When I was a kid, losing privileges was the most dreaded consequence for wrongdoing. This country girl didn't get out in the big world very often, so if I happened to misbehave just before a trip to town was planned, it was a particularly stinging punishment if I had to miss it. As an adult, I still don't get out in the big world much...mostly because there's not a great deal out there to interest me. But now that I'm suddenly not allowed to go out even if I wanted to, I'm realizing just how many privileges I've been taking for granted.
Life goes on pretty much as usual for me, since I work alone in my office and mind my own business at home most of the time anyway. There are so many privileges I can still enjoy, and I'm learning to appreciate them all the more. I'm suddenly very grateful that I have an office to work from and plenty of work to do when many people don't. I'm grateful for time to catch up on things I've been putting off for much too long. I'm grateful for a place to stay home in and an amazing grandma to stay home with. I'm grateful for good food, communication technology, and the postal service. Living a simple, quiet life is truly a tremendous privilege, and I'm glad for the opportunity to be intentional about making the most of it.
Of course, there are privileges I have to do without that I somehow never bothered to notice until there were suspended. Being able to make plans with some degree of certainty is a privilege. So is the ability to visit family and friends. Too often I've failed to make plans to get together with people, for no good reason, and now that I have a reason I can't control, I miss it. And I miss ministry. I knew I enjoyed seeing my students every week at Good News Club, but since that privilege was taken away without warning, I have to admit how much I did take my time with them for granted. It is a gift to be able to look in a child's eyes and tell him how much Jesus loves him, yet the wonder of it has far too often been lost on me. The ability to make a personal impact on others' lives is a remarkable privilege that deserves much more appreciation.
What if this sudden halt to the busyness of normal life is really what we needed more than anything? Maybe it's time to take stock of our privileges and gratefully acknowledge the many wonderful gifts we have, crisis or no crisis. If a temporary restriction of our freedom inspires us to consciously make better use of it now and for the future, it will be time very well spent!