I’ve been a little quiet over on my social media and the Hometown Creative blog for numerous reasons in relation to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

The greatest being that there are hundred of thousands of opinions being shared online and in the news about how we should be spending this time, ie. start a new home improvement project, join a MLM to diversify your income, don’t stop spending to ensure the economy survives this, and on and on and on.For me, work has continued like usual. Since I work from home anyway, I’ve moved forward on projects, changed in person meetings to Zoom calls, and worked to keep up with personally imposed deadlines since my at-home distractions have increase a bit (thanks fam).However, in the midst of my usual daily grind, I’ve found a since of gratitude in that even as we mourn and pray for our world and nation, we will never get this time for restoration again. We will never get relaxed conversations around the fire, lunches together on the back porch, evening walks around the neighborhood, easy boat rides, time with our parents and siblings as adults, and all of this without looming deadlines, a need to work around everyone’s existing plans and schedules, the pull to be somewhere else working on something more pressing.My sister and I have had numerous conversations asking, “Why would God allow this?” “Why would he want people to die and want our country to panic and want us to worry?” I don’t know the answer to these things nor will I ever until eternity. There have been times that I have worried for my grandparents and felt anxiety about the future. I know many of us are feeling lost and confused, some overwhelmed with fear and others sad and depressed for what is happening in our world.

But, hear this.

God not only comprehends the coronavirus; he has purposes for it. God does nothing, and permits nothing, without wise purposes. Nothing just happens. Everything flows from the eternal counsels of God (Ephesians 1:11). All of it is wisdom. All of it is purposeful. For those who trust Jesus Christ, all of it is kindness. For others, it is a merciful wake-up call: “Let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price” (Revelation 22:17).

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.”

For the month of April, all of my plans are canceled. All of the things I was excited about, the things I was dreading, they’ve all vanished. I won’t wish away these weeks or complain about being stuck in the idle mode. Instead, I will seek purpose.I’m not here to tell you what I think you should be doing.

I’ve preached to myself for years that my worthiness is not measured by my productivity and I refuse to make you feel otherwise.

Therefore, be productive if that’s what you need. Rest and relax if that’s what you need. Seek ways to serve and share and support if that’s what you need. I will prayerful face these weeks with you, knowing that the Lord’s purpose will prevail in this chaos. His purpose will prevail for our nation. His purpose will prevail for His people.

In these coming weeks, be gracious.

Be gracious to yourself. Be gracious in your work and in your expectations for others. Be gracious to your neighbors and friends. Be gracious to moms learning to homeschool. Be gracious to teachers rethinking their entire processes. Be gracious to those who are more vulnerable, to the elderly, expecting or new mothers.

I have friends who will spend this time cuddled up on the couch reading and recouping. Other friends will spend these weeks finding every possible way to take care of everyone around them. I have friends who will and are especially struggling through this as they naturally empathize and bear other’s burdens.

Regardless of where you fall and what you need during this time, I am confident that He who began a good work in us WILL be faithful to complete it. John Piper says, “Scarcely a page in the Bible is irrelevant for this kind of crisis.” For those who know His name and put their trust in Him, He will not forsake them.

I’m sharing a list of things that might be helpful for you during these coming weeks -whether you’re looking for opportunities for productivity, rest or a sense stability and security.

For those needing recovery, and hope:

• Incredible daily devotion full of encouragement and truth: New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp
• Great read to put our struggles in perspective and remind us that God is the same today, yesterday and forever: The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
• Insightful and educated blogs to keep your informed and assured by one of our amazing clients: The Post by Dr. Pamela Pyle
• Intention conversations and important reminders about life and faith: Behind the Bliss Podcast
• Light-hearted activity to bring the family together and break bread: Sourdough Starter Kit by Hannah Homemade
• Beautiful digital hand-drawn and branded portraits of you or your pups by my friend Becca and Rebecca Grace Designs.

For the more productive-driven social distancers:

• Brand your business or side hustle with a custom website through Total Branding Package (including 40% off logo design promo).
• Easy and cheap home improvement projects on our Social Distancing Projects Pinterest Board.
• Amazing at-home workouts with my personal favorite Youtuber Blogilates.
• Participate in the #BBSmoothieChallenge with Hush Up and Hustle on Instagram by having a blender bomb smoothie at least 24 days this month for a $20 gift card – there’s still time to join (use code Gracin10 for 10% off your blender bomb order)!

For those looking for ways to help and serve:

• Write cards for those in assisted living facilities that are on lock-down.
• Offer to pick-up groceries or pay to have groceries delivered through Shipt or Whole Foods Delivery to elderly neighbors or expecting / new mothers.
• Make care packages for healthcare workers and hospital break rooms.
• Make your own hand sanitizer (our clients shared an awesome recipe on their Instagram here) and deliver to neighbors and friends mailboxes.
• Pray for our communities and nation. Pray for our President and politicians having to make hard decisions for our country. Fast one day a week to devote yourself to prayer and sacrifice.

Additional helpful links and reminders:

Hometown Creative’s Guide to Communicating Well with your Clients in Crisis

Stay tuned for an upcoming blog about current digital marketing trends early next week!