You guessed it: COVID-19

This morning, I made a mexicorn chip dip (I don't know what else to call it...here's a recipe that's kinda close to the one I use).  I'd made it for small group a few weeks ago, and it really hit the spot.  We rarely keep chips or dip in the house just for us, so when I made it today, Jacob asked, "Where should we take it?" and I felt called out by a toddler for making chip dip just for us.

Later in the morning, we took a drive...just to drive...because I thought maybe I'd forget how to operate a vehicle.  The only plan I had was to drive by a school bus parking lot, but we also lucked out with a garbage truck sighting, construction equipment, and roads I'd never traveled.  Highlights, all around.

We also spent several minutes today repeating the following:
Jacob "played" with my hair, putting it in my face like Cousin Itt.
I pretended I couldn't see him and blew the hair out of my face.
He belly-laughed.
We did it all again...over and over.

This afternoon, I was nearly in tears over a video from a local bakery announcing they'll be giving away their homemade sandwich bread for free till the state of emergency in KC is lifted.  I didn't let myself get to tears (though I was close) thinking about the potential repercussions if not everyone takes this thing seriously...for those individuals and for society, at large.

Everything is weird and confusing, yet strangely peaceful and calm.

This is Day 6 of our own self-quarantine.  We'd all been under the weather in various ways last week, so had already been "distancing" ourselves when the COVID-19 restrictions started being put into place.  (Bryant is still working.)  Jacob and I were supposed to be visiting friends in Lincoln this week - I had a spreadsheet, and everything...it was all going to work out so perfectly. 

While I'm suuuuper sad to not have been able to take this trip, I'm surprisingly content to be at home, at this point.  I think this is mostly due to the fact that there's literally nothing going on that I/we are missing out on, so my FOMO hasn't kicked in.  I also think I'm such a rule-follower that I don't want to get "in trouble" or be part of the problem. 

I'm thankful that this "staying home" thing isn't far from our normal day-to-day.  Jacob has been a champ, so far, and has stopped asking, "Where should we go today?" each morning (he's used to going somewhere pretty much every day in normal circumstances, so this was a normal breakfast-time conversation), so that definitely makes this more bearable.  While we had several regular weeknight social activities and tried to diversify weekdays pre-pandemic, we also have an arsenal of toys and activities to rotate through and have had prior practice doing so.  This has been such a blessing, and I'm only sorry to not be able to offer to share toys or host playdates for those working from home and/or figuring out how to entertain a toddler for days on end (I'm no expert - just have some experience and resources).  I'm also so thankful for technology and the ability to "see" and talk to family and friends while we can't do so in person.  It's pretty amazing.

That's all I'm going to say on this, for now.  I know I probably have more words, but I haven't found them, yet...this is already more than I thought I'd have to say.  I mostly wanted to document this for posterity's sake, as usual, but also as usual, welcome your thoughts and comments.  ☺

God is good.  People are good.  We'll be fine.  But in the meantime, it's ok to not be totally fine with all this.  It's unprecedented and strange and while literally everyone is in the same boat, we're all dealing with it in different ways...and that's ok, too. 

Prayerfully,
Kensy

Favorites of the day:

my handy husband

the Marco Polo app

Annie F. Downs' podcast...esp. her quarantine episodes

Varying degrees?

Hey all!  Hope you haven't blown away in this wind...yikes!


I've had pieces of this post written for quite awhile.  I wasn't sure whether or not I'd ever actually make it public, but I was "nudged" to do so in Sunday school today (by God...not a physical nudge☺).


Disclaimer: Some of this may offend some of you, and that is not my intention.  I'm also not out to start an argument about what I think is Biblically right and wrong.  I'm simply sharing my own thoughts and reflections.  I'd welcome some healthy discussion if you have anything to add after reading!  ☺


The following lists are by no means comprehensive - just what first comes to mind.


Things society thinks are wrong:
murder
adultery
stealing
cheating
lying


Things I think are wrong:
all of the above
homosexuality
premarital sex
drunkenness
cursing


Things God thinks are wrong (based on my own knowledge of Him):
all of the above
gossip
using His name in vain
gluttony
lust
putting other things before Him


The difference between these three categories is this:
Society, and myself included, views these "things that are wrong" in varying degrees.  There is a far higher punishment for murder than there is for cheating.  I am quicker to judge a criminal over a couple who may have had sex before marriage.  For God, however, all of these "wrongs" - these sins - are equal.  An adulterer is going to face the same judgement as the person who spread a rumor about a coworker.  Someone who leaves without paying the check is ultimately going to be judged in the same light as a pedophile.


Did you catch that word I used to describe how I react to people who have done these wrong things?  I said "I am quicker to judge a criminal over a couple who may have had sex before marriage."  Judge.  That's not what I'm called to do!  That's not what anyone is called to do.  In fact, I should add "judging others" to the list of things God thinks are wrong.  It is not our job to condemn others in any situation.  Rather, and I think I've said this in an earlier post, we are called to love others.    Of course, in answering the call to do so, we're held to a higher standard and asked to live as examples of Christ.  Christ loves everyone, though...and so should we.  Perhaps you're familiar with all the times He was in fellowship with sinners?  We don't have to go far to follow this particular example He set.  We're in fellowship with sinners everywhere - at work, at church, at family gatherings, at home.  The key to Christ's example, however, is to find the sinners who may not recognize their sin or their need for repentance.  Again, though - this doesn't mean we approach them, point out their sin, tell them they'd better confess "or else," and walk away.  Have you ever heard the phrase "Love the sinner, not the sin?"  It goes hand-in-hand with "Hate the sin, not the sinner."  We are to develop relationships with those around us, Christian or not, and again, be an example of Christ's love.  If the Holy Spirit "nudges" you to present the Gospel to someone in the meantime, by all means, take the opportunity!  If your Christ-like example is simply to help someone carry groceries to their car, though, don't take it lightly.  Take every opportunity to show others the "love that surpasses all understanding."


I could reference plenty of Bible verses to back these thoughts up, but I'm going to let you draw from your own experiences to interpret where I'm coming from and perhaps do some research on your own if you're questioning anything.  Please feel free to let me know if you find anything that goes against what I've presented here.


I realize some of you reading this may not have any knowledge of the Bible or Christianity in general.  Some of you may disagree with everything you just read.  Some of you may have tons of questions.  Some of you may not care, period.  Either way, please let me know if you have any questions at all!  If I can't answer them, I'll help you find someone who can.


As usual, thanks for reading!  I know this was a pretty heavy post in comparison to others.  It's all coming from the same place, though - my heart.  ☺


Humbly,
Kensy

Favorites of the day:

Jim Brickman

my nap with Charlie on the couch a little bit ago

having time to make a real meal tonight

Just Dance and time with friends

*EDIT: After reading this, I'd love for you to also read the following two posts:

"Follow-up...and potatoes : )"

"Might as well go for 3!"