Guest blog by Nancy Duffer
“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1
Last week brought many many emotions: anger, bitterness, fear, and jealousy, to name just a few. The week started with a sense of normalcy returning as things at work seemed to slow down, and people didn't seem as anxious. Then, in a blink of an eye, with a new report and new state rules, fear squeezed in.
As I fumbled into Facebook to escape the world, jealousy pulled at my heart. Pictures of parents with their kids, projects being completed, and baking treats filled the pages. All these things are things I love to do. My life during this virus, however, has not slowed down.
Then, I failed to remember my husband's birthday, and corporate bosses began to visits stores in our district, and anger set in. I was mad at the place I was in. I was bitter at my company and myself. While others are being paid to stay at home, I was at work.
I will be honest. It has been a hard week of emotions, but God thankfully doesn't leave us to ourselves.
As the week progressed, I enjoyed watching our baby goats grow. I saw new life blooming all around me—lillies, hostas and irises that dear friends shared with me and rose bushes beginning to grow. A new season is beginning.
God used all those things, along with His scripture (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8), to remind that everything has a season.
With recent events, many of us have found ourselves in a different season of life.
Some of you are uncharacteristically home with kids and husbands all day.
Some of your are alone, separated from family that you are are used to being able to see.
Pastors are trying to figure out how shepherd their flocks without physical contact.
Meanwhile, I find myself at the forefront of this pandemic, not as a nurse or doctor, but as a retail worker. I put toilet paper and food on the shelves.
Through a trying week, God reminded me that even while my job has not changed, the what and why I am there has.
For more than ten years, my job has been used to provide for my family. That has been the sole reason that I went to work. So, when this all started my husband (who also works in retail) and I sat down one night and conversed over the risk that we were taking. We decided that we were right where God wanted us to be. We knew that God could use us, if we would let him.
You see, God was changing my season.
This past week, I almost lost sight of that because of the circumstances around me.
So, whether you are tending to your kids, husband or parent, calling or writing to check on others or simply just praying for our nurses, doctors, and leaders, my prayer is that you and for me is to find peace and gratitude for where God has you. Open your heart to be used by Him because this season presents limitless opportunities, just as the last one did and the next one will.
Nancy with Novah Jean at the 2019 Christmas parade.
Nancy Duffer is the wife of Mike Duffer, mother of Deshea, Dylan, and Dustin Duffer, mother-in-law to Tracey Duffer, and grandmother to Novah Jean. When she isn’t working in retail, you can most likely find her taking care of someone or something. Whether she’s caring for family or for farm animals, Nancy’s love for the Lord is evident in the way she loves others. She is the youngest of The Girls and the recreation specialist.