Wow, I don’t think any of us knew what 2020 was going to throw at us. When I decided to join Share Something Saturday last January I probably thought I’d have more to share than continuing pandemic updates.
Something Loved
Being at church again has been wonderful! It’s far from ideal (masks, socially distanced, no children’s programs). But when I closed my eyes, I could almost forget for a while that I was standing in a mostly empty room and feel some sense of normalcy.
As a 21st century Christian, it’s easy to underestimate the power of gathering in person as a body of believers. So much of modern life is successfully digital, why should church be any different? While I’m grateful for the technology to keep the body of Christ connected during times like this, I’ve been reminded again why that cannot be a permanent substitute.
Something Read
I finally read The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay directly followed by Literature and Lattes which, unbeknownst to me, is a sequel that seems to be setting us up for a third book in what I presume will be a trilogy. I like the first one very much and I enjoyed the second as well, even though I feel it can’t stand alone as well as the first and has a slightly less satisfying ending.
After a brief foray into contemporary fiction, I’m back to historic fiction with Elizabeth Camden’s The Spice King to be directly followed by A Gilded Lady. I’m reading less than I was in May and early June so we’ll see how things go.
Something Treasured
We regularly have dinner with our extended family (my parents; my sister, brother in law and their kids) and we had to take a break from that for a while during the depths of quarantine. But we’ve resumed now and plan to continue for the foreseeable future for which I’m very glad.
I’ve always enjoyed this, but there were definitely times when my kids were small that I wondered if it was worth it. My children are loud, especially my boys, and it’s definitely been a period of adjustment for my mom who raised two girls to have six grandsons running around.
But it is a little easier this time of year. My parents have a big backyard and when it’s not too hot we eat on the sunporch and send the kids out to play. When we’re at our best, it’s a relaxing and bonding experience that I missed very much.
Something Ahead
I’m a planner and usually, by now, I have some idea of what my fall is going to look like. But not this year. I find myself slow to purchase resources, and making short term rather than long term plans.
Because none of us really ever know what’s ahead. In times of normalcy, we create the illusion of control through planning. I love planning but if I’m honest, life can go off course very quickly.
I actually got some news, while writing this post that is changing everything. This fall is going to look nothing like I thought. I can’t decide yet if that’s a good or bad but it’s definitely going to be a challenge.
It’s your turn to share! Link to your #sharefoursomethings post or leave them in the comments here!
So glad to hear you are being blessed in your church gathering – we still have not reopened, and don’t have a date to do so either, so that’s hard! Intriguing cliff hanger you left there, will have to visit again next time! 🙂
I’m adding to my “to read” list. I most always find the 2nd book in a trilogy to be the least satisfying, I suppose because it does the so-called boring work of bridging the stories.
I sometimes wait until all three books are out to reduce the lag. But in this case, I didn’t know until I’d already started. Both are definitely still worth the read.
Our church started back this month too (outdoors) but it has been so worth it! It felt so good to be back in community with my church family. Those books sound interesting and the cover is delightful!
How wonderful to be able to resume family dinners. I would love that! I mean to have extended family to anticipate gathering with etc….even if they were loud!!
I love books about books so I will check out your suggestion. I definitely miss meeting in-person for church. There’s definitely something about physically fellowshiping with others to uplift the soul.