A year after the Madrid lockdown, I realize I now own more masks than underwear. A humor comparison ensues…
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I came across this quote recently and boy, does it resonate! It’s basically the reminder I need for every day of 2020. From one day to the next, I don’t know what will happen, and I’ve lost count of things that have been cancelled from my 2020 calendar. As a lifelong “planner” this year has been a total revelation for me of what it means to trust God in the present moment.
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I have these two peace lilies I bought three years ago. I bought them on the same day so I call them “brothers” and the one brother has always been more robust. He grows thicker and taller than his “little brother.” But I was so happy to notice that the little guy has a flower blooming! I love seeing this quarangrowth! And this morning I thought of how God must feel seeing His children blooming and developing right now. Because our current circumstances might be total 💩 but that’s how *fertilizer* works! May it produce some deep spiritual growth in me—things that need to change and grow and blossom, for His glory!
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Day 41 of Madrid lockdown - I’m on a streak! I’ve gotten more than 10k steps for THREE DAYS!
How long do you think I can keep this going? This is taking serious concentrated effort to get these steps in quarantine but I’ve got to MOVE! A big part of my health journey a few years ago was learning to use exercise to handle my emotions and well, this quarantine life got me feeling ALL.the.EMOTIONS. So what do I do? Go back to old ways and unhealthy habits? NO WAY. It’s time to learn how to work this body in that lockdown life! I’ve been trying —and I’ve hit 10k a few times over the past few weeks, but it took 41 days to get a streak going! And I’m sharing my secrets with you right here!
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Over the last few days of this Semana Santa (Holy Week), I’ve been reading and reflecting on Jesus’ final week before the cross. And I found myself thinking about when Jesus was anointed with burial oils in Bethany. In almost every version of that story, the disciples considered the woman’s actions a WASTE. We’re so quick to call “waste” what God is *still redeeming.* For example, the Bible is very clear about redeeming TIME. I mean, most of us would refer to the past month as wasted time. We’ve been in our homes under quarantine. How is that not a waste? Think about the silent Saturday between the Friday cross and the Sunday resurrection. Was it wasted time? Or did it have a redemptive purpose? Could God have a plan to redeem these weeks of lockdown? This global pandemic?
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Teddy Roosevelt is credited with this famous quote, ”Comparison is the thief of joy.” Never has it been more obvious than in my current circumstances because MY quarantine isn’t YOUR quarantine. I could sit around focusing on so many comparisons, but every one of them would steal another little piece of my joy. Another slice of my contentment. Another bite of my peace.
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Day 22. You’ve probably read a few things about how introverts and extroverts are handling this quarantine. Maybe you’ve even seen some funny videos about your Enneagram type in quarantine. But today I want to talk about a different personality type: the TYPE A people. Because yes, I’m a type A person. I like to feel as though I’ve accomplished several specific, concrete tasks each day, and I really love crossing them off a list. But how can a type A person, who loves to live by a planner, organize days in quarantine where nothing is happening and anything might occur unexpectedly? If you’re like me (or you live with someone who is), here’s what helps!
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We are not in easy days here in Madrid. Even while I was recording this video, I got the message that a good friend and coworker went to be with Jesus. But I have faith and hope in God as my ROCK, and that’s the foundation I’m standing on right now. Thank you for your prayers for me and my ministry here.
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Here we are on DAY THIRTEEN of the Madrid lockdown for the Coronavirus. We’ve almost made it through the initial two weeks that they declared for the “State of Alarm” in Spain. But of course, yesterday they announced that Parliament had officially approved the lockdown for TWO MORE WEEKS. I mean, about 90% of this quarantine so far has been fine: my roommate and I, in our yoga pants, having a grand ol’ time while we clean the house, do work via Zoom meetings, and stay active and engaged with everyone via the internet.
But the other 10% of the time….well…the other 10% of the time is being grouchy. It’s lying in bed in the morning, knowing today stretches out ahead of me full of hours to fill with the same things I did yesterday. It’s hiding my tears of frustration or despair, because they don’t help, and I’m ashamed of my own weakness.
But David gives us the secret in Psalm 13. In only six verses, he goes from “How long, O Lord?” to “He has been good to me.”
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¡Muy buenas! (as we say in Madrid) I made a little video today - this one isn't an update per se, but it IS a message of encouragement during these troubled times. And bonus! 💥 You can always share it with anyone who might need a word like this one today!
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