It is in the slow lane that we turn our heart to home and family. Nothing has made this more of a reality than the global COVID-19 pandemic with orders to “stay in, stay home, and self-quarantine” resonating across the world. I witnessed women across the lands panic as their jobs disappeared or became ‘work from home’ jobs, as schools closed and they suddenly found themselves supervising distance learning, as restless children demanded non-stop attention, as necessities disappeared from store shelves, and restaurants closed. For a couple of weeks, life was upside down for many.
Slowly, things began to right themselves in a new fashion. Women have started sharing Pinterest recipes and cooking again instead of using drive-through’s. Schools offered laptops to those who didn’t have them, internet companies offered free service, and teachers are teaching their students virtually. Moms have started playing board games and doing crafts with their children, many acknowledging they’d not done so for years, for a lack of time. Families started hiking together. Kids are being taught to ride their bikes. Grandparents have learned to video chat with their grandkids and stay connected in different ways. The new normal has necessitated an inward focus in each home and families are thriving.
Perhaps you find yourself in the slow lane today. If so, I encourage you to take advantage of this time. Deuteronomy 6: 6-7 gives parents (and grandparents) the directive to teach children of the Lord’s commandments when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Life in the slow lane affords time for the teachable moments to talk about the Lord and His goodness, and His promise to prosper us as we obey Him and are careful to follow all He has commanded us (Deut. 6:24). As you intentionally train up the children God has given you, known that your labors are not in vain. Proverbs 22:6 assures you if you train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.
I pray each of you redeem the time you have been given to live life in the slow lane, focusing your time on your family in new and creative ways.
Scriptures
Deuteronomy 6:7 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (NASB)
Deuteronomy 6:24 The Lord commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the Lord our God, so that we may always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today. (NASB)
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it. (NASB)