Anyone else still experiencing quarantine brain? Still moving in slow motion? Maybe it’s different all over the world. You are told you can resurface, reenter, merge into civilization, kind of. The ‘new normal’ talk is bumming me out. I don’t know about you, but did all your good habits remain? 

I mean I was on a great track when it came to Heath and Fitness. We had a great meal plan and gym/run routine going until I got sick before my trip to Florida. I flew home, mocking a few people wearing masks in the airport, only to have Zoe off school the next Thursday to finding out her return was indefinite and we had to purchase a mask ourselves! What?? I still go back to when and where and how this Covid virus took over our lives and the world and feel like I was in the Twilight Zone. 

But now with having bans lifted a week at a time, how are you coping?   

What is your lifeline? Or should I say who? Who do you go to when a crisis hits? Who brings comfort? Who do you rely on? Has that listening ear? 

Ever since I was a little girl the answer to these questions is God. I didn’t really go through a ‘questioning of my faith’ phase. I’ve most definitely gone through a ‘I’m forgetting you because life of good’ phase a few times, but more times than not, I’ve clung to my relationship with Jesus. 

I’ve written before about reading the book ‘Atomic Habits’. Well I read books like these pretty slowly. I take notes. I talk about it. Then I maybe begin two other books before getting back into it. Sound familiar?  With some books on my phone, on my office shelves and in my audible app I’ve got a cornucopia of amazing titles to keep my brain working. A habit I’ve been developing my whole life is starting my day reading Gods word. I change it up and sometimes follow a devotion on the You Version App. Today’s was about prayer but compared it to a very relatable subject; food. 

‘The right food fuels your body and produces better results. When repeated over time, this has a compounding effect. This effect makes the results easier to see. When we get results, we begin to hunger for whatever fuels the results.’ 

(Creatures of habit: prayer devotion) 

I’m currently in a 7 day cleanse. Since quarantine I’ve had a roller coaster of emotions as did the whole world. Many people have shared with me about the increase of baking – developing a new skill, carry out – to support local businesses, and my personal favorite, wine consumption. (hey, did anyone keep their quarantine corks?). In such a short time I lost my muscle and gained the weight back from my amazing 60 day plans I was so diligently followed pre- quarantine. My daily habits went out the window when my routine was forced into hibernation.  I’m sure you all could share a similar scenario but we could all have different triggers. For me the lack of interest in home workouts was it. Mixed in with the undesirable Michigan weather (I love my state but the never ending winter with zero personal interaction with family and friends was the tipping point for me).

Whew! Have you sighed relief yet? Do it slowly. Let go of tension and now that we have great summer weather approaching breathe in some fresh air. I did that and then began my cleanse. It’s not crazy. Smoothies, salad and adding some salmon and chicken. But that’s it. It’s been great. And going back to my habit quote, this good cleansing feeling is what fuels me to stick to healthy food. Just in time to approach my big 5-0 in four days. 

I love birthdays. I truly do. Blaire’s birthday kicks off birthday week in the Clode household on the 15th. Then mine and four days later Jacobs’. I digress here but this week looks a little different.  Blaire is still in Texas so we will not be together on her birthday for the first time in 22 years. Gulp. And Jacob celebrates his 25th on Father’s Day while he is anticipating to become one in three short months. What. is. happening? Another twilight zone?

No. I just lived one glorious day after another and here I am  turning 50! Habits in check. Growing more in love with Jesus and writing a blog for over 9 years. So prayer is what this whole blog is about (I’ve contemplated rewriting this but stay with me) 

‘The best way to increase your hunger for prayer, is simply to pray more’ – (creatures of habit devotion.) 

There are so many examples of Jesus praying to His Father before a big event. Before walking on water. Before performing miracles.  Before His death on the Cross. You don’t have to be a bible scholar to have heard of these amazing events.  I prayed before this pandemic. I prayed a lot during the pandemic and as we see a shift and dare I say, the end of the pandemic, I’m beginning each day, each conversation, each interaction with a prayer. I heard a quote this week from a priest that has since passed and after researching all the religions of the world he summed it all up by saying ‘we are in good hands’. 

My prayer is that you feel His presence. You seek His presence. You know His presence. Pray for peace and begin your good habits today.