Day 4: This could be interesting! It’s an opportunity to really bond with my child and spend that time under one roof. I’ll learn so much about her.
Day 20: This is interesting. It takes 12 steps to walk from my couch to the refrigerator and it’s the exact same amount of steps from my office to the refrigerator.
Day 32: Interesting. My daughter can say “yes, mother” in a way that evokes slight fear that I should sleep with one eye open.
Day 48: I wonder what would happen if I took a four-hour shower. Do you think they’d leave me alone?
Day 127: Can I social distance from myself?
And so goes the days of shelter-in-place orders here in California. I’ve officially been sheltered in place for four weeks….28 days of little interaction with the “outside.” And, like Emily wrote last week, this is really starting to suck.
All of these great intentions that I’ve had for all this extra time have flown out the window, and I’d give anything to order at an actual restaurant and sit in an actual booth and hold an actual menu and laugh with an actual server. But that’s just not how it is anymore. And the reality is that it’s not going to be that way for a while. And some days, it’s a little harder to deal with than others.
I find myself going from high to low to high again depending on how “claustrophobic” I feel in the house. I wonder if that’s what David felt when he battled his own feelings of depression and despair. One moment, he’s favored and then next, he’s despised. While my circumstances might not be the same, my feelings of despair and loneliness mimic his own.
As I wade through what feels like Day 164, I hold to Psalm 18:19.
He brought me forth also into a broad place; He rescued me, because He delighted in me.
A broad place…Matthew Henry’s Commentary read like this, “He brought me forth also out of my straits into a large place, where I had room, not only to turn, but to thrive in.” I don’t have to feel that claustrophobia that depression brings during a season like this. He’s given me room to breathe and trust Him. Thank you, God, for a broad place that gives you ample room to help me with my struggles.
~Erin
Iron Porch 