Morning Cuppas With Glenys : Quarantine

Showing posts with label Quarantine. Show all posts

Until the indignation be overpast

Most of us are spending a lot of time at home these days under stay at home laws to stop the spread of the Covid 19. In fact, we here in Melbourne Australia have been lifted to Stage 4 as the numbers of fresh infections increases. Now obviously this is going to make us more weary of the isolation, but it is what it is...

Instead of being frustrated or angry, let us resolve to make the most of this situation and try to find some postitive aspects of this enforced isolation in our homes. This is a time for family to be close together. Let us try to make our homes a sanctuary from the world's trouble and mayhem. So let us deck the halls of our home and heart...

Let us make sure we keep our homes clean and aired.
Let us try to stay to a routine that gives us time to teach our children.
Let us remember that our children will be picking up and hearing fearful information, so let us be particularly loving with them.
Let us make meals that not only fill our family's stomach, but nourish them. Give them something to look forward to at meal times.
Let us be loving with our husband- chances are he has worries about employment and like you, is concerned about how to stretch the finances and keep the roof over your head and food on the table.
Let us try to avoid speaking constantly about the ills of this current state of the world in front of the children. They may be young, but they will take in a lot of fear. If the parents are afraid, then for them, it is the end of the world.
Let us limit watching the news as this is bound to effect everyone. Limit news to finding out directly what you need to know and turn it off.
Let us watch uplifting videos, especially with our children and let's play with them. Make a cubby house and let your children be the Mum and you the child. Use your imagination and delight them.
Let us put our little ones into the bath and sit alongside them, singing songs and telling stories and blowing bubbles with them.
Let us have a sense of calm and peace in our home, for everyone to enjoy.
Let us be particularly attentive and available to our spouse and fan the flames of romance. It works wonders for a marriage.
Let us sit at table and teach the little ones etiquette, and have the table set nicely to make it a time of pleasure and unity.
Let us continue with a daily nightly bedtime routine for the children and keep regular sleeping hours.
Let us pray with our children at night as they go to bed, allowing them to know that God loves them, watches out for them and calls all the stars by name. Invite discussion of any worries so that they can be reassured and sleep better.
Let us keep up with our own appearance and hygiene, for that will make us feel more like we can cope.
Let us use the fine crockery, tableware, cloth serviettes and silver utensils. Drag out the best linen and softest towels and celebrate home and family.
Let us remember to pray for others, particularly for those for whom isolation means domestic violence. Have this link on hand for help if you or someone you know needs protection and advice.
Let us remember to keep close to the LORD Who has gone to prepare a place for us, and is coming to take us Home with Him soon.

Let us deck our halls and hearts with faith, love, peace, joy and hope...until the indignation be overpast

Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. Isaiah 26:20

Overcoming agoraphobia.

Years ago I suffered from a dreadful condition where leaving my home was a cause for panic and anxiety. It's name is agoraphobia. I overcame it, but it has reared its' ugly head once more.

With the Corona Virus instilling in us a fear of being too near people, being diligent with hand washing etc in order to stay safe, and staying at home because of Rona, I have found it has exacerbated my agoraphobic tendencies.

I get clammy going into a supermarket or even going to the Post Office. Some days I have to force myself to leave the house and I will get Chris to handle things for me if possible.

Living in the fifth wheeler for six months and ending up housebound because of my torn meniscus didn't help me either. It took a lot of effort to get out of the staying at home habit when we first resumed renting. But I won, and by beating it then, I know I can do it again.

When we are asked to stay home, it does not present any great problem to me. In fact, the only problem with this whole virus thing is that I can't see my family. But that won't last forever. They will be able to come to me.

My agoraphobia will not last forever: with prayer and forcing myself to gradually leave the house for longer periods, I will overcome it. But it takes a lot of prayer and determination. But with time it can be done.

