#Spring2020 | Texting the Truth

How can we focus our hearts and minds on whatever is lovely? Is anything excellent right now? Is anything praiseworthy?

In these uncharted waters of a global pandemic that has gone on for over a month now of quarantine, we can get bogged down in our personal pet peeves and stress. Many mamas are so worried about work and safety, they are in a constant state of hypervigilance. I am not sure if you have experienced a loved one contracting Coronavirus or worse, losing their life to the virus, but if you have, the TtT extends our deep love and prayers.

This past week, I have experienced death that is not Corona-related, but the way we have to grieve the loss of these special people makes me ache. For all of you who have lost loved ones NOT Corona-related during the time of social distancing, self isolating, and quarantine, we also extend our prayers to you. Can you imagine having to make a guest list for a funeral, like a wedding, and having to feel as though you may exclude someone who deeply loved the deceased? I cannot imagine how hard that must be. Drive by visitations seem so insufficient. The online guestbooks and Amazon Prime are so nice in times like this, but they still feel impersonal.

Simply put, the only way I know how to survive is to focus on whatever. Whatever is praiseworthy, as Paul writes. Any other focus feels heavy to me. So, in honor of those we know who have suffered with Coronavirus or those who have lost loved ones or their lives recently, why not collectively thank God for the “lovely” in the midst of our mess?

Here is a start on a Gratitude List from our writers with what we are trying to enjoy and think about rather than despair:

- Trampolines
- Sunshine
- Naps
- Hugs from kids
- Bubble baths with the door locked
- 90s boy bands
- Exercise
- Marco Polos with Friends
- Literally not rushing off to the next thing
- Hallmark Movies
- The Today Show
- Candles
- Laughter
- Amazon.com

What are you thankful for right now, Mamas?

Hugs from Jo

Resources to Come Alongside You

Finding God in the Midst of Crisis – Home Training Lesson

Truth to Inhale

Scripture:

Read the Bible… Anywhere, any time you get!

Other Resources:

Don’t try to find them…. Just read the Bible

As all pediatricians tell new moms: Stop Googling it, mom!

Feeling Safe and Stuck at Home at the Same Time from Parent Cue

Finding God in the Midst of Crisis – Home Training Lesson

Songs to encourage you:

Seriously almost any Christian Song applies to this! Just listen to worship music whenever possible. Put it on in the background of your life.

Here are two to start with on Youtube:

Goodness of God – Jenn Johnson

Mighty to Save – Laura Story

Truth to Exhale
Just keep Praying, just keep praying… Just keep praying, praying, praying.?

Laura

I need coffee…

Anna

Hahaha! I need… I don’t know what I need. Coffee may not cut it this morning! I’m not sure if I’m ready to face another homeschooling, homeplaying, home-everything day!

Laura

Home-working. Home-cooking. Home home home… I’m beyond exhausted.

Anna

“The on and onness of it!” Haha — Do you remember Violet Crawley saying that in Downton Abbey?

Laura

Only one of my most favorite lines!! And yes, it does seem to go on and on right now… I mean when will we get back to “normal”?

Anna

I don’t know. I think that’s one of the hard things about it. Not knowing. It was kind-of fun at first, but now it makes me feel cooped-up… even angry at times. And out of control.

Laura

I have totally had my fair share of angry outbursts. And I’ve felt so low some days. Almost, but not quite hopeless. You know all these emotions I’ve been experiencing throughout the last few weeks, they remind me of something.

Anna

What is that?

Laura

Being a new mom.

Anna

Oh! Really?

Laura

Yes, I know that seems funny to say, but there’s a lot of overlap!

Anna

Let’s hear it!

Laura

Ok, so first let me say there were a lot of sweet moments in those first few weeks when my husband was off work and we were together trying to figure out what in the world we were doing as parents. But those were some of the most exhausting and difficult weeks! And that whole first year of adjusting to parenthood was HARD. Figuring this whole shelter in place thing out is maybe even harder.

Anna

Yeeeeesssss! Figuring out this new normal…the school stuff…the management of kids without their normal routine… I mean, plus, there’s the feeling of I-need-to-treasure-these-moments and, I do, sometimes, but other times I want to chuck something OUT THE WINDOW. ??

