Mustard Seed
?I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed you can say to this mountain, ?move from here to there? and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. - Matthew 17:20
During this time of distancing and remote gatherings, I have been trying to tend to my ?mustard seed.? I don't want to move mountains, I just want us all to come through this time unscathed, stronger in faith, and able to serve with a deeper understanding of what it means to love one another.
For us, retirement in the time of pandemic looks pretty much like retirement in ordinary times (except we?re not going ANYWHERE!) Bob and I have already navigated those waters, so we are accustomed to being together almost all the time. What we hadn't planned for was the upheaval and disruption of our daily lives.
Anxiety and fear of the unknown have been my constant companions from the beginning of social distancing and, later, the closing down of much of society. Praying (for peace of mind, for family and friends, for all those on the front lines, for a cure, for a vaccine), staying busy, having a routine, and staying connected with church and family have helped me to deal with that turmoil. We are fortunate to have family in the neighborhood. Seeing them each morning while walking the dogs helps me focus on today. Being able to FaceTime with our daughter and granddaughter in Austin keeps them close.
I never thought I would be so grateful for technology. Taking advantage of the many different forms of communicating - Skype, FaceTime, Zoom, text, and actually talking to people on the phone - has helped us to stay in touch with loved ones on a daily basis. I am grateful for the many ways that SMBC uses technology that allows us to worship, attend Sunday School and Bible Study.
Focusing on gratitude instead of the daily bad news is keeping me centered.
It's a blessing alone that the weather has been sunny most of the days, soI can enjoy family dog walks. Most of my hours go by spending time on a jog, working out in my backyard, or throwing the tennis ball for our very naughty, but very loved boxer pup. I have had the opportunity to clear my head and remember what it feels like to be at peace and take a deep breath. And, with my dad working from home, I've been able to spend so much more time with him that is usually consumed with business lunches and conference calls.
There is so much uncertainty right now. The oil industry is plummeting, millions of people are jobless, and for the first time in my dad's life he couldn't get home to his family in England even if he needed to.
For the Peck-Hortons, focusing on the positive in our lives is keeping us afloat. Making a routine of walking the dogs, trying new workouts, tanning outside, picking up a book to read, or driving around and listening to a playlist. Bottom-line thinking of our blessings and hobbies that we can still count?holding onto our mustard seeds in this crazy time.
The Peck/Horton Family