I am afraid that when we are finally over Covid 19 and able to leave our homes, that I will be so used to being home that I will prefer it. Our agoraphobia must be tamed in order to have quality of life, for if given into, it will turn your home into a prison.

"The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him, Who shelters him all the day long; And he shall dwell between His shoulders." Deuteronomy 33:12

In quietness comes strength

With all that is going on in the world today, I find, like millions of others that I have a lot of time on my hands.

We have been in lockdown for six months now and I wish I could say in all honesty that I am not feeling the strain. I miss my family.

At first it wasn't so hard- staying at home was fun, but after a month my cooking and baking became old news.

Grateful that I am for chat and Face time, not seeing my grown children and grandchildren in person became stale.

Last night we were informed that we will be in lockdown for another three weeks at least. I must confess I went in to grieving mode.

I had a good cry, and talked to the LORD and I had to repent of self pity. Goodness knows, I personally have not had someone close to me die of Covid 19. Or taken their life because of unbearable losses.

If we have to be quarantined, then I can not think of a nicer place to be than my own home. I had to confess also that I have lost sight of the bigger picture and focused only on the immediate problems.

My spirit had become disturbed and my peace was gone. I had to lay this at Jesus's feet and then replace it with a renewed mind and heart.

So I resolved to stop dwelling on what I have lost and be thankful for what I have- which outweighs the negatives 100 fold.

I have returned with renewed appreciation for the scriptures I read every day on trust and hope and love.

God has renewed and refreshed my thinking and I know it is through the Holy Spirit that my help has come.

With taking my thoughts into the captivity of Christ, my life has taken a turn for the better. My peace has returned.

If you too are feeling despondent and disturbed, take it to God Who knows our hearts anyway and leave it there with Him.

In exchange, He will lead you into green pastures and give you rest. In quietness comes strength.

For thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: “ In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15

Dying for a hug

Ever since childhood, I have been a person who loves close contact. I needed to be loved, but sadly that was something that I longed for, but never received as a child, then as a young adult.

Now nearly 70 years old, I have been diagnosed with depression, post traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder and fibromyalgia, to which there is a link with childhood abuse.

Like trying to lose weight after taking medications for hyothyroidism, my current happy marriage and constant hugs and demonstrative affection, has not been able to erradicate the damage that was done in my childhood.

Open affection was something denied to me until I left my abusive husband after 25 years of hell and met Chris. During the 4 years between leaving my ex husband and meeting and marrying Chris, I felt so very alone.

I was never alone, not even in the womb, and being solo was strange and difficult for me. I was enveloped by a loneliness that draped itself around my shoulders like a wet soggy cloak of despair.

The only physical contact I had was at church, where we passed the peace, hugged our friends and received a chaste kiss on the cheek. I lived for that brief time every week.

I have read of an experiment that denied newborns affection, and each of the babies died. Perhaps this lack of affection was something that effected adults too. I know it was a big part in my becoming pregnant at 16, taken in by a man who told me he loved me. He started his abuse as soon as the ink dried on the marriage certificate and still continued (long distance) even after the ink dried on the divorce papers.

It is a blessing that Chris knows all my past and understands me, for even today I cannot bear to be outside at night. This is due to the fact that we often had to vacate our warm beds in the early hours of the morning with Dad chasing us in a drunken state, throwing beer bottles at us as we fled. Once it gets night, I feel anxious if I am not home and settled.

I am talking to you about this not for pity but a warning that hugs, kisses, cuddles, affectionate voices and other demonstrations of love is critical for a child's development. To give a child a happy childhood peppered with demonstrations of love and oodles of hugs is the best thing you can give them- more important than expensive toys.

During this enforced staying at home, let's make an effort to be demonstrative in our affections. Let's hug our children often, hold hands with our husband and nurture the need for touch and feeling loved.

"But what if my husband is not the affectionate sort?" you ask. Love him anyway, even if he is surprised by it. It will benefit not only your marriage, but your children. And who knows, you might even find that underneath the hesitation to show affection, he is starved for it, and is dying for a hug.

