I struggled choosing a topic for this post. On one hand, writing about anything but COVID 19 seems trite and feels a little like cheating or ignoring the elephant in the room. It seems weird to write a happy little story from my past, connect it to the message of Jesus and sign off. On the other hand, finding ANOTHER thing to say about our current situation is exhausting. I don’t want to think about it, I don’t want to talk about it, I just want a break. But lamenting and rehashing our collective experience has become almost an obsession. I can’t stop.
Thinking of something you are trying to forget is maddening. Anyone trying to get rid of an earworm knows it’s annoying and even exhausting. COVID 19 has become my earworm; it’s always on my mind and the anxiety is always in my body.
The last time I went to a restaurant was March 12th, exactly two months ago. For 90 glorious minutes I didn’t think of COVID 19. I have no idea what we talked about, but I remember a lot of laughing. When we walked out and said goodbye reality came flooding back. After a week of heavy emotions, conversations, meetings and plans that all centered around COVID 19 the 90-minute break allowed me to breathe again. I’m not sure I’ve had a conversation since that hasn’t centered around COVID 19 in one way or another. It’s leeched into my mind and everything around me.
This week I’m inviting you (and myself) into a new kind of sabbath. For the sake of your mental health, take a break from COVID. Talk and think about anything else. It’s tougher than you might think, but it’s important. You don’t need to do it for a full day but find some time each day to take a break.
The multitude of ways that COVID 19 has negatively impacted our lives is real. I invite you into this sabbath time not as a way of ignoring these real issues but by giving permission to all of us to take a break from them. God doesn’t just invite us into Sabbath, God commands it because we need rest. In Sabbath we demonstrate trust in God’s ability to provide and center our faith in God and not on our own merits. So, take a sabbath from the pandemic. It might be harder than you think, so here are some tips as you embark on your “Pandemic Sabbath”.
- Start small. Try going for 20 minutes or even 5 minutes. As thoughts creep into your mind simply say “not right now. I’ll think about you later” and move on with another thought.
- Find a COVID sabbath buddy and “plan” a conversation where both of you agree that you will not talk about anything COVID related. As awkward as it can feel, try thinking of non-COVID topics of conversation before you begin. Story telling can be fun.
- Be careful! The virus can be tricky and work its way into our thoughts without us intending it. Conversations of job losses, the economy, a crazy thing our neighbor shared on social media, where we found toilet paper and attempts at trimming our own hair all count. Do not be tempted!
- Speaking of social media, just say no during your sabbath time. If you spend time on social media, you know why. The same goes for the news.
- Activities that clear your mind or require focus are great for sabbath. Reading, watching a movie, playing video games, doing a puzzle, cooking something new, playing a sport or figuring out something tricky all focus your brain on a task or goal.
- Be safe. This doesn’t mean you should “forget” about social distancing and use this time to run around hugging everyone you see. Strolling through Target while touching your face without a care in the world still isn’t advised. Find a germ-free environment where you can turn your brain off for a bit and still be safe.
- Invite God into this time. Are you struggling to clear your mind? Ask God for help. Is there a hurdle in the way? Pray for guidance. Can’t calm the anxiety? Ask God to help ease it, even for this short time.
Sabbath is not about giving up, giving in or ignoring our problems. Instead, sabbath is about trusting that you can step away and renew so you can live life to the fullest. Sleep and rest are a necessary reality, not something we can choose to ignore. Just like we give our bodies rest, food and water as fuel we need to give our minds the same healthy environment to thrive. So find some time this week, trust in God guidance and love and take a break from COVID.
Blessings to you all,
Kristi Larson, Director of Youth and Family Ministries
