I am naturally a positive person.
In general, I tend to think that the best case scenario will happen, and while life is sometimes tough, I always believe that things will work out in the end. It's usually in my wheelhouse to push through and persevere, whether I'm in the midst of a pandemic or not.
So when I had a breakdown this morning, it came as much of a surprise to me as it would to anyone who knows me well.
My reason for the tears may sound silly, but it felt all too real to me.
Though the threat to our business is definitely real (shopping for clothing has become low priority in this alternate universe we are living in), I'm not worried for the future of Wild Ruffle. God called Tammy and I to do what we are doing, and if the eventual outcome is that we are to close our doors, He will continue to take care of us in new ways.
I'm not anxious about our health either. We are doing our best to care for ourselves well, and we will deal with any illness that comes our way if it comes to that.
In addition, I'm finding a lot of joy in our current situation. My kids are tweens and teens. They are gone most evenings at their activities, and all day every day during school hours. Family dinners are now back in full effect, and I am LOVING that. We have set a loose schedule and are moving our bodies together, using our brains together, and cleaning our house top to bottom a little bit at a time.
But man, I miss people. People who aren't related to me kind of people. I'm an extreme extrovert and face to face communication is my thing. It fills me up. And it suddenly hit me today that it could be a very long time before I get to see people. Hug people. To share a laugh or even a smile with one another.
As I felt the tears start to well up, I ran up to my room and fell to my knees, turned on some worship music and just let the Lord do His thing. I cried hard. And in His sweet way, He reminded me that He is enough for me. Connection with other people is important, but He is more than able to fill those gaps for me while life looks different than I'm used to.
If you're feeling overwhelmed in this crazy time, He will fill your gaps too if you let Him. Each and every one of us will feel this in different ways. There is much that is simply beyond our control and that can be incredibly scary.
But God is good all the time, during a pandemic or otherwise. I'm clinging to that truth today, and in the days to come. Especially when I'm missing people.
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
If you have any prayer requests for Tammy and I, we would love to be in prayer for you. Those aren't empty words. We are committed to lifting you up. It would be our honor. Everyone's concerns and needs in this time are valid and real, and we want to be there for you.
We WILL get through this time together friends! And we so appreciate our Wild Ruffle community for the ways in which you've supported us these past few days. I'm looking forward to seeing many of your sweet faces in person when life goes back to the 'old normal' once again.
And hey - if you've got an extroverted friend, be sure to check in on them. ;)
