Coronavirus Confinement: One Woman’s Story

Published on April 8, 2020January 2, 2021 by tinavila2011 Comments

It’s been one month, almost to the day, since my world shut down. I know the timeline of Covid-19 is a little different for everyone, but that’s mine.

I have started, and re-started this post more than any other I’ve written thus far – probably over a dozen times. It’s such a HUGE topic, affecting literally the entire planet. Yet we are all experiencing and reacting to it a little differently.

I kept reflecting on what I could possibly say that would be of any value at this time. Y’all don’t need another person to tell you to stay home. And you could easily look up your favourite influencers who communicate more eloquently than I. But there’s just something about hearing someone’s personal experience that draws us in, y’know? So if you’re still reading, thank you!

Just sitting down for the 42nd snack of the day!

Here are a few things I’ve enjoyed about this forced quarantine:

Slow mornings with the kids – our internal clocks have shifted, so getting up later and not having to rush out the door is so nice.
Tea time with my boys – rooibos with honey and almond milk for them, black chai with vanilla almond creamer for me.
Not having to make school lunches every night – even though it feels like they eat ALL THE LIVE LONG DAY, the break from school lunches is still a win.
Relaxed evenings together – lots of movies, games, or just sitting nearby reading with no extracurriculars to rush off to.

Lots of bike rides through our quiet neighbourhood.
Riding by the boys’ school is quite bittersweet.

Here’s what’s been really hard for me during the quarantine:

Solo-parenting despite husband working from home – he is busier than EVER getting the church services streamed online. So even though he’s home, we don’t see much of him.
Being surrounded (bombarded) by my children AT. ALL. TIMES. – They aren’t bad kids, and they mostly get along, but being “ON” all the time takes its toll.
Being my boys’ new teacher – one eldest child thinks it’s a good idea to wake me up begging to start his schoolwork before I am conscious. One middle child has speed-passed into the eye rolling angsty teen years now that he’s required to identify words that begin with S.
Working from home – this isn’t new for me, I’ve always worked from home, but juggling that on top of everyone else being home has been a challenge.

Behind the scenes of our “studio” where worship music is recorded and the Sunday services are produced.

So what’s been getting me through?

If you read my last post, https://fromtheoverflow.home.blog/2020/04/03/writing-these-words-on-my-heart/, you know that I go to my Bible when I want to speak into someone’s life. Well, this also applies for me personally! I don’t find much value in positive self-talk. Mostly because I quickly spiral into negative self talk. I prefer to go to God’s Word to see what He has to say about me, and how He might encourage me instead.

So here are some passages that have blessed me through this time, plus a little commentary or background info thrown in, free of charge.

A Sunday drive through the county with drive-thru coffee is my personal favourite pastime.

For God will never give you the spirit of fear, but the Holy Spirit who gives you mighty power, love, and self-control.
– II Timothy 1:6

Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I’m reminded that fear and anxiety are NOT from the Lord. What He has given me, because I’ve given my life to follow Him, is a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. He has equipped me to face hard days, sad days, overwhelming days, exasperating days, and everything in between. I don’t always get it right or do it perfectly, but this verse is a great reminder of what God has given me to help me!

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand.
– Isaiah 41:10

This verse has been a constant source of peace for me for many years now. I frequently need the reminder to not be afraid. I also need the reminder to not be discouraged. And I definitely need to be reminded of why! Because God will strengthen me, help me, and hold me up when I don’t feel like I can go on.

Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The enemy you see today will never be seen again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
– Exodus: 14:13-14

This is one of my favourite verses. The Israelites had just escaped slavery in Egypt but find themselves stuck between a rock and a hard place: The Red Sea ahead of them, and the Egyptian army on their tail. Not surprisingly, they are in a panic. Moses tells the people not to be afraid! This looks like a hopeless situation. But they are told to simply trust in God more than what their eyes can see. STAND FIRM IN FAITH! And then watch how the Lord will fight for you. Just be still in His presence, and watch.

