The Sparrow's Home

: Life is hard. God is good. We need each other.

  • Homeschool
    • Homeschool Curriculum Reviews
    • Homeschooling High School
      • Earning College Credits in High School
    • Elementary, Middle School, & Littles
    • Homeschool Experiences (Tutoring/Study Groups)
    • Homeschool Consulting
  • Recipes
    • Main Dishes
    • Vegetables & Sides
    • Breads
    • Desserts
    • Beverages
    • Freezer Recipes
    • Preserving
  • Faith
    • Resources for Living a Biblical Faith
  • Family
    • Parenting
    • Marriage
      • How to Break Porn Addiction: There is Hope!
    • Everything Disney
    • All the Board Games
    • Themed Entertaining
    • Home & Garden
      • Herbal Remedies
  • Contact
  • Home

You don’t have to emerge from the quarantines as a beautiful butterfly, but what a waste to come out the other side the same old caterpillar you were before

April 2, 2020 by Susan 10 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links.  See my disclosure for more information.

Like it? Share it!

However it’s coming to us, we’re all being given cocoon time here. Don’t look back after this experience, and wish that you had done more with the time you’ve been given.

You don't have to emerge from the quarantines as a beautiful butterfly, but what a waste to come out the other side the same old caterpillar you were before

 

They say the five stages of Spring, 2020 are denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.

That’s a little joke.

But it has been a wild ride, hasn’t it? While I wouldn’t go so far as to call the required self-isolation a gift, I do believe that we should try to learn something from difficult experiences.

I should pause here to tell you that this is not a guilt-trip to make you feel badly that you are staying in the bathroom extra long to get away from your kids or using chocolate as a coping mechanism. Both are valid responses to what we’re going through, in my opinion.

All I hope to do is be a little encouraging bird on your shoulder reminding you of what you already know:

You may look back after this experience, and wish that you had done more with the time you’ve been given.

Reframing our vision for 2020

A friend of mine, Mackenzie, wrote some wise words in a devotion she shared from the book of Judges:

I, like many of you, entered the year 2020 with the word “vision” on the mind. To me, vision meant clarity and a plan. I was hopeful that this would be the year I would “figure everything out.” In these past few weeks, everything I thought I knew, everything I planned, has been thrown out of the window—all because of a virus I didn’t see coming.

Much like Gideon, I’m scared, uncertain, and don’t understand what God is doing (yet). So maybe 2020, the year of vision, wasn’t a promise for answers, but rather a challenge of your faith. Will you seek God’s provision and plan for your life? Will you cling to Him when everything else is shaky, foggy, and unknown? Will you trust that He is present even if His ways don’t make sense to you yet?

Take a minute right now and choose to set aside your vision. Then try saying these words to God, “I trust you.”  Ask him to speak to you in a way that you can hear.  I know he will.

If you’re anything like me, those conversations are usually not ‘one and done.’ When doubt creeps in, remind yourself that you trust Him, speak that truth out loud (I really think it makes a difference).  Finding and speaking Scripture is a powerful tool, too.

Related reading: When you can’t see God anywhere 

Ask him every day to speak to you.  Ask him to help you hear him. (It’s a prayer I think he loves to answer!)

And whatever he is telling you– lean into it. Now’s the time. Can you imagine how awesome it would be if you could look back on this difficult season as a time that God worked change in you?!

You don't have to emerge from the quarantines as a beautiful butterfly, but what a waste to come out the other side the same old caterpillar you were before

Living intentionally during self-isolation

On a smaller scale, a tangible, day-to-day scale, being intentional matters a great deal.

There is a time for survival mode. Just getting through the day is a major success. And we will all have days like that during this homebound season. If that’s where you are today…take a breath and tell yourself that it will be better tomorrow.

Related reading: I am praying for you

We can also fall into patterns of existing that feel comfortable and yet aren’t particularly intentional. Just like survival mode, it’s okay to have days like this, as long as we don’t stay here. Spend every day binge-watching in your pajamas, and not only will you feel like big sleepy walrus…you may start to look like one too.  😉

What does being intentional look like?

You don’t have to complete a home renovation, become the next Martha Stewart, or do a monk-like spiritual retreat. Just pick something. A little something. And do it.

Play games as a family.

Clean out a closet.

Memorize a verse. (Psalm 56:3 is a good one, so is Isaiah 26:3)

Try a new recipe.  Here are some simple baking recipes to check out:

Sweetened condensed milk cookies
One-hour bread
My favorite easy brownies
Freezer scones
Cinnamon stick cookies

 

With your kids

  • If you have kids at home, you could take advantage of some of of the free resources folks are offering these days.  These helpful resources from Notgrass History are meant to help kids cope with the crisis.

Free Bible Studies from Notgrass History

 

  • There are lots of educational helps out there to check into, as well.  Virtual field trips, free classes, performances, and more.  Study.com has put together some tips for parents who are managing the transition to kids learning at home during the quarantine.

