Italy’s streets and piazzas are usually full of people, even in the evening. But with the lockdown all that has changed. An eerie silence has settled over the strangely unpeopled streets and towns. Except for the car that goes through town every day with a loudspeaker broadcasting the order to stay indoors. That’s the final eerie touch that makes it seem like we’re living in wartime. And it makes us wish this was all a bad dream.
Amidst it all, I have decided to describe the situation. It has made life harder. We can’t do many of the things we normally do — we can’t even go for walks. Hubby has to wait an hour to get into the supermarket because only a few people are allowed in at a time. He’s also off work without pay for an unknown amount of time.
It’s all strange and a little unnerving. But what I’ve found most challenging of all is not being able to go to church. We can hold church services via streaming or Zoom, but it’s just not the same.
Nevertheless, it’s important not to focus solely on the negative aspects, which is all too easy to do. Otherwise, we open the door for fear, doubt, anxiety and even depression to creep in. Even — especially — in times like these, we must keep counting our blessings!
Lockdown is teaching us to:
1. Count our blessings
Instead of focusing on what we don’t have – I realize how important it is to count my blessings! I’m thankful that we went grocery shopping on a large scale when we saw that Northern Italy was going into lockdown. It’s a good thing we did, as we can no longer leave town to shop at cheaper stores. We have enough supplies to last us a while and will only need to go out for fresh items.
At the time, stocking up felt almost foolish. We wondered if perhaps we were overreacting. But the small shops in our town are expensive. So we figured that, even if nothing happened in our area, we would at least save money. And we did!
It helps, too, that we have fresh bread deliveries. Every morning the bread man stops on the street corner near our house and blows his horn. We can then go out and buy nice, fresh bread, which is usually still warm from the oven! I’m glad the bread man is still allowed to make his deliveries.
2. Value fellowship
We are learning how difficult loneliness and social isolation can be. God created us to be social beings. We need the company of others, and we need to be able to share our thoughts, feelings and experiences. All this isolation is bad for us.
In these modern days, at least we have many ways to communicate! Let’s take advantage of phone calls, chats, video conferences and even good old-fashioned snail mail!
3. Appreciate and make of use the extra time
Rather than letting boredom set in, use this time to learn new things and try new activities. Learn a new skill or take up a new hobby. Read those books you’ve been meaning to get to.
Learn to appreciate the blessings of solitude, silence and stillness. These are all important for our mental, emotional and spiritual health. Sometimes, we just need to slow down and unplug. We need to reconnect with the things that are lasting and meaningful in life. Lockdown can provide that opportunity.
For the most part, this lockdown hasn’t changed things much for a homebody like me, who is naturally quite reserved. My husband works most weekday afternoons and evenings. As I don’t have a car or a driving licence, I already spend a lot of time alone.
Although I am often alone, I am never truly alone because God is always with me. I am grateful that nothing can ever block Him or keep Him out. No locks, barriers or circumstances can do that. Nor even rules and laws.
I know that He is with me and I feel His presence especially strongly in my life at this time. It’s a great comfort.
You may feel alone during this strange time in history. You may be scared and worried. But I assure you that if you open your heart to Christ, you will never be completely alone again. He has made that promise, and He always keeps His promises
God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5
Praying for you there. Looking forward to seeing how God uses this in all of our lives.
Thanks Karen, we really appreciate it. We seem to have reached a peak and new contagions are diminishing. But the gov’t is passing more severe restrictions, which we don’t understand. But our peace is in God, knowing that he has all things in control. We are praying, too, that the situation doesn’t get real bad in other parts of the world.
Thank you for your positive words on how to deal with this Coronavirus threat. I shared them on Facebook.
Thank you so much, Janet! We can all use a dose of encouragement in these days!!
