Mid-Week Thoughts: CABIN FEVER 04/01/2020
Quarantines, self-isolation, and safer-at-home orders. We're now into Week 3 of social distancing and staying at home. No shopping in malls. No dining in restaurants. No exercising in gyms. No working in offices. No watching movies in theaters. What is there to do?
You've read all of the Harry Potter books. You've binged several movies and series on Netflix or Disney+. You've played your 2,553rd round of Candy Crush. You've placed the 1,000th piece into your Star Wars jigsaw puzzle. You've taken more naps than when you were a kid. What is there left to do?
Well, allow me to introduce you to someone who knows exactly how we're feeling as we try to keep our distance to stop the spread of the coronavirus... and to keep our sanity until the danger passes. This is Layla. It seems Layla has the beginnings of a bad case of cabin fever.
First used in 1918, cabin fever refers to an extreme irritability and restlessness from living in isolation or a confined indoor area for a prolonged time. I first heard the term back when I was 12 years old. The blizzard of 1978 reminds me a lot of what we may be experiencing now. Lots of snow, high drifts, and schools closed for close to a month. We didn't have fancy laptops back then...our electronic learning came over the airwaves as public television, Channel 15.
As Christians, we are meant to be in community. It is not good for us to be apart for long periods. Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us: "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." In Matthew 18:20, Jesus was reported to have said, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
But if a virus is going to keep us in our houses for a while, there are some things we can do to still stay connected:
Read God's Word - We should always be doing this, but now is a good time to create a good habit. There are all kinds of online sources, such as biblestudytools.com, biblegateway.com, or The Presbyterian Daily Lectionary. If you need somewhere to start, try reading the Gospels of Mark or John in a week or the Psalms and Proverbs over a month.
Learn Some History - Our denomination is rich with history. You can learn more about our faith and its development through the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church: the Book of Confessions and the Book of Order.
Pray - God wants to hear from us. Prayer is nothing but a conversation between you and God. Speak to God as if you were talking to a friend or family member. Need some help getting started? Try using the acronym A-C-T-S (Adoration of God/Praise; Confession - you know what I mean; Thanksgiving - show gratitude for God's goodness; and Supplication - prayers for yourself and others).
Reach Out and Touch Someone - Grab your phone and make calls to friends, family, co-workers, or shut-ins. During this time of isolation, we cannot forget how to communicate with each other, to share a laugh, or show some care. They are in the same situation as you and would probably love to your voice.
Worship Online - Yes, it's not exactly the same, but many churches are having live-streams on Sundays to allow members to meet together virtually. In fact, our congregation, Community Presbyterian, will be trying just that this Sunday, April 5. Come join us at our Facebook page at 10:30am. If nothing else, it will be unique.
Grace and peace to you all!
First used in 1918, cabin fever refers to an extreme irritability and restlessness from living in isolation or a confined indoor area for a prolonged time. I first heard the term back when I was 12 years old. The blizzard of 1978 reminds me a lot of what we may be experiencing now. Lots of snow, high drifts, and schools closed for close to a month. We didn't have fancy laptops back then...our electronic learning came over the airwaves as public television, Channel 15.
As Christians, we are meant to be in community. It is not good for us to be apart for long periods. Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us: "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." In Matthew 18:20, Jesus was reported to have said, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
But if a virus is going to keep us in our houses for a while, there are some things we can do to still stay connected:
Read God's Word - We should always be doing this, but now is a good time to create a good habit. There are all kinds of online sources, such as biblestudytools.com, biblegateway.com, or The Presbyterian Daily Lectionary. If you need somewhere to start, try reading the Gospels of Mark or John in a week or the Psalms and Proverbs over a month.
Learn Some History - Our denomination is rich with history. You can learn more about our faith and its development through the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church: the Book of Confessions and the Book of Order.
Pray - God wants to hear from us. Prayer is nothing but a conversation between you and God. Speak to God as if you were talking to a friend or family member. Need some help getting started? Try using the acronym A-C-T-S (Adoration of God/Praise; Confession - you know what I mean; Thanksgiving - show gratitude for God's goodness; and Supplication - prayers for yourself and others).
Reach Out and Touch Someone - Grab your phone and make calls to friends, family, co-workers, or shut-ins. During this time of isolation, we cannot forget how to communicate with each other, to share a laugh, or show some care. They are in the same situation as you and would probably love to your voice.
Worship Online - Yes, it's not exactly the same, but many churches are having live-streams on Sundays to allow members to meet together virtually. In fact, our congregation, Community Presbyterian, will be trying just that this Sunday, April 5. Come join us at our Facebook page at 10:30am. If nothing else, it will be unique.
Grace and peace to you all!
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