My routine is gone. I don’t get up in the mornings and take my kids to school, but they still have schoolwork to do at home. I don’t have to report to my job at a particular time, but I still have work that needs to get done. I don’t have church activities during the week, but I’m still responsible for the spiritual growth of my children. It’s different. My kids are with me all day long. We can’t get together with our friends for playdates. We don’t just run into the grocery store anymore. Restaurants are off limits unless it’s takeout. For a person who thrives on a plan and routine, my whole world has been thrown for a loop.

            The overwhelming reality of everything hit me this weekend. Life felt out of control as I tried to wrap my brain around the newness of it all. So, I did what any woman who feels their world falling apart would do: I cleaned! I did laundry. I scrubbed the kitchen. I cleaned out the refrigerator. I made the bed. I did anything I could to feel like I was in control of my world, if only for a few moments.

            As I cleaned, I tried to visualize what this new season of my life might look like. Suddenly, it dawned on me that my time was basically my own. I had no pressing commitments and I could create whatever schedule I wanted to make. I could work on getting to bed earlier and waking up earlier. I could actually get some projects done that had been on the backburner for way too long. I could try some new recipes that I never had time to look up before. I could schedule reading time into our days and actually read a grownup book while my kids were reading their own books. I could get into a better habit of daily exercise by walking around the farm or on the county-maintained bike trail. I could spend quality time with my kids and husband that we don’t usually get because we are always so tied down with commitments.

            Quickly my insides settled down as a fresh hope began to rise. Maybe this season of quarantine is exactly what I need. Instead of this being a time where I feel trapped and constrained, maybe this can actually be a season of freedom and growth. Maybe I can start new routines that create a better and healthier world for my family. Maybe instead of looking at this as a time where I can’t get out, I can look at this as a God-given time of rest and refreshment at home and with Him. Maybe there are some neglected areas of self-care that I can focus on and improve. Maybe I can work on being still, slowing down, listening, and resting for a change. Maybe this new quarantined routine wasn’t going to be so bad after all.

            So, how does your outlook need to change as we venture into the next several weeks? Do you need a fresh look at all of this newness flying your way? Step back and try to find the positive that is mixed in with all the pandemonium. Maybe this is just the time God has for you to stretch your wings and try something new. Don’t waste away during this season of quarantine. Let’s come out on the other side as better people than when we entered. Let’s make our new quarantined routine the best season we have had in a long time.