What if this time of "Shelter in Place" ...
By Sandhya Oaks
We are living in “wild” times and these times are bringing a sense of curiosity and what-if thoughts to my mind. It is natural for me to skip onto the “next thing” and not sit in the moment. However, this Global Pandemic is forcing me to stay in the moment, (and in place), and ponder what might these crazy times hold for all of us. Here is a little snapshot of what I’ve been wondering.
What if this time of “Shelter In Place”...
allows the families who have had full schedules and no quality time, the opportunity to sit and enjoy one another through talking, sharing a meal or playing together?
brings restoration, healing and love to a marriage that was on the path to signing divorce papers? What if this time brings the couple to a place of humility and seeking the best for the other rather than continuing to walk toward selfishness?
makes room for slowing down in the evening, and kiddos in every home receive the gift of a bedtime story from a family member or friend?
brings a miracle to break down the evil generational domestic abuse through the disruption of kindness?
is inviting us to become more playful through creativity, wonder and curiosity?
gives an opportunity to repair and heal long lasting silence and unforgiveness to families who have relational-brokenness amongst relatives?
brings families to search for comfort and hope by tracking down the “Family Bible” in their home and they begin to read and believe it together?
forces us to stop, breathe, light a candle and rest?
gives families time to consider where they come from and dig a little deeper into their lineage and heritage. From this, what if new traditions or celebrations are birthed?
allows the aged man or woman to relearn a piece of music that held beauty and joy from their childhood?
grows our humility and gratitude which leads to a deeper love and compassion for our brothers and sisters from ethnicities other than our own?
moves us out of our “comfortable lives” and towards our neighbors by dropping a note in the mailbox to build a sense of community and connection to those nearby?
creates the space and time that we’ve longed for so we could spend more time with our First Love?
gives us time to learn a new language so we can engage with more people who don’t look or talk like us?
brings an awareness of how under-appreciated and under-compensated our teachers are?
were used to consider and pray for those who don’t have a place to find shelter in?
builds a deeper love and honor for those who serve in the medical fields?
is an opportunity to grab two chairs and sit knee to knee with your spouse or child and take 30 minutes to have a conversation about the good things they bring into this world and into your life?
offers us a deeper sense of engaging with creation; the marvelous souls around us and with the ever changing nature outside our doors?
brings more unity, love and connection to families?
fills us with a deeper sense of how precious our lives are and nudges us to wake up, come alive and do something with this one wild and treasured life we’ve been given?
Sandhya Oaks is a speaker, advocate and co-founder of The Adoption Triad. She is passionate about story work, racial reconciliation, developing leaders and has a craving for adventure both near and far! Born in India and adopted at age one, she grew up in Wisconsin and is now based out of the Minneapolis Area. Sandhya is on Staff with Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) and also serves with The Lenses Institute. Connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.
You can read some of her other writing at Red Tent Living.
Make sure to listen in to her episode on the Arise Podcast to hear her tips on how to engage yourself and others during COVID-19.