What Are You Learning About Yourself In This Season?

What are you learning about yourself through this pandemic?

I lead a women’s group at our church on Monday evenings. As in-person gatherings began to shut down in March, we moved our weekly powwows online. And what a wonderful gift that has been! It’s a joy to connect weekly with those in our group who can still meet through technology. (We miss those who can’t.) Being able to see these dear women’s faces through my screen infuses hope to my soul! It’s a highlight of my week!

One of our group members shared in our Zoom video call last evening two questions she was asked recently on a work-related call. The first one was similar to the question above, What are you learning about yourself through this pandemic? The second I’ll cover in my next blog post.

Even though we didn’t get a chance to discuss it and share our answers to this question last night (we hope to do that next week), it got me thinking. What have I learned about myself during this COVID-19 outbreak? What am I currently learning about myself as I continue to practice physical distancing? I think answering these kinds questions can be powerful. I think it can be helpful in learning more about who we are, and I can see how God can use questions like these for our good and for our growth.

So, how about you, friend?

What are you learning about yourself in this season?

The more I’ve thought about this in the last thirteen hours, the more I’m not sure I wan’t to answer. I wish I could say because of my faith that I’ve remained strong, that I’ve been a solid rock to lean on. I wish I could say I’ve been able to trust God completely, every moment of every day. And, I wish I could say I’m learning wonderful realities about myself. Realities that are amazing, and pleasing, and excellent.

But, that wouldn’t be entirely true. Yes, I’m learning some good things about myself. I’ve had moments when my faith helped me remain strong. A few times I’ve been a solid rock to lean on (thank you, God). And, I’ve trusted God more often than not. But, I’ve also had times of wavering trust, and of frail faith. And, quite honestly, some of the realities I’m learning about myself aren’t so positive.

That’s how we grow, though, right? When we learn those unpleasant things about ourselves, that’s when we can ask God to help us, to transform us, to continue to mold us into the people He desires us to be. So, I’m sharing my list with you today.

What I’m learning about myself:

I am stronger than I thought; I’m also weaker than I thought.
I don’t need all the things I’ve thought I needed.
Cooking can be something I enjoy.
I am not a pleasant person when I worry.
I’ve totally downplayed the importance of lounge wear.
Chocolate does not make me feel better. But, praying does.
I am way too hard on myself.
I don’t have to get it all done today.
Wearing makeup can be optional. Having a chai tea latte is not.
I need social interaction more than I realized.
I can bake sweets and eat them all.
It’s not wise for me to watch too much news on t.v.
The more I write, the happier I am.
I miss spending time with my children.
I like being home.
My focus might have been a little out of whack before all this happened.
When someone I love is sick, I want to fix him/her.
My relationship with Jesus is most important.

I plan to add to the list as I continue to walk this road of distancing through COVID-19.

Because I don’t want to waste this time.

I want to learn all God has for me to learn… about me, about Him, about others, and about life. I believe asking ourselves this kind of question and making this kind of list is helpful. And actually, some of it makes me smile.

We each are dealing with this unprecedented season in our lives the best we can. We have different experiences and are likely walking through different circumstances. As we learn realities about ourselves, it also helps us give grace to others. They are learning more about themselves as well.

I invite you to answer this question for yourself and share a few items of your list below. I’m thankful we get to walk this road together!

God bless you, friend!