I sooooo need this reminder on the DAILY. To calm my heart, to be still, and then watch how the Lord will work things out when I don’t think there’s a way out. As God miraculously parted the Red Sea for the Israelites in a moment that felt hopeless, He can make a way for you and me as well.

The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
– Deuteronomy 31:8

This verse is another one my favourites! The context takes place during Moses’ final address to the nation of Israel before they embark on their journey to the Promised Land without him. When I put myself in their position, I’m certain I would be terrified to go on without Moses. He represented God to the people! If anything went well for the Israelites, it is because Moses was obedient, or Moses pleaded with the Lord for mercy on their behalf. He wasn’t just a strong leader, he was the only leader they knew! Everything about their lives was about to change: leaving the only home they had ever known, the desert. And with a new man in charge, Joshua. So much change, so much unknown.

But Moses reminds the people that the Lord is the most important CONSTANT they ever need. He goes ahead of us, and He is always with us. He will never leave or abandon us, so we don’t need to be afraid or discouraged.

Kids love a good puppet show with my parents via video chat!

²⁵“I tell you, do not worry. Don’t worry about your life and what you will eat or drink. And don’t worry about your body and what you will wear. Isn’t there more to life than eating? Aren’t there more important things for the body than clothes? ²⁶Look at the birds of the air. They don’t plant or gather crops. They don’t put away crops in storerooms. But your Father who is in heaven feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than they are? ²⁷Can you add even one hour to your life by worrying?
²⁸“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the wild flowers grow. They don’t work or make clothing. ²⁹But here is what I tell you. Not even Solomon in all his royal robes was dressed like one of these flowers. ³⁰If that is how God dresses the wild grass, won’t He dress you even better? Your faith is so small! After all, the grass is here only today. Tomorrow it is thrown into the fire. ³¹So don’t worry. Don’t say, ‘What will we eat?’ Or, ‘What will we drink?’ Or, ‘What will we wear?’ ³²People who are ungodly run after all those things. Your Father who is in heaven knows that you need them. ³³But put God’s kingdom first. Do what He wants you to do. Then all those things will also be given to you.
³⁴So don’t worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
– Matthew 6:25-34

This is a longer one, but with so much uncertainty surrounding this Covid-19 pandemic, and especially how it has affected personal finances, health, and basically any aspect of normal life, I don’t think it has ever resonated with me more.

It is such a timely reminder to focus on just one. day. at. a. time. To trust God with anything and everything that might give me cause to worry. And to truly believe that the Lord will provide for my needs. He has been faithful to do so before, so I KNOW I can trust Him now.

The Lord God is like the sun that gives us light. He is like a shield that keeps us safe. The Lord blesses us with favour and honour. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.
– Psalm 84:11b

There are so many promises throughout scripture that we can claim as followers of Jesus. This is one I especially cling to at this time. The Lord lights up my life and He is my protector. The Lord loves to give good gifts to His children and this is one of many verses that points to just that. When we follow Him and walk in His ways, we can trust that He will bless us, for our good and His glory. It may not be in the way we want, but it is always for His good purposes.

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.
– Philippians 4:19

I think it’s worth including verses from both the Old and New Testaments that speak of God’s promise to give us good things and meet all our needs. So, this verse is similar to the one above it in that way. When we commit our lives to Jesus, God promises to meet all our needs. And THIS is why we don’t need to worry, or be afraid. We can trust that He will provide a way, even when it looks like there is no way.

¹⁴For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
²⁰Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
– Ephesians 3:14-21

This is one of those powerhouse passages that’s worth re-reading, or dare I say, memorizing! I don’t know where to even begin commenting on this one. But I am especially encouraged with verse 20 that states that the Lord is… able to do IMMEASURABLY more than all I ask or imagine according to his power… Honestly, I find it hard to remain in a state of despair or discouragement when reading that. That the Lord can do more than I ask or even imagine? Not just a little more, but immeasurably more? Yes please! I’ll take some of that at a time like this!

