Lockdown 5

Lockdown Day 5 - 31March 2020

This morning we woke to the sound of soft rain on the roof and a cool breeze running through the house. This in itself is a blessing. Partly because winter is on the way and we can use all the rain we can get. But also because water symbolises so much more. Being a water baby my skin suddenly felt alive. The cool breeze felt like the announcement of winter, my favourite season. Double whammy! And of course, this called for winter food and brain gymnastics. With a lovely lamb shoulder in the slow cooker and sweet potatoes roasting in the oven, I set up my laptop close to the window where I could see the droplets twinkling on the grass and in the tree just outside. Lockdown suddenly sank in backed by a weird kind of compliance. Not acceptance that I can't go where I want when I want, but complying for the sake of every person around me. Not acceptance of no work no pay, but to comply and look for ways to reinvent what I do. Just like the rain washes down the old and dresses nature anew in sharp greens, I should allow this time of isolation to clear out the cobwebs of life. To unlock my brain with the kaleidoscope of possibilities my Creator intended for me. To slow down and listen...... and to synchronise with the rhythm of heaven. And to relax, because God's got this. 

Lockdown 4

Lockdown Day 4 - 30 March 2020

4 Days, and if anyone finds a speck of dust in this matchbox it will only be Horton that lost Whoville. Today I encountered a broken microwave (LG, I'm coming for you), a superhero and an angel. The broken microwave happened in that post cleaning moment where you háve to have a coffee or else.... so I was peering through the micro's window (why is it not see-through?) waiting for the little cloud of steam from my milk which never comes. After trying again and the two engineers in the house also not succeeding, we realise: it's Lockdown and we can't return it to the megastore we bought it at. We call our local supermarket and voilà, they have a single little specimen in stock. Enter: Superhero! 🎺 Dressed in "virus clothes" and buff (the Ninja Turtles would've made him an offer), he grabbed the sanitizer and our frantically quickly compiled list of other necessities and scooted off to save the day❤️. 

Just a quick tip: nominate a pair of "outside" shoes you can ditch in the garage when going out...... the abonimable virus is now also said to travel like a creepy crawly. 

Earlier at morning teatime we discovered a little package of golden heaven delivered by an angel..... a friend closeby who baked a few too many of the most delicious lipsmackingly fresh scones and thought of us...... You are blessed in

ways I cannot describe. I am inspired to pay it forward. And now, padding through my pod, the smell of clean brings comfort, and with another feather in my hand I look forward to Day 5 knowing God's got this. 

Lockdown 3

Lockdown day 3 - 29March 2020 

Day 3 resembled a relatively “normal” Sunday, except for the fact that church was on a Youtube channel. Therefore no dressing up and wearing makeup...... whoohoo! But that, however, made me think of a few things to consider during this time. Can we follow our normal routine without the trimmings? Say for instance, you have a scheduled meeting with an important client. Ordinarily you would wear your “special” shirt , or power dress for such a meeting. Is it possible that these ergonomic (surrounding influencers) factors can influence  your performance as well as the nature and outcome of the meeting? I discovered I could also apply the same question to a baking session in the kitchen. Pre-lockdown baking happens when I have specifically planned to bake and especially feel like baking. So I would turn on Masterchef or Classic FM and bake my heart out, not at all worried about running out of ingredients, being interrupted by anything or anyone. But, should any of these ergonomics be changed, removed or be interfered with, whatever is baked can be compromised. So lockdown scenario sees one of the housemates requesting a baked pudding in a time I specifically did not plan to bake and especially did not feel like baking, while Masterchef or Classic FM was absent and the subsequent discovery of problems with ingredients. The outcome was a different looking pudding that tasted good enough. The result was most definitely influenced  by the ergonomical requirements for a good pud. Which brings me back to the original question: If we are supposed to continue as normal, show up and do our job, what would the quality be like if we change or omit the ergonomics? Now here’s a thought: what if you were to wear your most ridiculous outfit for “work” tomorrow, pretend you’re Ace Ventura on a mission to do whatever it is your job requires and view your day with a paradigm-shifting mindset; maybe, just maybe, lockdown could unlock a new mantra...... or at the very least induce ridiculous laughing every time you talk to your housemates. Who knows, you might just go to bed lighter, happier and more at peace. So, when I turn of my light tonight I shall be smiling, because tomorrow holds something new. And of course, God’s got this.

Lockdown2

Lockdown day 2 - 28March 2020 

As day 2 draws to a close, all I really want to do is be thankful. Thankful for a handful of little blessings. 

One was waking up late because the morning swish-swish sound of cars on their way to work did not wake me (although my little 5 am bird 🐦 still managed to alert me of the morning's first light). Another was taking a shower and washing my hair while the smell of crispy bacon and fresh toast wafting from  the kitchen reminded me that I am blessed to have a family. And there was the privelege of offering up a prayer for all of my family and friends. I also sat in the sun with my morning cuppa, truly thankful for a healthy body and mind and eternally so for my Creator who afforded me the luxury of walking this earth. An ancient quote keeps on playing over and over in my mind:

"Chop wood, carry water, walk the earth."

Keep on keeping on. Get up, show up and do your utmost. Doing the mundane things with diligence has the potential to unlock greatness inside. A greatness God put there for His purpose. A greatness that far surpasses all the restrictions of this lifetime, this lockdown and yes, this virus. 

God's got this. 

LOCKDOWN

Lockdown day 1 - 27 March 2020 

After a hectic topsy turvy week following our Prez's lockdown speech in the face of this Corona virus, I went to bed Thursday night looking forward to a slower but still productive day.  I started off with a "how bad can it be" - attitude, resolving to dart through my planned lockdown springclean effort after which I would get to sit in the sun with my coffee hoping the creative juices will flow. 

Funny haha! It turned out to be a "hit the ground running" exercise where every shelf or cupboard sorted triggered a new job that just hád to be done too. With hubby and youngest both glued to their laptops and phones on the job, my "matchbox" duplex suddenly felt foreign. After the last dish and mug went into the dishwasher and the folded washing foud their place, I had a quiet cup of tea. Then I remembered the little feather I found when I hung washing many hours ago when the day was still young. Feeling the soft downy feather reminded me of Elohim just always being there, letting me know I am not alone and need not despair. He's got this. Corona virus is NOT. God's got this. And those who don't get it, don't 'get' God. 

Simple! 

It is after twelve and day 2 is upon us. But first I need to rest. Shalom.