, or recalculated? Never. (Unless you count the 7th day of creation.)
There’s something bigger going on here, another layer besides fighting a wicked virus. I think God is shaking the nations. We’ve become too soft, too self-centered and too busy. Our focus has shifted away from the things that matter, especially eternally. We’ve been given a time to reset our priorities and goals. But mostly, our whole world has been given a whisper in the storm by God, calling us to take this time of quiet to hear His voice.
I want to be all ears. I don’t care if my spring cleaning waits for another year or my next book has a different time table. Let’s not miss the grander picture of these days of uncertainty while we stay at home.
Soon our days will get back to a new normal, whatever that looks like, and the business and drumbeat of life will again play loudly.
I encourage you to not miss the lessons waiting for you during this season of life-pause. God always has a new thing for us and that includes a new version of you too.
It’s not a mistake that we are here at a time like this.
~ Janet
P.S. - The next FREE creative journaling class on the topic of “Cultivating Growth” will be Sunday, April 10th at 8 pm Eastern / 7 pm Central / 5 pm Pacific - CLICK THIS LINK TO JOIN US VIA ZOOM