Let's not go back- let's move forward.

I can still picture the relief on my friend’s face when the shutdowns began.

“I’ve had 12 different activities fall off my schedule this week!”

The words fell out of her mouth in hushed tones as if she felt guilty for even speaking it. Yet her near giddiness about the sudden freedom in her schedule couldn’t be hushed. 

We could anticipate the challenges that would arise with schools closing, businesses shutting down, and increased isolation. But did you foresee this?

Slower mornings. Deeper conversations. Awakened creativity. Reemerging ingenuity. 

Welcomed change

Amidst the chaos and stress we all feel to varying degrees, many people have been surprised by the unexplainable weight lifted with the sudden, forced halt in our insanely busy schedules.

I heard one woman say this would forever be one of her favorite seasons of life as she has seen notable changes in her family. Her children making their own fun. Real, meaningful conversations with her husband. More dinners around the table as a family. An appreciation for what is. A simpler life.

“Forced togetherness” of family units has caused some of us to learn how to set our wants aside for the betterment of those around us while others have had to learn to speak up for what we need. Through the arguing we’ve realized there are healthier ways to communicate. We have had unique qualities rise to the surface that we never knew we possessed— Some of which we will forever be grateful to take with us throughout life, others of which we now realize we need to address. 

We’ve seen each other hanging on by a thread. We’ve swooped in to care for those who are most vulnerable. We’ve experienced our own humanity and the humanity of those nearest to us in ways we never before have.

We’ve come to know Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides, on a very real level.

We’re starting to see and truly value the individuality each person brings to our lives. 

We are realizing that placing our identity in what we do, where we go, how productive/efficient we are or how much money is in our bank account can leave us feeling quite confused and hopeless when it’s suddenly taken away.

You see, when the future is uncertain and the past seems like a distant memory, there’s a renewed appreciation for the present. What else do we have other than this very moment? 

Less striving to get to the future and more appreciation for what we have here and now. 

Accepting what is, looking forward to what could be. 

“Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.” James 4:14

I don’t want to go back.

With all 50 states beginning to reopen to varying degrees, we find ourselves stepping up to the threshold of the door. The imaginary barrier between what is now familiar and the great unknown. There’s an excitement and revitalization infused with that first breath of fresh air. Yet, the bright sunlight of an uncharted world can be a bit blinding. 

Maybe you, like me, have felt your heart quietly cry, “I don’t want to go back.”

Busy, hectic schedules. More time behind the windshield. Drive-through dinners on our way from one activity to the next. Passing hellos and goodbyes to coworkers, friends, spouses and children as we each hustle to make it to the next activity. Productivity demands pressing in from all sides.

Sound familiar? Sound exhausting?

Guess what?

You don’t have to go back. I’m not going to.

Yes, we all need to connect, to work, to live. But we don’t have to go back. 

You don’t have to go back to life as you knew it before the pandemic hit. You don’t have to look back on this pandemic as a blip on your timeline. A hiccup to your regular (overly)scheduled life. 

What if future-you remembered this season as the time when your priorities shifted. When life was upended, hard and confusing, and yet beauty arose. What if you make adjustments to your priorities and schedule to make space for conversations, for laughter, for life?

Let’s not go back, let’s move forward. 

If you’re not interested in going back, but are eager to move forward, here are three practical suggestions I have for you.

1.       Write down 2-3 things from your pre-pandemic life you want to leave behind.

            *A good place to start is by remembering what brought you a sense                                     of relief when the shut-downs began.

2.               Write down 2-3 things from your current pandemic life you want to take with                      you going forward.

*Begin with things you've thought, “When this is over, I’m going to miss               this”. 

3.               Go easy on yourself and those around you.

I can’t be sure, but I’m guessing you didn’t just waltz into this socially distanced life with grace and composure. I know I didn’t. Any transition is going to be full of hiccups. Moving forward is no different. It won’t be easy— it will be work. Be kind to yourself as you walk this out and be kind to those who are trying to do the same. 

By now, we’ve all had to flex our creative, adaptable muscles a bit more than we thought possible. We’ve accepted and extended help when needed. We’ve held grief in one hand while grabbing a handful of joy in the other. 

We can do this, people. 

No, it won’t be the same as it is today, but it doesn’t have to be the same as it was yesterday.

Sift through the clutter, the chaos, the unnecessary and leave it behind. 

Together, let’s move forward— with a new appreciation for simplicity, for meaningful connections, for life.