Titus 2:4-5 “That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children. To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”

Loveliness is all around us

I love this painting as it reminds me of our little country home. We too have a little stream at the back of our house and we like to sit in the yard watching the birds and listening to the water.

If the weather is cold, I find our couch is like the beach- with the afternoon sun coming in and the sliding door open, we can hear the stream bubbling and the birds calling and it feels exactly like being on the beach.

With all that is happening in the world today, I find it is even more important than ever to dwell on things that are good, pretty or helpful. It takes effort to find good things, but it can be done.

I like to play worship music in the background and I love to be grateful for what I do have. I keep in touch with my family via FB or phone and this helps keep my spirits up.

We try not to watch too much news and I have started limiting my time on FaceBook because a lot of the things there are not uplifting.

With fibromyalgia rearing its ugly head again in a massive flare, I find that I have to search harder for beauty and staying upbeat.

Prayer is a very big part of a Christian's life, and I find that by praying about things definitely helps my mental as well as spiritual health.

In spite of ill health and happenings in the world, it is important to train your thoughts into looking for the good in the world and dwelling on them.

All my life, I have loved Philippians 4:8 which speaks of focusing on whatsoever things are good. It is my life verse and over 40 years of loving Christ, it has been a real Godsend.

Take a look around you at all the lovely things: in spite of a troubled world, there is still loveliness around us.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8

Sure dwelling places

Have you ever sat in your home and been grateful for the security of your home and the softness of your sofa?

Outside the winds blow coldly and the rain falls and people scurry around with masked faces and tension permeates the world.

Some are under restrictions of a curfew during the night hours as a pestilence brews and seeks to encompass all.

But inside our home, all is calm. The fire glows brightly and a meal bubbles on the stove enticing family members to dine at a well set table.

The drapes are drawn and the lamps are lit and peace reigns in the homes of God's people.

In spite of problems in the world, our homes are sanctuaries where we can find the love of family and a refuge from the various storms of trial outside its' walls.

Our home is as God has said: a peaceful sure home in which to dwell.... and we will close our doors in our peaceful dwelling and leave the world outside- an oasis of calm in a troubled world, a place of refuge until the pestilence passes...

Our home is full of love and trust in God's protection knowing that He has us in the palm of His Hand...

We will be a holy people, in this world, but not of it, a people living in hope and faith and expectation in Christ, and a people perplexed but not forsaken.

Our sure dwelling places are a gift from the LORD and a place of hope and refuge.

On this foundation we can take our rest each night, grateful for God's provision of a quiet resting place, a refuge from pestilence and a sure dwelling.

And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places; Isaiah 32:18

Hanging on for dear life

So my nerves were shot. I had a nervous stomach and acid reflux that burnt the back of my throat. Nightmares held me captive to fear during my sleep and my anxiety levels were sky high.

Like many people in this sad world, I was agonising over Covid 19. Here in Victoria the infection rate is climbing making deaths more commonplace than ever. We are stuck in lockdown with no end in sight, and we are over it.

I have been watching conspiracy theories which seem plausible sometimes, and I have had plenty of time to think. Too much time, actually.

Also, I have been watching Rapture sermons, wanting to understand the signs of Christ's coming for His Church.

Finally, I could no longer bear those thoughts and realised that I had to repent and change my thinking. I had to bring it into the captivity of Christ.

Going into my study, I closed the door and confessed that I had let fear get the better of me. I also confessed that I am trying to work everything out: things that don't really concern me...

I have been a Christian for over 39 years now, and I have had to recognise that I will never work out things that are too deep for our mind.

I used to wonder how God is God- how He could be the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end...

how the world was created- was it in 6 literal days, or days that equalled eons..

how the Blood covers sin- what was the significance of blood in sacrifice?

how the miracles occurred..

how Jesus rose from the dead... and exactly where He went when in the tomb for 3 days?

