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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n\u201cPlease, quiet down, I\u2019m on a call!\u201d I said through gritted\nteeth. Even though I tried to exude calmness in my voice, in reality, I was\nlike a duck swimming in water, calm on top, but furiously paddling just beneath\nthe surface. My mind churned as I felt anxiety and pressure building in my\nattempt to balance working remotely while sheltering in place with my family. During\nthis season of social-distancing, many can likely relate to the stress of trying\nto work from home with children who have their own pent-up frustrations as they\nattempt their new online education. Add to that no outside activities, no favorite\nshopping malls and no restaurants, and the \u201ccabin fever\u201d sets in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you\u2019re a family like mine that has a child with special\nneeds, it can be like adding rocket fuel to a fire. We are usually prepared for\nchallenges surrounding vacations and holidays when routines are lost, but when weeks\nturn into months with no school, no therapies and no breaks\u2014it can easily turn\ninto no patience. Exhaustion and despondency can quickly develop when we as\nparents are giving constant attention to our child\u2019s needs throughout the day with\nlittle to no relief. And, let\u2019s not forget the challenges our children face.\nMany, like my son, cannot comprehend the reason for sudden school closures and changes\nto his normal routine. As a result, the occasional outburst is evolving into\nfrequent full meltdowns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe truth is that these are uncertain and unprecedented\ntimes for everyone. But I find peace in knowing that the Word of God transcends\nall time and circumstances. Scripture is indeed timeless, and we can apply it to\nour lives\u2014even during a global pandemic. In Psalm 91, the psalmist reminds us\nthat during the most trying times, God is indeed our \u201cshelter, refuge and place\nof safety.\u201d It\u2019s believed that Moses wrote this psalm during the 40-year period\nof the Israelites\u2019 wandering through the wilderness. It was a time, as the\npsalmist indicates, of \u201cdisease, terror and disaster.\u201d If ever the people of\nGod needed a refuge, it was during the wandering years. It is a psalm of\ncomfort and confidence in the Almighty who provides protection and security\neven in the most uncertain and fearful times of life. The promise remains, \u201cFor\nthose who live in the shelter of the Most High, will find rest in the shadow of\nthe Almighty\u201d (Psalm 91:1). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nIf you identify with any of the challenges or frustrations I shared, I encourage you to read Psalm 91 aloud with your family. Discuss God\u2019s promises and declare that he is your refuge! Pray and have an honest (and age appropriate) discussion about your family\u2019s worries, anxieties and fears. As you adjust to this season of sheltering in place at home, here are a few additional tips that may assist you in not just surviving these times, but thriving in them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Spend a little extra time in your devotions. Whenever sports teams are disrupted and have setbacks, the head coach usually returns to the basics\u2026the fundamentals that built the team in the first place. This is not a time to go \u201cAWOL\u201d on spiritual disciplines\u2014press into the things of God. What is he teaching you? How is this season stretching your faith? If you are looking for a good daily devotion, check out Shelter in Place with Joni<\/em> on the YouVersion Bible App https:\/\/www.bible.com\/<\/a> or log onto Joni and Friends to access our online bible study www.joniandfriends.org\/bible-reading-plans<\/a>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n- Create a new routine and try to stick to it. There will need to be some flexibility relative to everyone\u2019s needs, but a routine will help you and your family feel a sense of \u201cnormalcy,\u201d decrease frustration and help with expectations. For special needs children, routine often helps decrease behaviors because they begin to get a sense of what is coming next.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n- Celebrate the little accomplishments. Set small goals and simple action steps to get them done. All of us have had to put activities, events and trips on hold for this season. Completing small goals, as simple as they may seem, can give you a sense of victory and progress in your day, week and month. Reward yourself, your spouse or your children for their accomplishments. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Reach out and connect to your church, Sunday school class or community group. Connecting virtually to others accomplishes a couple things. First, it helps prevent you from isolating and becoming emotionally discouraged. Sharing your experience with others can facilitate a sense of release and refreshment, reminding you that you\u2019re not alone and that others know and understand what you are going through. Scripture reminds us to pray for one another all around the world that we would stand against the discouraging attacks of the devil who wants to devour us (1 Peter 5:8-9). Secondly, it provides you with an opportunity to minister to others. Taking your eyes off of your own problems and assisting others is often the best recipe for shaking off discouragement and replacing it with joy.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n- Similarly, stay connected to your child\u2019s school and to local social services. Schools are making teachers, staff and therapists available for consultations and providing virtual instruction. This can assist in keeping your child from boredom and can also help with routine. Likewise, reach out to the Social Services Agency in your community to find out what resources are available to your family. Depending on your level of comfort, additional caregiving or respite hours may be available. If you do welcome caregivers or respite staff into your home, be sure they are following CDC recommended COVID-19 protocols. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Finally, live with grace. Lots of grace! Don\u2019t sweat the small stuff. Remember, every family member is living with adjustments, fear and disappointments. Work to accommodate one another\u2019s needs, space and schedule. This storm will pass and on the other side you want to look back with gratitude for the grace you gave, not regret for unchecked emotions. As you receive the grace of God in your time of need, pass that along to those you love most!<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Similarly, stay connected to your child\u2019s school and to local social services. Schools are making teachers, staff and therapists available for consultations and providing virtual instruction. This can assist in keeping your child from boredom and can also help with routine. Likewise, reach out to the Social Services Agency in your community to find out what resources are available to your family. Depending on your level of comfort, additional caregiving or respite hours may be available. If you do welcome caregivers or respite staff into your home, be sure they are following CDC recommended COVID-19 protocols. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Reach out and connect to your church, Sunday school class or community group. Connecting virtually to others accomplishes a couple things. First, it helps prevent you from isolating and becoming emotionally discouraged. Sharing your experience with others can facilitate a sense of release and refreshment, reminding you that you\u2019re not alone and that others know and understand what you are going through. Scripture reminds us to pray for one another all around the world that we would stand against the discouraging attacks of the devil who wants to devour us (1 Peter 5:8-9). Secondly, it provides you with an opportunity to minister to others. Taking your eyes off of your own problems and assisting others is often the best recipe for shaking off discouragement and replacing it with joy.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Celebrate the little accomplishments. Set small goals and simple action steps to get them done. All of us have had to put activities, events and trips on hold for this season. Completing small goals, as simple as they may seem, can give you a sense of victory and progress in your day, week and month. Reward yourself, your spouse or your children for their accomplishments. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Create a new routine and try to stick to it. There will need to be some flexibility relative to everyone\u2019s needs, but a routine will help you and your family feel a sense of \u201cnormalcy,\u201d decrease frustration and help with expectations. For special needs children, routine often helps decrease behaviors because they begin to get a sense of what is coming next.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n