Are you the kind of person who, as your walk or ride by a house and see an open window, accidentally peeks in? Don’t pretend, you know we all do it. If you see someone walking around inside or it’s clear enough to see some of their furniture, you are interested in how that house is decorated or are intrigued by what’s going on behind closed doors. I did it yesterday actually (sorry neighbor). Paul and I took the two littles on a bike ride. It was the perfect time of day where the light was low and there was very little shadow. Meaning, if your window is open, I can see directly in! There is this super modern house in the back of our neighborhood and I glanced in as we rode by. I could see the back of their house was entirely windows. It was beautiful. I promise it didn’t get weird. There was no slowing down or hiding in bushes… I just peeked.
While we are all quarantined, there are a lot of things going on behind closed doors. I have moments where the walls feel as if they are moving in closer, voices seem extraordinarily LOUDER, and emotions and stress are rising higher. The mortgage, the business, the bank account… you are not alone. Life looks very different for all of us. And it sounds different too. However, I am trying to remind myself that a lot of beautiful things are happening right now too. We have more time with our family than we ever have, and probably ever will. If you are living alone, you have more time with your thoughts, your dreams, and especially God.
I have this other neighbor. While I have never peeked in their windows, I do get the opportunity to hear a lot of their lives. We can’t see our houses from one another, but the corners of our yards back up to each other. I can hear giggling, playing, squealing… and joy. The mother of two little boys plays and plays and plays. I hear her playing football and basketball and cheering for them. Dad plays too. He coaches and encourages and engages. They lived this way before quarantine, now during, and I have no doubt they will after.
Jen inspires me. Because of her, and the experience that I am about to show you, I am challenged to just play. I am challenged to hear my little one’s voices for the sweet sounds they really are. I want to hear and see truth. The truth that joy is not dependent on my circumstances. I hope this might remind all of us how brief and beautiful these moments are. We have been given the space and the time to tune our ears, our thoughts, and our hearts.
May your family become stronger. May you feel capable… and may you feel joy. Turn your volume on… as HIGH as it will go. And if I happen to drive by your house tonight and your window is open, I pray I see joy.