Do Not Disturb

I want off this ride. Most days I’ve done pretty well at coping in this brave new world we are all existing in. I’ve compartmentalized, exercised, meditated, prayed, created new patterns of normal and done many other coping activities. And most of the time it’s worked. I’ve survived, sometimes even thrived in these past few years. But every once in a while a new surprise will occur that shakes me into the all too frustrating reality of the world.

So just for today, I’d like a pass. I’d like to escape the talk of masks, vaccinations, tests, quarantine, exposure and any other pandemic verbiage and simply be without worry. In times like these it helps me to slow down—sit outside with a book, go for a walk, play with my kids, put down my phone. When I get out in nature or put my focus on the simple pleasures as seen through my children’s eyes I find that while the world is still out there and sometimes scary or overwhelming or exhausting, I don’t have to invite it into all the moments of my life. Sometimes I can hang a do not disturb sign on my door and ask God to reveal his unchanging truths in a world that makes no sense.