I listened to this story about how the ground literally shifted and swayed and buckled under the feet of those Alaskans.as I was already thinking about the way the ground is shifting in a different way for us. The terrain looks different each day and possibly each hour - more recently the stay-home order - and probably it will look different tomorrow again. No one knows how long this will last or when the landscape of the corona curve will finally flatten. And at the same time, one day slides into the next as
I'm not one of those parents who has implemented a color coded schedule or rigorous expectations of my kids. I don't even understand parents who are talking about 'homeschooling' right now. I can barely figure out what my own work is supposed to be in this new way of doing business. I printed an activity sheet today for my five-year-old and I'm pretty sure the older one is doing some assignments on Schoology. But there's a lot of screen time.
And yet, while there's no magnetic schedule posted on the fridge, we do have a routine and we do have some expectations of what gets done around the house or academically before the TV gets turned on. And there is comfort in routine and rhythms. One benefit of all being at home is that we're actually eating our evening meal together every day - which because of my spouse's usual late work hours didn't always happen before. I try to take breaks during the afternoon to scooter in the driveway with Orie or go for a walk with Naomi.
There is comfort in rhythms, including spiritual rhythms. I cite Traci Smith and her book Faithful Families often because it's such a wealth of simple and doable family spiritual practices (and 50% off the kindle edition right now). One practice that I liked for right now is "five minute sabbath" (or even one minute sabbath). Sabbath as a spiritual practice is marking a particular day, year or time to return ourselves and our resources to God. We think of Sabbath as Sunday - or perhaps another day of the week. Pastor Megan talk regularly about her Friday Sabbath practice.
Traci Smith suggests a set-aside time within a day or within an hour. She also suggests making note cards and choosing practices at random. But whatever - I'll just suggest a couple I like and also one of my own that I found on my friend the internet. One suggestion for a one-minute sabbath is: go outside. Notice what the weather is like. Breathe deeply and take note of the feel of the air in your lungs. Another is a breath prayer with the phrase, "I breath in God's love." "I breathe out worry and fear." Especially good right now! Breathe!
Here are a couple of Smith's five-minute sabbath suggestions: write someone a note or gratitude or appreciation; find a poetry book or keep Psalms handy, read and reflect on a poem or Psalm. The one I've like recently is to pay attention to my senses and notice: five things I can see, four things I can hear, three things I can feel, two things I can smell, one thing I can taste. The thing I can taste is usually coffee.
These are practices that kids could easily be pulled into - especially the embodied practices. Surely y'all can come up with creative one-five minute mindfulness practices that would be meaningful to you or your family. I would love to hear the ways that you are creating rhythms and inviting the Spirit into your own and your families life. Or maybe it's just too hard to think about anything so systematic. I'm curious about that too.
This is an earthquake we weren't expecting. God is with us now in the upheaval and will be waiting for us when we come out the other side.
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image from the 99PI website, "The largest landslide in Anchorage occurred between Point Woronzof and Fish Creek"
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