 

  • Sonya Shafer, from Simply Charlotte Mason, is offering a free video of her seminar “Laying Down the Rails: The Power of Good Habits” as well as a list of over 130 productive things to do at home.

 

  • Learn some slang and impress (mortify?) your teenagers over dinner.

 

In the home

  • Choose some specific homemaking skills you’d like to grow in. Lots of ideas here for traditional homemaking skills for the modern homemaker

 

  • Find a new workout to try.
    – Some of my favorite in-home exercises are Leslie Sansone’s Walk at Home workouts.
    – This Disney treadmill series is pretty cool, too (Note: you can set the speed with the gear icon if you want to speed things up).
    – Faithful Fitness is offering 30% off of lifetime access to every course and workout inside of the Faithful Fitness library, including any future updates and additions.  (Wow!!)  Use coupon code STAYHOME2020 until April 15, 2020

Grow your faith

  • Put your Bible somewhere you’ll see it and start (or re-start) a daily Bible reading plan.

 

  • Pray with your kids or spouse each day, even for a short time.

 

  • Print out this 14-day prayer calendar and pray for the kids in your church.

Our kids need champions. Join the 14 day prayer challenge for the young people in your church.

  • Find a way your family can serve your neighbors, family members, or church body. One family at our church baked cookies and mailed them out. My family picked up curbside orders at a local greenhouse and delivered the plants to church members. There are infinite ways to serve…pick one!

Another way we’re trying to encourage people is to share with them that we are praying for them. I’d been looking for a use for this cute chalkboard from the Dollar Tree. I’ve got it on the kitchen counter where everyone fixes food and puts dishes, so we’re all sure to see it several times a day. Each day I write a different person or family on the chalkboard for us to pray for, and I take a picture of the board and text it to whoever we’re praying for. Everybody likes to know they’re being prayed for!

prayer chalkboard

Brainstorm projects

Brainstorm a list of projects you might like to try. I’ve been making an ongoing list to pick from with things like:

  • Clean out chest freezer
  • Organize laundry room
  • Make cinnamon rolls (I use the Pioneer Woman’s recipe…Yum! No coffee in the icing, though!)
  • Pack a care package
  • Make soap (It’s been a really long time since I’ve made any…not as hard as you think!)
  • Make herbal salve
  • Find a new park to walk in

Be open to spontaneous projects that come your way, too.  I was doing some reading the other day about probiotics and gut health in relation to our immune system, and decided to try my hand at homemade yogurt-making. 

Will I keep making homemade yogurt for the rest of my life? Probably not, but for now, I’m adding it to my routine.

Funny story: I spent for-e-ver getting the milk up to the right temperature to kill any germs and then cooling it back down to add the starter.  Just as I was about to add it, I dropped my dirty hot pad into the milk. Ugh! Back to the stove to raise the temp and then lower it again. I’m hoping my second batch goes more smoothly!

Be a little better

Will any of us look back on the Spring of Coronavirus as the best Spring ever? Probably not. But maybe we could look back on it as a time of growth.  I hope we do.

Memories made with our kids.

Relationships made stronger.

Hearing God speak to us.

Learning something new.

However it’s coming to us, we are all being given cocoon time here. You don’t have to emerge as the best possible version of yourself. But wouldn’t it be a waste if, after all of this, you’re absolutely no different at all?

 

What are some ideas you’ve done or seen to use this time at home?

You don't have to emerge from the quarantines as a beautiful butterfly, but what a waste to come out the other side the same old caterpillar you were before

 

 

Like it? Share it!

You Might Also Like

  • These simple roasted vegetables are an easy and impressive side dish
    Roasted Vegetables: The Easiest Impressive Side Dish Ever
  • An easy tutorial for a DIY lap desk made with an inexpensive whiteboard.
    DIY Whiteboard Lap Desk for Kids
  • Having walked through a dark time, Job offers us help for the times when we can't see God at work.
    When You Can't See God Anywhere

Filed Under: Bible, Family, Home & Garden Tagged With: Bible, faith, family, parenting

Comments

  1. John Notgrass says

    April 3, 2020 at 1:55 pm

    Great thoughts! Thanks for sharing these ideas.

    Reply
  2. Albertina Geller says

    April 13, 2020 at 5:44 am

    Great post! This can help people staying busy in their quarantine and not getting bored. Using your tips self-isolation will help me in being more productive. Thanks for the article.

    Reply
    • Susan says

      April 13, 2020 at 9:37 am

      Glad you found something helpful!

      Reply
  3. Susie Williams says

    April 22, 2020 at 9:15 pm

    This is a Wonderful blog! You are very talented as well as wise. I’m so glad you chose to share and do this. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Susan says

      April 23, 2020 at 12:00 am

      Susie, Thank you so much for such kind words! I’m really glad you stopped by and found something valuable. Blessings –Susan

      Reply
  4. LaKia says

    April 22, 2020 at 9:19 pm

    Love this! I was led here after prayer. In prayer I saw a caterpillar, cocoon, and a butterfly emerging. Jeremiah 29:11 came to mind. If we use this quarantine time correctly individually and collectively we will emerge better.

