Your Unspiritual Self-Quarantine Survivor's Guide
The disciples were once attempting to heal a boy with an unclean spirit. After unsuccessful attempts, they enlist the aid of Jesus—who promptly exorcises the boy. Later the disciples ask where they went wrong, to which Jesus replies, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer" (Mark 9.29).
As we have been staring down the barrel of this pandemic, my thoughts have returned to that story. Something about it feels so far outside of human control that, ultimately, it will be reeled in only by prayer (with a healthy dose of hand washing, of course). Fasting wouldn't hurt, either.
But in times like this, I think we also need a good measure of humor. And so I want to offer something a little different today: some decidedly un-spiritual ideas for surviving this time of self-quarantine.* Please recognize that they are completely subjective, biased, and completely un-scientific (in addition to un-spiritual). If you've got other ideas, please share!
1. Listen to more Stevie Wonder
You and Stevie can get through this. Whenever I'm blue, I throw on my Stevie station on Pandora, and when that bass line from "Superstition" kicks in I'm already feeling better. And the next thing you know, you might even start having a...
2. Dance party in the living room
Now is not the time to act too-cool. You need to boogie. Everyone tells you how important exercise is in a time like this; why not get some in a fun way that totally embarrasses yourself? (Note: if you are in danger of breaking a hip, please disregard this idea and just pleasantly bob your head to the tunes.)
3. Stay in your PJs
I know everyone is telling you how important it is to maintain routines right now, not to sleep in too late, try to retain some normalcy, etc. By and large I agree with that. But some days, you just gotta stay in your PJs, put on your slippers, make some hot cocoa, and lower the bar for what's getting done today.
4. Breakfast for dinner (and breaking Lenten fasts)
It feels like forever ago that we had our Shrove Tuesday pancake supper. That was supposed to be our last gasp before our Lenten fasts. Well, you know what? This is not your ordinary Lent, and our Lenten fasts—while good and helpful—are not mandated by the Lord. So cut yourself some slack, break out the maple syrup, and enjoy some breakfast for dinner.
5. Start reading one of those epic series of stories
I'm somewhat ashamed to say that I have only just now begun reading Harry Potter, but on the bright side I couldn't have saved the series for a better time. Maybe you already love all things Hogwarts and could return to it. Other ideas: C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia (or Out of the Silent Planet series), The Lord of the Rings, or even the Little House on the Prairie books.
6. Take more naps
My fondness for naps—and even theological rationales for them—is well-documented. And if you're already staying in your PJs and eating breakfast at all meals of the day, why not sleep some more? (Clearly we are very ambitious here.)
7. Visit all the Land Conservancy trails in Arcadia (not in one day)
The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy has done an incredible service to the residents of northwest Michigan, stewarding beautiful tracts of land and water all throughout our region. In Arcadia alone, you've got the Arcadia Marsh boardwalk, St. Pierre Trail, Abby's Woods, Baldy Trail, plus Pete's Woods just outside our borders. Especially as we get closer to the full onset of Spring, this is an ideal time to get out and enjoy creation.
I don't suggest these ideas to downplay the severity of this epidemic by any means. But neither can we allow it to dampen our spirits. For as Christians, we continue to live in the joyous confidence that we belong to a risen Savior whose grace is ever and always sufficient for us.
*Side note: the word "quarantine" comes from the Latin word quaranta, meaning "forty." Which makes it quite appropriate that we be experiencing this quarantine during Lent!)
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