As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness,
humility, meekness, and patience... 
Above all, clothe yourselves with love,
which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

– from Colossians 3:12-17

It’s our anniversary this week and, twelve years later, we are no longer wearing our wedding best… but our quarantine sweats.

As I think back to our wedding day and this text from Colossians which was read, I certainly wasn’t imagining a future global pandemic and the impact it would have on our lives and marriage. But here we are. I’ve been furloughed, my husband is working from home and I’m now homeschooling our two children. To say it’s been a challenge having us all quarantine together for over a month now is an understatement. Patience is being tested, nerves are high and we fear the unknown.

There’s an old saying: You are what you wear. Life has thrown some big challenges at us, but I’m thankful for God’s message that if we dress right, we will be able to face all the joy and sorrow that life brings. We may not be able to control the world around us, but we can control the way we live and the way we dress. We can make sure we have put on both kindness and consideration, that we are wearing forgiveness and love.

I may still be wearing my quarantine sweats, but I am also wearing the very best — the gifts of Christ.

Prayer

Dear Lord, During this difficult time, please help me to purposefully dress in the gifts you have given us. Help me to be slow to anger, full of forgiveness and abounding in love as you first loved and forgave us. Amen