    Reply
  5. Michelle says

    April 23, 2020 at 10:52 am

    I enjoyed this article Susan. I’ve been saying for a while that we’ve probably needed something to make everyone slow down and focus on family and God for awhile and some self reflection. It’s sad that it took a deadly virus to make that happen, but hopefully we will all learn something we can carry over with us when we “emerge” from this.

    Reply
    • Susan says

      April 23, 2020 at 11:46 am

      Yes! There’s so much negative to be found, it can help if we can find nuggets of the positive to cling to and focus on.

      Reply
  6. Paula Kirkpatrick says

    April 23, 2020 at 2:35 pm

    There will be so much to learn from this historical time. We are part of this “history”. If you are younger, what will you tell your grandchildren about the year “the world shut down?” This time has allowed me to have lunch with a co-worker, 6 feet apart, sharing prayer and talking about things of God. I would not have had this opportunity otherwise. I am an essential worker, as I work in a school, but I also have time to reflect now. Definitely some blessings!

    Reply
    • Susan says

      April 23, 2020 at 6:03 pm

      This absolutely will become a “what were you doing when…” moment in history. But unlike so many (all?) of the past events, this is an extended period rather than a single event. And you’re right, we’ll have stories to tell…I suppose that’s one way to try to be intentional with our time. We can think about writing our future stories. And that doesn’t necessarily mean stories of leaps and bounds…it could be lessons in coping with tough things.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

100 Puns to Make You Roll Your Eyes, Groan, and Shake Your Head. There's something for everyone, arranged by category: food, animals, Harry Potter, Star Wars, literature, work-related, visual puns, and more!

Connect with Me:

About me…

Welcome! I'm Susan, and I'm so glad you're here. I am a former teacher turned homeschooler, married to my favorite person, blessed far more than I deserve, and certain that we don't have to do it all alone. Find Out More…

Get The Sparrow’s Home delivered right to your inbox. –Never miss a thing (including special news for subscribers only!)

Let's be friends! Send me new posts and updates. I'm good with one (sometimes two) emails per week.

What I’m Reading Now…

Recent Posts

  • 100 Bible verses that say who you are, what defines you, and why you matter
  • When your child struggles with reading…finding a reading curriculum and resources that are easy to use is everything.
  • The Absolute Best Cinnamon Rolls
  • Make a porch snack basket to brighten the day of your delivery drivers this holiday season (7 free printable signs to choose from!)
  • Raise your hand if you’re thankful to be governed by lots of flawed individuals.

What’s Popular

  • Recipes That Use Up A Lot of Eggs (Bonus Pudding Recipe!)
    Recipes That Use Up A Lot of Eggs (Bonus Pudding Recipe!)
  • One Hour Bread: Fast & Easy Italian Bread Recipe
    One Hour Bread: Fast & Easy Italian Bread Recipe
  • M&Ms Ice Breaker and Guided Prayer Activities
    M&Ms Ice Breaker and Guided Prayer Activities
  • 7 Honest Homeschool Math Curriculum Reviews
    7 Honest Homeschool Math Curriculum Reviews
  • Easy Sausage Egg Bake
    Easy Sausage Egg Bake
  • Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup
    Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup
  • Healthy Chocolate Mousse
    Healthy Chocolate Mousse
  • The Easiest Sausage and Chicken Jambalaya
    The Easiest Sausage and Chicken Jambalaya
  • Triple Chocolate Bundt Cake
    Triple Chocolate Bundt Cake
  • Take a Meal to a Friend in Need
    Take a Meal to a Friend in Need

All of our recipes are shared at:

Meal Plan Monday is just one of the Link Ups where I contribute.

Follow The Sparrow’s Home:

Contact

Privacy Policy

Disclosure Statement

Amazon Associates Disclosure

Susan is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. com and affiliated sites.

Copyright © 2021 · Beautiful Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

  • Homeschool
    • Homeschool Curriculum Reviews
    • Homeschooling High School
      • Earning College Credits in High School
    • Elementary, Middle School, & Littles
    • Homeschool Experiences (Tutoring/Study Groups)
    • Homeschool Consulting
  • Recipes
    • Main Dishes
    • Vegetables & Sides
    • Breads
    • Desserts
    • Beverages
    • Freezer Recipes
    • Preserving
  • Faith
    • Resources for Living a Biblical Faith
  • Family
    • Parenting
    • Marriage
      • How to Break Porn Addiction: There is Hope!
    • Everything Disney
    • All the Board Games
    • Themed Entertaining
    • Home & Garden
      • Herbal Remedies
  • Contact
  • Home