I’m tempted to say “Don’t waste a good pandemic” but that would be snarky and subject to unnecessary complaints, so I will not say that. What I do want to say is—this is a huge opportunity to see things differently and to do things differently because, well, things are different. Don’t let this weird downtime go to waste. Do new stuff. I love the idea of “Church as Family,” and by that, I mean church certainly is not a bunch of buildings but a group of people who are there for each other, care for each other, and point each other toward God despite differences in age, taste, and energy. Your kids have too much energy to just sit around wasting time, so guide them to new adventures—which they will resist. Don’t give in. Make a plan to do stuff they do not get to do under normal circumstances, like:
- Sneak over and clean up the yard of a neighbor. Maybe an older couple who is nervous about getting outside. Maybe even pick up after their dog!
- Offer to walk/play with the dog(s) of elderly neighbors.
- How about helping a single mom who is feeling overwhelmed and can’t go to work because her kids are home? You could buy just a few packaged groceries, go into stealth mode, and leave a care package on the front porch with a note. The note will, of course, give the secret away, but . . . In the note, tell her you are there to help and are praying for her.
- Organize games for the neighbor kids to get them out of the house (ten kids or fewer, of course, per CDC recommendations).
- Make a point for your kids to call or FaceTime (or whichever tool) your family and grandparents. Have them do a news update including weather reports, etc. Have the kids build the list of things to talk about and tape it or do it live (which might be much funnier anyway). Care for those in your circle of influence, even if they are hundreds of miles away.
- Contact two friends or family members every day with encouragement and conversation.
Remember: This list is only limited by the energy of your kids (unlimited) and their creativity if encouraged enough (also unlimited).
It would be invigorating for your kids to begin thinking and working for others—the way families are supposed to. Do not wait for the “church” to do something. Go rogue. Do ministry stuff on your own, with your kids and for those in your circle of influence. You are the church, and you can do stuff I cannot with people I will never know.