This past weekend, we took what was likely the last road trip we’ll take for a while. Just two days with an overnight at a hotel in between. COVID-19 information was changing hourly while we were there. So if we had scheduled the trip just forty-eight hours later, we definitely wouldn’t have gone. 

We had planned the trip in order for our girls to visit a friend who has moved to Louisville. My husband and I let them have girls’ time and we went exploring on our own. 

We visited an Abbey. Yes, really.

My husband and I visited a Trappist (Cistercian) Abbey, in rural Kentucky, of all places! 

My sister-in-law (an army wife) always said Kentucky is the coldest place on earth. And as a relentless, icy rain came down the whole time we were there, I started to believe her.

But the Abbey was invitingly warm and deliciously quiet.

I’m protestant but somewhat fascinated with Catholic traditions. We were able to participate in one of the brief services of praise and prayer, which are interspersed throughout their day. And then we also visited their really cool gift shop and watched a film about life there.

I found myself particularly intrigued by the rhythms and rituals of monastic life, and tried my best to imagine what it might be like. These guys start their day at 3:00 a.m. (yikes!), and have done more prayer services before breakfast than most of us see in a month! Yet they find time to keep bees, make fruitcakes, and take naps, among other things before the day is done.

In our usually frenetic pace, I rarely take time to contemplate daily rhythms. Even when I do take time to contemplate them, I’m rarely able to successfully implement uninterrupted routines!

I’m usually struggling just to find a blank space on the calendar to fill in all the activity reminders. And even though I would never wish the current state of affairs on us all, I’m certainly drawn to the idea of a slower pace.

In the space of a week, day-to-day life has completely changed.

In these first couple of days of our society gradually shutting down, I’ve felt the tension from my teens, who under no circumstances want any cramp put in their social lives, be it for their own good or the good of others. 

We’ve had to discuss the reality of the danger to many loved-ones who have compromised immune systems. So they’re being compliant, just not cheerfully so.

My husband and I would certainly love some time to catch up on any number of things. Home projects, reading, and just sharing some meals together as a family would be ideal. However, no peaceful rhythm has settled onto our home as yet. 

He’s still trying to figure out what his work schedule will look like as well as assisting in some church and workplace decision-making. I’ve been busy with lots more meal prep at home and preparation for “sheltering in place.” I’m also continuing to sit with a sick friend and coordinate her other caregivers. 

Additionally, I find myself glued to the news more than usual, just trying to stay up on the latest rapidly-changing data and public health mandates. So I haven’t yet experienced any net gain of time from all the canceled activities.

What will the new normal look like?

My hope is that once we’ve settled into a sort of new normal, and for however long we are able to stay well, I can find more time to read, pray and have unhurried conversations with family and friends. 

Catching up on housework and getting our taxes done on time for once wouldn’t hurt either! 

I don’t want to give the wrong impression that I’m in any way glad this pandemic is happening. But as none of us can change it (other than by doing our individual part to keep from spreading it), I just want to look for positives and make the best of the situation.

All the while I trust that God is still sovereign. I know that nothing has caught Him by surprise. And there’s ultimately nothing that He cannot redeem for our ultimate good and His glory.

Perhaps it’s a good time to take a cue from the monks, and settle into industrious, yet contemplative daily rhythms, with lots of prayer (and some occasional checking for news updates…). 

We might just learn some valuable lessons we can take with us into the uncertain future. And now that I think about it, it’s really always been that way, hasn’t it?

What will you do with this time during which life as we know it is suspended indefinitely?