5 Minutes with Mel #3: Isolation - Finding purpose and something to look forward to

The Full Life Podcast with Melanie Lynam

The other day I read a post from a Facebook friend who said, “One thing they feel sad about is that they don’t have anything to look forward to right now.” and I thought that’s so true.

As someone who stays home pretty much every single day right now, The days can blend into each other. Some times I can’t even remember what day it is. Usually you would have something to mark a day such as coffee with a friend or an apt but right now it’s the same thing every day.

Having something fun to look forward to is really healthy for our soul and so I thought that I’d give you some ideas that might help you to feel like there is something on your weekly calendar to look forward to.

Weekly:

Join a church life group or start your own. Dan had just started his for young dads…

Have coffee with Bobbie Houston Co-seniour pastor of Hillsong Church Global 9am Sydney time Thursdays.

Organise a girls night catch up via Zoom once a month.

Go for a walk in the afternoon

A fun family activity at home for the whole family like camping out in the backyard, fire with marshmallows and damper, go for a walk/scooter/bike ride

Go for a walk once a week with a close friend/sibling (1.5m)

Plan a date night with hubby once a fortnight where you order take out after the kids are in bed, play some games or just talk.

Daily:

Nap time - something fun for you to do like nap, nails, read with cuppa or give kids 1.5 hours of tv and call it Mum time.

Make a plan for the day the night before - list of fun things you can do with kids during the week (lots of ideas online) For me it’s bake, youtube ballet lessons, online zoos and museums, sow something, board games, scavenger hunt. Then you have lots of ideas to pull out of the hat when they take a break from playing with each other and say those dreaded words, “I’m bored. What can I do?”
I want to remind you that even if we don’t feel it, every day has great purpose.

Ephesians 2:10

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

I thought, what do I want to achieve most during this time of isolation? Was thinking project around the house or with podcast and as I thought about this I looked up and sore my 3 beautiful girls were crowding around me as I held baby Joshy on my lap and I thought, they shall be my greatest achievement. Doing what I can to make this a fun family time for them will be my greatest achievement.

Some thoughts on enjoying every day.

Philippians 4:4

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"

Psalm 118:24 New Living Translation (NLT)

"This is the day the Lord has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it."

Psalm 68:3

But let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God’s presence. Let them be filled with joy.

Psalm 89:15

Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, Lord.

Psalm 37:23 New Living Translation (NLT)

"The Lord directs the steps of the godly.
He delights in every detail of their lives."
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