My wife and I became homeowners last week and we moved into our house last weekend. This house is much larger than any other place that we've lived. It has an upstairs, a downstairs, and a basement. This is the first location we have lived as a couple that is more than 500 square feet.
It may be odd, but I think our previous small square footage bothered our cat. Leo is a strictly indoor animal. All his life he has only had a handful of windows to look out of, but he has plenty of windows and even more space in our new house. This last week he has come to know freedom! Before now he never had space to call his own, he never had an area to patrol, and his food dish was always right next to his litter box (Gross). But not anymore. Since last weekend, our cat feels the freedom similar to that of early pioneers moving West to the California territory. He is surrounded by nothing but open space.
Leo’s freedom, however, has not been felt by me or my wife. Like many of you this week we started working at home. The church office and the Community Foundation of Louisville office have closed because of the coronavirus threat. I have taken my laptop upstairs, and am currently laying on the floor writing this, and Miranda has taken the guest room downstairs. We stay in our house from morning to night. The biggest excitement I have is walking the trash can to the curb. I have never felt less free in my life.
Many of you reading this probably feel the same way. I doubt there is anyone but my cat who feels free during this time. I have made many of phone calls this week and heard stories about people spending so much time at home. I heard of spouses that have taken over the kitchen and made it their office, someone who rotates what room they work in every hour, and someone else who figured out their partner likes to yell on the phone all day. Many people have found it almost impossible to focus on work surrounded by the distractions of home, and a few have found it almost impossible to be at home surrounded by the distractions of work.
If you are struggling to find a sense of normalcy this week you're not alone. For me, Monday both feels like a month ago and also only yesterday. Adding a routine to your day is imperative, as we are trying to find a sense of normal. I talked with someone who gets up every morning and puts on their business clothes just as if they were going into the office. For them, this is a way to make sure that they feel as if they are in a business mindset. I think finding little tricks like this may help us all through this very trying and confining time. Also, make sure to give a phone call to someone you think might be lonely. It can not only help them, but you
too.
Psalm 23 describes the shadow of death as a valley stuck in the middle with two large earthen walls on each side, while the comfort of God is compared to green pastures with large, open space and quiet waters. As we all begin to spend more time in our homes, it could feel as if we are trapped in the valley of the shadow of death. But remember, Psalm 23 reminds us that God is with us even there. No matter where you are, you will always dwell in the House of the Lord.