Streaming church at home!
We love staying connected to our church family in this way!

If you’re not familiar with the Bible, or unsure about exploring it, these songs are another place to start. They have filled me with so much peace in this unprecedented season.

A beautiful reminder that God’s presence goes with you, and His blessings over you and your children and their children.

The upper room in scripture is where God’s Spirit met His people.
This song is a dedication to make my whole life an upper room for God to meet me, speak to me, and lead me.

This song is an encouragement to me that even in the waiting and unknown, God is with me and I am not alone.

This song didn’t fully resonate until I, like everyone else, was forced into isolation. It speaks of how when it is finally still and quiet and silent, God can finally speak and I can finally hear Him.

These lines best sum up this song:

No one ever cared for me like Jesus
His faithful hand has held me all this way
And when I’m old and grey
And all my days are numbered on the earth
Let it be known in you alone
My joy was found

If these songs, or words of scripture are new, but have also been an encouragement to you, I’m so very glad.

If you have questions about any of them, or would like more suggestions, just HOLLAAA! (Because honestly, it was so hard to narrow down Bible verses and songs for this post… way more where that came from!)

I am very aware that this is a really hard season for so many. But I also very strongly believe that Jesus loves you and wants to give you peace through this time. He is worthy and worth it. Ask me about Him! He has never let me down. He is faithful and true.

Finally, If you’ve had someone specific in mind while reading this, I encourage you to share it with them! And please let me know if you do!

Writing These Words on my Heart

Published on April 3, 2020January 2, 2021 by tinavila203 Comments

Proverbs 3:1-4
My child, do not forget my teaching.
    Keep my commands in your heart.
They will help you live for many years.
    They will bring you peace and success.
Don’t let love and truth ever leave you.
    Tie them around your neck.
    Write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will find favour and a good name
    in the eyes of God and people.

*The face of a girl who’s hiding God’s word in her heart!*

Scripture memory is so close to my heart. I find it an exciting challenge to commit more and more Bible verses to memory, and I hope this post is contagious in that way!

In a previous post https://fromtheoverflow.home.blog/2020/02/07/milestones-memorials-and-the-years-of-4/, I briefly touched on how my journey with scripture memory began in 2010 when I was at a conference. The Lord impressed on my heart the importance of memorizing His Word, and I felt convicted to take that more seriously.

While at that conference, I met a woman about 10 years older than I was at the time (coincidently, she was about the age that I am now). I discovered that she had two young children, a small ministry, AND had memorized entire books of the Bible, one of which was the book of James.

I remember reflecting on how amazing it was that I sensed God wanted me to memorize His Word, and nearly right after that, I met a woman who was doing just that!

I also remember thinking that memorizing entire books of the Bible was beyond ridiculous, and I couldn’t imagine how she pulled that off with two kids to boot! I had all of ZERO children at the time. The most I was responsible for was a monstera plant, which I’m proud to say, is still thriving.

While still at that same conference, I came across this book in their bookstore:

*100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know by Heart*
*by Robert J. Morgan*

This simple little book was an absolute game-changer for me in forming the habit of memorizing God’s Word. It’s divided into two sections. One section discusses the importance of committing God’s Word to memory, and what God says about this practice.

The second section lists 100 Bible verses everyone should know by heart and includes a short write up on each one, highlighting its context and importance for a daily walk of faith. It also includes a tip for memorizing each verse.

I got started on my memorizing journey right on my flight home from that conference. I was so excited!

When I got home, I devoted my mornings before work to adding verses to my list of memorized scripture. It took me a few months to get through the 100 recommended verses from the book, and then I started adding some other favourites to the list.

Every morning I would run through all the verses I had memorizes as though I were reciting a script from a play. The repetition really made them stick.

I kept this up for about a year and a half, with periodic breaks. But then halted altogether when my first son was born, due to mild postpartum depression (stay tuned for a future post on that can of beans).

