Not a Waste

That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good. Psalm 104:28

April is over. Truthfully one of the oddest months I’ve ever experienced. April 2020 is a month I’m sure I’ll tell my babies about someday.

Why? Because April was our first complete month of shelter-in-place. (Hopefully the last full month.)

At the beginning of the month, April seemed to stretch far and away. It would never end. It would be the eternal month – eternal lockdown.

I think if we sit down and really think and view all of this in a negative way, April would seem like a waste. I’ve already seen people comment on that. In fact, I’ve already seen people comment that 2020 is a waste of a year. But is it?

Was April a waste of a month?

Of course, my answer is a resounding

NO.

Nothing is wasted! Each day is a gift from God. No day that passes is a waste. What we do with each day is what makes it count, but may we never look back and think, “My, how I wasted that hour/day/week.” You may feel something was a waste, but I can promise this past month was not a waste.

Trees are turning green and grass is growing lush.

I daresay more people were reached with the Gospel this past Easter than ever before – not to mention how many churches are streaming their services and getting God’s Word to the masses.

People are learning new routines. There are so many opportunities to create good habits right now.

We are all experiencing this differently – but are all experiencing basically the same thing. Do you know the comradery and fellowship that can create? As a hobby, I like starting conversations with strangers. But people are even more willing now – and more likely to engage and ask questions back. A Royal Farms employee looked me in the eye – over my mask – and asked me, “How are you doing? Are you ok?” I held conversations with strangers while we waited in the inordinately long line at the bank drive-thru. A sweet lady at Walmart, also wandering around the plant section, struck up conversation about how therapeutic gardening is especially during this time.

Seeing people I love is so much sweeter now. Last weekend I dropped off coffee to a friend in the midst of college finals, took plants to two families I miss, made homemade muffins for another family, and spent hours with my parents, brother, hubby, dog, and my family’s dog on Saturday. And it was all so GOOD. My heart was so warm after seeing these dear dear people!

In April I started a new devotional journal, made my library even cozier, spent tons of extra time with my hubby and pup, got a new plant, visited a place in Maryland that I didn’t even know existed (this was the same day I had the most elegant picnic of my life), finished two audiobooks, recorded and shared one of my original songs, and finished watching the entire Harry Potter movie series with my Potterhead husband. I have started working out again, spent much more time outside, listened to more podcasts, and discovered so much new, uplifting music. God has shown up during my quiet time with Him on the giant blue beanbag, convicting me of sin and bringing hope to my weary heart.

April hasn’t been a waste.

Nothing is wasted. I hope you don’t feel like you wasted April. Every day of every month is overflowing with blessings from Abba Father. Let’s be grateful, and continue making the most of the time we’ve been given.

We are who and where
And what we are for now
And this is the only moment
We can do anything about

So breathe it in and breathe it out
And listen to your heartbeat
There’s a wonder in the here and now
It’s right there in front of you
I don’t want you to miss the miracle of the moment

There’s only One Who knows
What’s really out there waiting
In all the moments yet to be

And all we need to know
Is He’s out there waiting
To Him the future’s history

And He has given us
A treasure called right now
And this is the only moment
We can do anything about

So breathe it in and breathe it out
And listen to your heartbeat
There’s a wonder in the here and now
It’s right there in front of you
I don’t want you to miss the miracle of the moment

Steven Curtis Chapman “Miracle of the Moment”