Embracing The New Normal…

As I reflect upon the new normal of this global pandemic, I must honesty say my first response was resistance. This pandemic was seemingly forced upon us and in my rush to gain some sense of normality, I became frustrated trying to understand what God is doing in and around me. I found myself paralyzed by fear and worry. I was disoriented by the facts that seemed to be changing every day. Being the control freak that I am, I started cleaning and reorganizing spaces in my home to gain some sense of control.

I mourned the loss of opportunities, events that filled my calendar and speaking engagements that represented a good portion of my annual income. Suddenly my home which had become an empty nest, filled up again as my young adult children returned to the nest after their college campuses and dorms closed for the semester. We were sheltered in place and I had to find a new place in my home for rest and solace in the midst of the chaos. The busyness of Sunday morning came to a holy halt as we shut down worship services and moved everything to virtual platforms in order to keep ministry going while keeping the congregation safe. This is definitely a new normal.

I’m not sure when it happened, but one day I decided to stop fighting this new normal and embrace all that this new season had to offer. I began to bless the chaos as Dr. Leah Daughtry so eloquently put it, in one of my earliest, Tea Times with Dr. Toni. While things did not change, I changed. 
I was used to traveling on airplanes at least 2-3 times a month, either for ministry or recreation with my husband, girlfriends or family. I was in the gym 5 days a week with my trainer and attended regular spin and yoga classes. My calendar was full of appointments, meetings, networking and sorority events.

All of the things for which I attached my identity was suddenly changing and may not ever be the same. I knew I had to change if I was not only going to survive but thrive in this new normal. I shifted everything. I started finding new ways of living and being in the world. I embraced the outdoors, started walking in my neighborhood parks and hiking new trails in and around Georgia. I embraced my home gym and began working out at home with my trainer. I gathered a group of women for yoga via Zoom, dusted off my bike and started riding again with my husband. I’ve even entered his world on the outdoor shooting range.

I embraced new eating habits and healthier food choices so that I would not come out of this pandemic 30 pounds heavier. I’ve enjoyed cooking with my sons and daughters and home cooked meals share with close friends and family. I embraced social justice and speaking out against injustices and racial discrimination in our nation. I’ve enjoyed participating in prayer and protest rallies with other community and faith leaders.

I’ve embraced technology at a whole new level, preaching in empty sanctuaries via LiveStream, teaching and coaching via Zoom and praying on teleconferences. I launched my podcast, started a self-care network and relaunched my YouTube Channel!

Embracing a new normal requires a willingness to let go of old patterns. As we face the remaining months or years of this global pandemic let us embrace each day with courage, flexibility, focus and an imagination of a hopeful future.