Two weeks ago, I discovered that we have COVID. So all of us (me, my kiddies, and my mom) are isolated at home for seven days. It was crazy.
I feel like God is stretching me. First, be a stay-at-home dad with Wai Jia. Then, Wai Jia is off to Africa while I look after them full-time. Now, is staying home with them.
What do you do with two toddlers that need your attention all the time 24/7?
Before being locked down, I would imagine it will be horrible. How can I entertain my kids for so long?
I couldn’t have done it all by myself.
I am thankful for my mom here to take turns watching the kiddies while I take a break (NAP!).
I am thankful for friends who brought us toys and crafts for my kiddies.
I am thankful for neighbours who go out of their way to get groceries for us.
I am thankful for Sarah-Faith’s school teacher and principal in dropping off some exercises for her to do.
What I am most thankful for is God. And I do mean it. I am thankful because none of us are seriously ill. My mom, who is elderly and highly likely to get ill had no symptoms. I am the only one who felt sick. The week before I discovered we had COVID, I felt bloated and now just had a dry cough.
That’s it.
Also, our little one is also sick and not because of COVID. It would be horrible if we are stuck at home and she has to go to the hospital. I don’t even know if I can go with her. She will be so scared to go by herself. But I am thankful. Thankful because she got better.
Wai Jia noticed that last week, I am calmer and less stressed. It is. In a strange way, quarantine helped me appreciate the simpler things. Like playing board games with my kids. There is no need to rush anywhere because we ain’t going anywhere. We are at home and there is a lot of time to just play and be silly.
One thing I am also learning to find contentment is the cross. Am I content that Jesus died for my sin? It sounds trivial but it is not. Of course, the Sunday School answer is yes. But do I really? If I am truly content on the cross, then whatever falls in my path, whether the highs or the lows, I can live in contentment.
I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:10-13 (NIV)
This is hard. Because I am also not content. I want more. More ministry. My kids grow up faster. Better laptop and a better monitor. There are many things I can have more or desire more.
Yet, Paul never focused on that. For Paul, the focus is always what Jesus did for him on the cross. We can see that over and over again in his letters. As for me, I am learning to refocus my thankfulness and contentment on what Jesus has done for me on the cross. If it is not for Jesus, I won’t be the person I am right now.
