I have loved Ecceleciastes ever since my teenage years. There was something that captured my heart even though I could not pinpoint what it exactly was. Nonetheless, I appreciated the call to embrace life fully with God. But I would have never guessed it would help me to cope with COVID-19. Yet it does by stating there is a time to refrain from embracing, time for social distancing.

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing.
(Ecc. 3:1,5, NIV,*)

How does this help me to deal with COVID-19, you ask. It reminds me that there is time for everything and now it is time for social distancing. This too shall pass but now it is time to refrain from embracing even if it’s Mothers’ Day on Sunday.

Time to refrain from embracing

Even though different times come and go, we have one constant in our lives and that is Jesus Christ. And our value comes from the Lord and it is also constant and non-negotiable. It does not increase when times are easy and it does not decrease when times are rough. Our value does not increase if we have children and it does not decrease if we don’t have. Just like your identity, also your value is in Christ, not in motherhood or work or success or even relationship status.

So hang in there, my friend. Times change but God does not. So we can count on him to always be there for us. No matter what we experience, it’s not news for God. He knows us intimately, he sees our situation precisely, and he loves us tenderly. So let’s approach him with confidence, he knows what’s best for us any given time whether it’s time to refrain from embracing or not, whether we need comfort or counsel or encouragement, he will bless us accordingly. We have an awesome God!

Gracious God,
You are so good to us.
We don’t deserve you yet you love us.
Help us to take every day from your hand
and rejoice and be glad in it.
Thank you for being a constant support for us,
we can count on you even when nothing makes sense.
Thankfully social distancing rules do not apply to you,
embrace us tightly, surround us with your lovingkindness.
We are yours, Lord, bless us, guide us, protect us.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: How do you feel about social distancing on Mothers’ Day? Anything I can pray for you?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you embrace Jesus for all your needs!

TimeLinking up today with Five-minute Friday. Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash.