These are changing times we live in, right? This coronavirus outbreak is wreaking havoc on carefully laid plans everywhere. School’s been suspended. Travel postponed. Concerts and conferences and church services cancelled.
And no idea when (or if) life will ever return to normal.
Yes, the times are changing. But God is able to bring good out of all the hassle and hardship and heartbreak, just as He’s done countless times before. (Romans 8:28)
In the meantime, we mustn’t worry. (See Philippians 4:6; Matthew 6:25-34; 1 Peter 5:7)
Fretting about the future is counter-productive. In fact, stress and anxiety actually lower your immunity, which would be moving in the opposite direction of where you probably want to go right now, yes?
So if you’re tempted to borrow tomorrow’s troubles, stop. There are better ways to spend your time than worrying. Try some of the following suggestions, instead:
8 Great Ways to Spend Your Days at Home
Pray
Don’t underestimate the power of prayer! If you don’t know where to begin, check out my free printable prayer guides. In addition to praying for health and safety, I’d encourage you to pray for revival, as well. Because what our world needs even more than a cure for coronavirus is salvation from sin and the eternal hope that comes from embracing Christ.
Read
Use your down time to catch up on reading. Start your day with Bible reading, then branch out to other books if you like. If you still have children in the home, read aloud together as a family. Bonus: You can use our pretty bookmarks to keep your place. Each one is printed with a verse chosen to give peace and comfort during troubled or uncertain times.
Connect
Take advantage of extra time at home to get reacquainted with other members of your family. Linger around the dinner table. Take turns sharing what you’re grateful for each day. Share goals and dreams, family history and cherished memories.
Write
Send a letter. Start a blog. Begin outlining that book you’ve always wanted to write. Encourage your kids to write, too. Have them practice their penmanship. Or order them a journal of their very own.
Sing
Put in a favorite CD and sing along. Make up a praise chorus. Crack open an old hymnal and learn a few favorite hymns of yesteryear.
Study
Did you know Cambridge shut its doors and Sir Isaac Newton was quarantined for 18 months during the Bubonic Plague? Newton later described that time of seclusion “the most intellectually productive period of his life.” It was during that time he first began to develop calculus, discovered the law of gravity, and worked out his three essential laws of motion. Why not use this time of “social distancing” to fuel your curiosity? Learn a new language. Delve into a topic that has always interested you. Study for a CLEP exam.
Create
Use your downtime to paint a picture. Learn to sew. Prepare some new recipes. Plant a garden. Try a new craft.
Play
Break out your favorite board games. Go outside for some fresh air and sunshine. Toss a ball. Stage a push-up competition. Work a puzzle. Teach your kids how to play dominoes or spades. Use your time off to make every moment more meaningful!
I hope these 8 great ways to spend your days at home will help you redeem the time you can’t spend doing what you’d originally planned to do. If you think of something I should add to this list, please share it in the comments below. We may be cooped up for a while yet, and we’ll all be glad for some fresh ideas for fun!
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