There were many more questions I wanted answers to, like when Christ is coming for us, and I really tried in my limited reasoning to understand...and in doing so, I lost my peace...

Finally, I decided that some things just have to be taken on faith and by trust in God. How God is God and does the miraculous is beyond me. I just have to trust in Him and believe. That's where faith comes in and brings me peace.

Being faithful and loving God and walking in the Spirit is what God calls me to do- the other stuff, frankly is none of my business.... and like the faith a child, I am going to put my trust in God and His Word.

I am feeling better but you can be sure I will be hanging on to my faith for dear life!

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Corinthians 10:5

Let's deck our halls and hearts

Most of us are spending a lot of time at home these days under stay at home laws to stop the spread of the Corona Virus. In fact, we here in Melbourne Australia have been lifted to Stage 4 as the numbers of fresh infections increases. Now obviously this is going to make us more weary of the isolation, but it is what it is...

Let us make sure we keep our homes clean and aired.
Let us try to stay to a routine that gives us time to teach our children.
Let us remember that our children will be picking up and hearing fearful information, so let us be particularly loving with them.
Let us make meals that not only fill our family's stomach, but nourish them. Give them something to look forward to at meal times.
Let us be loving with our husband- chances are he has worries about employment and like you, is concerned about how to stretch the finances and keep the roof over your head and food on the table.
Let us try to avoid speaking constantly about the ills of this current state of the world in front of the children. They may be young, but they will take in a lot of fear. If the parents are afraid, then for them, it is the end of the world.
Let us limit watching the news as this is bound to effect everyone. Limit news to finding out directly what you need to know and turn it off.
Let us watch uplifting videos, especially with our children and let's play with them. Make a cubby house and let your children be the Mum and you the child. Use your imagination and delight them.
Let us put our little ones into the bath and sit alongside them, singing songs and telling stories and blowing bubbles with them.
Let us have a sense of calm and peace in our home, for everyone to enjoy.
Let us be particularly attentive and available to our spouse and fan the flames of romance. It works wonders for a marriage.
Let us sit at table and teach the little ones etiquette, and have the table set nicely to make it a time of pleasure and unity.
Let us continue with a daily nightly bedtime routine for the children and keep regular sleeping hours.
Let us pray with our children at night as they go to bed, allowing them to know that God loves them, watches out for them and calls all the stars by name. Invite discussion of any worries so that they can be reassured and sleep better.
Let us keep up with our own appearance and hygiene, for that will make us feel more like we can cope.
Let us use the fine crockery, tableware, cloth serviettes and silver utensils. Drag out the best linen and softest towels and celebrate home and family.
Let us remember to pray for others, particularly for those for whom isolation means domestic violence. Have this link on hand for help if you or someone you know needs protection and advice.
Let us remember to keep close to the LORD Who has gone to prepare a place for us, and is coming to take us Home with Him soon.

Whilst we wait for Him, let us deck our halls and hearts with faith, love, peace, joy and hope...

John 14:1-2 Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

My bucket comes up empty

We are living through strange and difficult times and I am a bit depressed because I am going stir crazy at home. We were just seeing a relaxation of the corona restrictions, but there's been an increase in new cases in Victoria, so it's all been tightened again.

I have had to help some family close to me who are depressed and it is depressing me too. I have been finding some time totally alone is helpful for me. No phone, no computer. I just walk down the back garden where there is a seat. I sit there and watch the clouds, listen to the birds and pray.

The scriptures tell us that Jesus often took time away from the needs of the world to pray and recoup. He also encouraged His disciples to do the same. I see no reason why we shouldn't take some time out to recharge our batteries and commune with God and nature.

Does this mean that we are uncaring and selfish? you ask. No- Jesus cared deeply but knew that we need some time out to restore our equilibrium.

If I don't take some time out, I won't be able to serve others and the LORD without losing my calm. Taking some time out is something I need to do or my bucket comes up empty...

And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves. Mark 6:31-44