When forced indoors

WITH all this talk about lockdown, quarantine and

voluntary self-isolation for about a month or so due to this Corona

virus, we need to learn how to make good use of our time when we are

forced to be indoors.

            We have to welcome this rare opportunity. It at least

offers us a chance to rehearse when due to some emergency situation we

are made to stay put in a place longer than usual.

            We can never tell what the future holds for us. So far, we

already had a volcano eruption, some earthquakes, and we are still in

the first quarter of the year. We can expect typhoons sooner or later.

And there might still be more. Who knows? It’s always good to be

prepared for any eventuality.

            At the very least, what we can do is to grow in the inside

when on the outside we cannot do much and our movements are

restricted, or when we are practically confined and yet we are still

in normal condition physically, mentally and even emotionally.

  

            Most important of all would be that we be spiritually fit

and healthy, and still productive in a sense. This aspect of our life

is fundamental and should not be compromised just because of these

forced restrictive measures imposed on us.

            Definitely, we can make use of the time praying and

studying better than usual. These very important human necessities are

usually taken for granted during ordinary days. Now is the time to

make up. Besides, we have a very good and immediate reason to pray and

study more, given the current situation.

            When we are more with God, we can see things better. We

can always make good use of any situation that humanly speaking may be

considered as a disaster. With God, we would know how to adjust and

adapt. With God, everything, including some negative events, will

always work out for the good, as St. Paul once said. (cfr. Rom 8,28)

            It would be a good idea to pick up some spiritual books,

to know more about the life of Christ and those of the saints. It’s

also a good time to live a more intense spirit of sacrifice and

penance, and to practice the different works of mercy, if not directly

then by virtual means through the Internet, by spreading good pieces

of news or just good spirit. We would be doing a great service that

way, given the conditions of people these days.

            We can also attend to certain concerns to which we only

paid a lick and a promise during our normal working days. There may

still be some books to be read, some assignments to be done, some

repairs to be made in the house. The garden may need better attention

and care than what was given it before. There will always be items

that we left behind because we cannot attend to them during normal

days.

            Family life definitely can be given more attention too.

Parents who still have children at home can spend more time with them,

though this would require of them more creative initiatives so that

the children would learn how to take advantage of their forced

vacation. The parents have the grave duty to give good example to

their children. They would also have more time to show affection to

their children.

            Let’s consider these days of confinement like the

gestation period of a living being that needs to be well taken care of

precisely at that most crucial stage for its development, so that when

the time comes for it to be born, it comes out very healthy.

            Let’s have a very positive outlook at this turn of events.

There’s no use lamenting over this somewhat drastic change of

circumstance. That would only be counter-productive, a pure waste of

time.

            Let’s never forget that if we are forced indoors, God must

have allowed it to happen. And if he allows it, there must be a reason

and a greater good that can be derived from it.