This excerpt so beautifully sums up the benefits of scripture memorization:

When we memorize a word, phrase, line, or verse from God’s Word, it’s like implanting a powerful radioactive speck of the very mind of God into our own finite brains. As we review it or hear it spoken again, it sinks deeper into our heads. As we learn it “by heart”, it descends into the hidden crevices and fissures of our souls. As we meditate on it, it begins sending out its quiet, therapeutic waves of influence. And, as the apostle Paul said, we are transformed by the renewing of our thoughts (see Rom. 12:2)”
– Robert J. Morgan, 100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know by Heart

Backtracking to one little anecdote in particular:

At some point, I considered taking a break from memorizing scripture because I felt like it had lost the spark it once had. So I prayed about it and asked God to show me what I should do. On that particular day, I had memorized a verse in Galatians.

That night, I dreamt that a masked man entered my apartment with a gun…

He pointed the gun at me, and shouted at me to renounce my faith or die. The gun was so close, I could feel the cold metal pressed against my face. And all I remember next is standing before this dark, commanding figure, and calmly reciting the verse I had literally committed to memory that very day:

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
– Galatians 2:20

When I awoke from that dream, I knew I had my answer. I don’t know what I’ll face in this life, but I want to be equipped and ready for it with the Word of God. A passion for memorizing God’s Word was renewed in me and I carried on with new resolve and zeal. It is a privilege to have access to the Word of God. It is a privilege to get to read it over and over and learn something new every time. I never want to take that for granted.

If you’re looking for a guide through scripture memorization: *10/10 would recommend*!

I’m grateful for the foundation that that season of zealous memorization gave me. Because after I had children, I did not commit one more verse to memory until the fall of 2019.

I went from memorizing approximately 250 Bible verses in about 18 months, to nothing at all for about 8 years. It’s really sobering to put that in writing, and I’m trying not to regret all that time lost.

So, it was six months prior to writing this post that I was reminded of that woman I met at that conference all those years ago. Just an ordinary woman and mother, who memorized entire books of the Bible. Well, because of my obsessive, and sometimes overly ambitious personality, I decided to take on the book of James myself as she had.

I really wanted to write this post having completed memorizing the book of James.

5 chapters
434 verses
6 months

But it didn’t work out that way. I am currently about 6 verses short of my goal.

And the truth is that it’s really really really really SUPER hard for me to press the Publish button on this post without having completed the book.

I know I’ll get there. But hopefully this vulnerability will speak louder than any arbitrary accomplishment could. Because I’m aware that my own made up deadline doesn’t actually mean anything to anyone but me.

Anyway!!! Enough about that…

Here’s why memorizing God’s Word is a good idea:

We are commanded to memorize scripture
Perhaps a gentler way to put it is that we are called to memorize scripture. But either way, Moses told the Israelites to make God’s Word a regular part of their everyday lives, and we should too. Moses said it this way:

The commandments I give you today must be in your hearts. Make sure your children learn them. Talk about them when you are at home. Talk about them when you walk along the road. Speak about them when you go to bed. And speak about them when you get up. Write them down and tie them on your hands as a reminder. Also tie them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses. Also write them on your gates.
– Deuteronomy 6:6-9

Jesus set the example for us
When Jesus was tempted in the desert after fasting for forty days, He didn’t get into a debate or squabble with the enemy. Satan tempted Him, and He responded with words from scripture that He had previously committed to memory. That’s it!
I don’t know about you, but if God’s Word was good enough for Jesus in a challenging situation, then why wouldn’t it be good enough for me? I want to be READY when the difficulty comes! Not to fight against others, but to know the TRUTH against the lies that the enemy tries to use to bring me down. I want to be equipped from the inside out. Jesus modelled that for us and it inspires me to do the same.

