Blessings in Disguise

Blessings in Disguise

Michelle Son

For years Peter has been urging me to enjoy my cup of coffee in the morning instead of trying to do several things at once. I agreed that we should slow down our busy lives, but it took this unexpected and crazy turn of events to cause me to reprioritize my life. I have come to grips with the fact that washing dishes, doing laundry, and cleaning the house all can wait. Replying back to my text messages and browsing social media can also wait. I am also slowly learning to take better care of myself, so that I can care well for my family. God has reminded me of my calling as a wife and mother, and He has renewed my desire to reflect sacrificial love towards my husband and to disciple my children. I’ve grown more thankful for family time and all of God’s gifts that is so easy to take for granted.

When we received news that school is cancelled until at least mid-May, I began to worry about how I would be able to mentally and strategically manage homeschooling three children, in addition to cooking three meals a day. My heart has felt anxious over many things: being at home all day with my children, our finances, and the health of my family. However, I have come to slowly realize that this unique opportunity to homeschool my children has opened more opportunities to teach, disciple, and love on them, despite my shortcomings and failures as a mother. I am reminded to cast all my anxieties on Christ because our Father deeply loves and cares for His children (1 Peter 5:7). Surrendering control of my children’s schedules and fully trusting in the Lord to provide for and protect our family have been two areas that have forced me to rely on God and not my own strength and self-sufficiency.

Being at home 24/7 has allowed me to stop and literally smell the roses (or the cherry blossoms in my front yard). I have begun to appreciate and enjoy God’s creation with my family and have had more intentional conversations about God’s power and faithfulness even in the midst of difficult times. Observing the early signs of spring as flowers bloom with life has been a reminder that our lives will indeed go on. Lately, we have been doing a lot of bird watching outside as Natalie’s unit study at school is on birds. As these birds fly from one tree branch to the next, their carefree nature reminds me of Matthew 6 where Jesus tells us to not worry about what we will eat or wear because God takes care of even the needs of the birds. God will surely provide for all of our present and future needs.

It brings comfort and hope to know that we are in this together with our Waypoint family, our community, and people all around the world. I see the love of God through the selflessness and generosity of His people, whether it is offering to drop off groceries to the elderly or sick, or just be available to provide for anyone’s immediate needs.

It is heartbreaking and unfathomable to think how this virus has taken over 50,000 lives and has impacted everyone on the globe in all aspects of life. Even so, God is still greater than this virus and will be in our midst through the storm. Reading through Genesis and Exodus with our church has strengthened my faith and hope in God during these times of tribulation. If God’s promises are true, if He led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and provided manna and water

while they wandered in the wilderness, then surely, He will deliver us. In my sin, I tend to forget God’s promises like the Israelites did, but I’m thankful His word and church bring me back to the truth.

Reflecting on the little and big blessings in disguise, the song “Blessings” by Laura Story has captured a bit of what God has been pressing on my heart lately:

“What if my greatest disappointments, or the aching of this life, is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy, what if trials of this life-the rain, the storms, the hardest nights, are Your mercies in disguise.”

During these unstable and trying times, let us press on toward Christ and be renewed by His mercies each morning! Let us have hope that the redeeming blood of Christ will continue to heal and restore all that is broken in this world. May the Coronavirus pandemic be fully eradicated but may the lessons we have learned about life and the assurances of God’s promises never be forgotten.