Laura

Or throw your kids out the window?

Anna

Umm… I wasn’t going to say that out loud but YES. And maybe their devices.

Laura

Right? It’s also like being a new mom because of all the things you start thinking about that you never even considered before!

I mean, I’ve never really been a germ-a-phobe, but now when I’m in the grocery, I wonder if someone coughed on this box of cereal?

Anna

I know, right?!? Lysol. Everything.?

Laura

And one of the biggest changes of new motherhood was that I was never alone. I didn’t realize how much this extrovert needed her space?! And I adjusted, of course, but I was just getting used to my kids being at school all day. And now bam?, everybody is home all the livelong day and there is no one to give me a break!

Anna

Yes. It’s different from summertime even, when they are still doing activities, going to the pool, going to friends’ houses… Not with this. I’m back to just wishing I could pee without being interrupted!

Laura

Exactly! I mean a little privacy please! Can’t a mom even take a shower without screaming at, I mean, talking to someone?!

Anna

And like, I feel so conflicted too. Guilty if I’m angry, or exhausted. Guilty if I don’t feel like playing one more round of Chutes and Ladders. ?

Laura

Yes… why is mom guilt so heavy right now? I mean, I am still working. Granted, very part time working, but when I say to the boys, “Ok, I need to grade my essays now,” and one of them looks up and screams, “You always have to work!” It is like a shot in the heart.

Anna

It is…And especially when you can’t even get all of your work done, and you’ve poured one-too-many bowls of cereal, trying to give yourself 10 more minutes to do your work.

Meanwhile, GUILT again, because some people are sick, and we are not. Some people are dying or have loved ones passing away. It’s this underlying thought, like “You aren’t feeling the right way.”

Laura

Totally! And that happens to new moms too who are struggling, but then remember there are moms with babies in the NICU. And you try to use that thought to rein in your whining and be grateful, but the fact still remains that you are struggling too.

Anna

Yep! I totally get the connection. How did we make it through as new moms? That seems like a LOOOONG time ago.

Laura

You know I think one thing we can do during this time is to remember, even though it was a long time ago, the best advice we got as new moms and apply it to the situation. Maybe that will give us a little perspective.

Anna

OK. Lay it on me! I need some! 🙂

Laura

Best time management advice I got as a new mom: when the baby is sleeping don’t do things that you could do when the baby is awake. The same applies here! If I can fold laundry and watch the twins complete a math assignment, then I should do that.

Anna

So good. So, like, taking a bath and reading a book might be good to do after the kids’ bedtime. OK.

I’ve got one. All of the feelings you are feeling are NORMAL. All of them. And none of them are wrong.

Laura

That is the best advice. And we have all been there and we have all had those emotions to one degree or another. It’s so nice to know that in this situation all our emotions are normal too.

Anna

Yep. So have a good cry in the bathroom with your Cadbury Egg. It’s okay.

Laura

Thank goodness for the Cadbury Egg, I mean really. Thank You God for the grace of Easter candy in the middle of a pandemic. Can I have one with my coffee?

Anna

Yup. And I think, let’s lower the expectations a bit. Or a lot. I heard this the other day: Take your to-do list and expectations for the day and cut it in half. Now cut it in half again. Now you’ve got an okay list.

Laura

And even if you don’t get that list done, guess what? You’re still a mom tomorrow. His grace is still sufficient in this new normal.

Anna

His mercies are new every morning!!!

Laura

And those new mercies go very nicely with coffee and a Cadbury Egg!

Soaking in the Truth

Scripture to encourage you: Read the Bible… Anywhere, any time you get!

Music to inspire you: Seriously almost any Christian Song applies to this! Just listen to worship music whenever possible. Put it on in the background of your life.

Readings and Resources to come alongside of you: Don’t try to find them…. Just read the Bible. As all pediatricians tell new moms: Stop Googling it, mom!

Living Out the Truth

Just keep Praying, just keep praying… Just keep praying, praying, praying.?

Category Archives: #Spring2020

Whatever is Lovely

When Nothing Feels Normal