If you hold to My teaching, you prove that you are My true followers. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
– Jesus, from the Gospel of John 8:31-32

So put on all of God’s armor. Evil days will come. But you will be able to stand up to anything. And after you have done everything you can, you will still be standing… so take the sword of the Holy Spirit. The sword is God’s word.
– Ephesians 6:13, 17

“But I just never know what to say…” (Hey! You’ll actually know what to say!)
Thinking back on my growing up years, I often spoke without thinking, said things I’d later regret, or simply talked too much! In more recent years, I find myself considering more heavily what my words will be in a situation. Sometimes I don’t say anything at all for fear of saying the wrong thing. I’ve realized that I would rather speak the Words of God than my own words on a given topic. So memorized scripture has been so helpful to me when I want to encourage, challenge, bless, or comfort a friend. I trust God’s Words a zillion times more than I trust my own. So committing His Words to memory is a sure way to have the right thing to say when given the opportunity to speak into someone’s life.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.
– II Timothy 3:16

Life hack: *memorizing* Bible verses goes exponentially better outdoors

There are many more great reasons to memorize scripture (verses, passages, or books), so if you don’t like those, feel free to Google more!

Here are some tips that have helped me commit scripture to memory:

LOOK FOR ACRONYMS, RHYMING WORDS, WORD ASSOCIATIONS, ETC.
Once you’ve chosen a Bible verse to memorize, see what little tricks you can come up with to help you remember the words. Find key words that rhyme, or key words that start with the same letter, or alphabet patterns. These will all help you remember what’s next.
READ THE VERSE ALOUD
Studies have shown that reading a verse out loud helps your brain retain the words more quickly and strongly because of the dual effect that speaking and hearing have on the brain.
[Read the verse aloud] OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER…
When you meet someone for the first time, it’s recommended that you repeat their name a few times to help you remember it. Experts suggest that it takes repeating something 30 times for it to be committed to memory. So just keep reading that verse over and over. Eventually it’ll stick!
START GLANCING UP WHILE READING THE VERSE AS YOU GROW FAMILIAR WITH IT
My advice: don’t rush this part. You’ll find yourself more frustrated and impatient if you realize you didn’t know it as well as you thought you did, and you may feel like giving up.
Get really comfortable with reading a verse out loud many times before taking your eyes of the page. And when you do, keep saying the verse over and over, glancing down when you need a prompt.
RECITE YOUR MEMORIZED SCRIPTURE ALOUD AND OFTEN!
That’s it! Once you’ve memorized a verse, keep it fresh in your mind by going over it and over it and over it until you’re saying it without thinking, and then keep saying it!

Where do I start?

Choose verses that are meaningful to you
Maybe you’ve chosen a life verse, or a verse for this year, or maybe one verse in particular helped you through a difficult time, or a friend gave you a verse that meant a lot when you really needed it.
Whatever the context, if you have some favourites, start by memorizing those!
Here are some popular verses and passages I recommend:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
– John 3:16

¹The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
²    He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
³    he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
⁴Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.
⁵You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
⁶Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.
– Psalm 23 [The Lord is My Shepherd]

²⁴“‘“The Lord bless you
and keep you;
²⁵the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
²⁶the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’
– Numbers 6:24-26 [Prayer of Blessing]

Why memorize entire passages or books of the Bible?

It’s easier to actually learn something from what you’re memorizing because you are going over important teachings in the full context that they were written.
It’s easier to memorize a passage vs. a list of favourite verses because they actually flow into each other. Similar to memorizing the words of a song: the flow makes sense in your brain, and it’s easier to remember the verses that come next when they all actually go together in the first place
It’s a fun challenge. Like skydiving! Sort of…
If you want to memorize a longer passage of scripture, try it out with your favourite Psalm! The book of Psalms is essentially a collection of poems and songs, so they flow really easily in memorization.

Here’s one of my favourite memorized Psalms:

¹Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
²    Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
³Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
⁴Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
⁵For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations.
– Psalm 100

Do you have any favourite verses committed to memory?
My hope and prayer, at the very least, is that this post makes you want to give it a try!

If you’ve got any tips that I’ve left out here, please share them in the comments! I’d love to hear from you.