“With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” – Ephesians 4:2-3
Yesterday, my husband planted fruit trees with my daughter and granddaughter. Later, my daughter worked out with her girls. My son-in-law took time off from work to have lunch with his family. I helped another granddaughter dissect turkey hearts for a science lab. My husband and son-in-law worked to livestream our church’s midweek service. Just another day in our self-isolation!
There are six people in my immediate family, and we cover three generations in my house. We have two young teens, two adults, and two seniors living together under one roof. My family has practiced self-isolated now for two weeks, and honestly, it’s been fine. How do we do it? Well, we all have the same Father, and one way we honor Him is to co-exist as a family in harmony. God is the center of each of our lives, and we try to “do what Jesus would do” in our relationships with one another every day.
It’s not always an easy task by any means, but it’s doable when we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us. It is He that keeps us in the bond of peace. Do we ever get cross with one another? Sometimes, but we have learned to “forebear one another in love, endeavoring to keep unity,” all through the power of God’s Holy Spirit. We respect one another; we listen to one another, and we try to be kind to one another. “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)
We have chosen to make this time profitable for all of us. One day, this pandemic will just be a fading memory, but until then, we will continue to make the best of it and enjoy our time together. There is no other group of people with whom I would rather be self-isolated than my family. I am truly blessed!
There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Savior above.
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need:
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.
(from “There Shall Be Showers of Blessings” by Daniel W. Whittle)
“And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;” – Isaiah 32:18
**********
We all can survive this virus. All we need to do is stay close to Jesus!