Looking for Blessings Amid COVID-19

Cities have curfews, some counties are on lockdown, non-essential businesses are being asked to close their doors... This is a strenuous time for several as we prepare to keep one another safe physically and financially. And it can be all too easy to get swept away in the anxiety of it all.

Don't let yourself.

So easy to read, not so easy to practice, right? But seriously.

We are hearing and seeing tons of information about the precautions we should be taking for our physical health, but it's extremely important we remember our mental and spiritual health. Not only for ourselves, but for the examples we are setting for others, including littles that may be running around our legs all day watching our every move.

If you are normally at work but now at home, or perhaps a very socially active person finding yourself forced into anti-social ways, or if just being indoors with the kiddos NONSTOP with no toilet paper is too much... It's time to actively look for blessings amid this COVID-19 problem.

Ask yourself a few things:

• How can this time be used positively?

• Do you have something you need or want to organize?

• Any books you want to read? (Remember the library is online my friends!)

• Have you considered a home workout routine? There are several great, FREE YouTube channels if you want to move along with an instructor (Team Body Project and POPSUGAR Fitness are two), or you can check out the thousands of Pinterest pins with physical health suggestions.

• When was the last time you dedicated yourself to a Bible study? YouVersion and RightNow Media have several great options!

• Any hobbies you are interested in trying, like knitting, juggling, or puzzle-building?

• How often is your family truly ALL together? Is this a rare bonding opportunity for games and discussions?

As someone who is anxiety-prone, this list has been my little helper. My own family has personally been impacted by the business closings in our area. At first, we were concerned how this would affect our financial stability, and overall family plan.

But there is always good news to be found, always blessings to be seen. First, let me set this up by explaining the normal work schedules in our house:

My Husband: works 8 days on, 6 days off.

Me, Myself, & I: work 6 days on (there is always a weekend in there), and 8 days off.

My schedule is the exact opposite of my husband's schedule on purpose. This way our children do not need childcare and are always with a parent.

However! On two of my working days, when I come home, my husband will immediately leave for one of his side jobs and be gone all night at a secondary job. This is to cover the additional income we would normally receive if both of us were working full-time.

But no more. Not since COVID-19 came to town.

Now I actually see my husband. WHAT?

Such a huge blessing in light of this situation! And what's more -- after recalculating our budget (mainly our grocery budget - YIKES), we realized those other jobs were not as necessary as we once believed.

Had we been living the life of "More, more, more" without admitting it to ourselves? I'd always thought us to be such modest people. But COVID-19 has shown me a reality I was blind to in my own home.

In spite of a difficult, anxious time, God has used this opportunity to bring my family closer together. And with this new revelation, I feel a weight lifted. I pray the same for you and yours.

#anxiety #covid19 #blessings #bloggermom #momlife #budget #stress #familytime