Last night was Family Night. As you may know, after the stroke, I really cherish our Family Nights. It’s the only time that my kids, my wife, and I, can all sit down together and enjoy quality time face to face. Now you might think that under the governor’s mandate to stay at home, we would have a lot of family time. Actually, it is quite the contrary. Ironically, our kids (IMHO) have too many material blessings. You all have been so kind and generous, showering our kids with gifts, that they absolutely adore staying at home. They have so much in terms of distractions and diversions that they don’t need Mommy and Daddy unless it’s to put out the occasional fire and bring a fragile balance of peace to some seething preschool conflict. On one hand, we are very blessed that when they play together, they can lose themselves in their imaginary world of Paw Patrol, Battlebots, Legos, and Play-Doh. The only problem is, there is less time for Daddy. Yes, I admit that I get restless and really miss going out with the family. I guess we all have to adjust.
This last week, my solution … COOKIES! We baked cookies together (though I refrained from eating any). Even though there were chocolate chips, we did sneak in some healthy whole oats and whole wheat and reduced the amount of sugar. By hook or by crook, I’m determined to get some healthy food into our kids, even if I have to resort to clandestine measures! Next, we will try cupcakes impregnated with carrots and zucchini. I am glad that if I’m forced to stay at home, at least I’m stuck with people I love.
Still, with the ever-changing “Bizarro” world we live in, as well as the ominous mandates flying from the lips of our government leaders, how can we navigate these uncertain waters with an even keel? As serendipity would have it, both my mother-in-law and a dear friend independently called to encourage us with the exact same passage. May this be an anchor of assurance for us all as we sail through whatever storm God has for us.
Psalm 91
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”[…]
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent […]
14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”