Sheila, I am glad that you are stocked up well and doing well. I, too, miss the fellowship at church – Bible study and worship services. Working on setting up a Bible study via Webex for wives. Thank you for writing about what it is like in Italy. God is so good. What a privilege we have to be able to have fellowship with Christians across the world and encourage each other. This is the true church. I’m praying for you and Mario. May you rest in God’s peace, security, and blessings. Karen
Thank you so much, Karen, for your prayers and well wishes. Know that ours are coming your way too. I see that things keep getting worse in the states as well. Thankfully our lives are in God’s hands. He knows best, and our hearts are at peace. Pray you stay safe and that you will see God’s hand in your lives in these days. Take care.
So glad, Sheila, that you and your husband are doing well! We too are isolating ourselves from others, due to my husband’s auto-immune deficiency. I am so thankful that, in spite of being alone, we can communicate with others (even around the world in Italy!) in many ways these days, to share our thoughts, hearts, and feelings, just like you said. I’m thankful our church offered a live-streamed service on Sunday and will continue to do so for at least several weeks. Such a blessing to see familiar faces and experience corporate worship–even if on a screen. Also enjoying Skype visits with our son and his family. They only live ten minutes away, but we haven’t seen them since a week ago Sunday. I’m also thankful we can prove Philippians 4:13, to do all things through Christ who gives us strength. In reality, this should not be that great a challenge–just an adjustment. (We’re so used to coming and going on a whim!) P.S. I had to smile when I read your last bullet point. Putting our roots down deep into God’s love (Ephesians 3:17) is the theme for my post tomorrow!
You’re so right, Nancy. This is one of the good things about technology! It is wonderful to be able to still have contact – it really helps to reduce the isolation. And contact with people around the world!! I’m looking forward to reading your upcoming post, sure it will be the blessing your posts always are!! These times are a golden opportunity for seeking him and sending our roots down deeper!!
Thank you for sharing this. It reminds me to keep you in my prayers.
Thank you! But I see that it’s gtting bad everyone. All of you, my readers, are in my prayers too. We need this kind of support more than ever!!
Thank you so much for sharing!!! I didn’t know when your post would come out and this one relates to the one I published today, too! He is with us, always!!!
I relate as I am a stay at home wife. The quiet moments have been spending time with the Lord, it’s such an opportunity.
You’re so right TR, even if I didn’t quite grasp that right away. Every so often I’m prone to a sort of adult temper tantrum. :( But God has a way of sometimes giving me a gentle slap on the side of the head and bringing me back around. The solitude has proved to be one of my life’s greatest blessings! God is so good!! Can’t wait to read your post… going to now!
Yes, He is so good at those reminders!!!! ♥️ Thanks for looking at my post 😊
It was encouragement and I hope it speaks to many!!
Beautifully written, and so encouraging! While none of us know what the outcome of all this will be, the one certainty we do have is security in Christ. Thank you for such an uplifting post!
Thank you Ron, for your encouragement. I really do hope it will encourage hearts in many places. We are secure in Christ’s love – come what may!
Thanks Sheila for sharing. I’m praying for you. We’re in semi lockdown now (partly self imposed). But apart from this acute time we’re going through, it was helpful to read how it was for you in your early years in Italy. As we may well emigrate in the next 5 years to be near family and for our daughter to learn her mother tongue, it’s helpful for me to be under no illusions after a number of lovely visits!
So happy it helped, Robert! Visits are often deceiving. Things are usually wonderful on holiday. And even if they’re not, we think it’s only for a few days or weeks, so I’ll survive. Knowing you’re there for good changes everything. But God use such times to deepen our relationship with him. And that is worth whatever it costs!
Profound and honest words, my friend. The isolation is a challenge, especially when everything here needs to be done remotely to protect others. But I love what it’s doing for all of us. We may complain about the inconvenience, but the Lord is allowing us to care for each other as we often don’t choose to do on most days. Thanks for your insights!
Thank you Dayle for your encouragement! Yes the Lord often uses trials and difficulties to get our attention, and in his own special way to bring good from them! Hope you’re keeping safe!!