Finding Myself At Home

20 // May 2020

by Amy Scott

Amy Scott is the Executive Director of Bethany Christian Services of Greater Chattanooga. She is an adoptee who passionately serves the adoption community for over ten years. Amy resides in North Georgia with her husband and three daughters. About The Author T oday I am on day 25 of sheltering at home – For more than three weeks, I have held several roles that many of you can relate to—lunch lady (and breakfast lady and dinner lady for that matter), teacher, principal, cleaning lady, activity director, lysol lady, chief comforter, gardener, household toilet paper hoarder, fear dispeller, and chief grocery getter just to name a few. I’ve always done all of these things in some capacity, but the intensity of the last few weeks has been unparalleled. This is in addition to my full-time job of running a non-profit organization from home. Truth be known, I’ve always felt more accomplished outside the home. Accolades come easy at the office, and I consider myself mediocre at best as a homemaker, cook, housekeeper, mom, wife, friend. I’ve always struggled with measuring up, but this season of sheltering at home has led me to lean more closely into the Lord who teaches me that I am enough. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 states, “Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distress, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”

To say that all of the moments of the last 25 days have been rosy would be a lie – there are moments we’ve all been impatient and short tempered. We’ve leaned into each other, apologized, and moved forward. There have been tears shed on numerous occasions. We are all grieving the life that was put on pause. Those hard moments have been outweighed by truly good moments – simple moments I pray that my kids remember for years to come like sitting around the table enjoying a prolonged meal, playing board games, practicing new languages on fun apps, walks around the neighborhood, cooking together, noticing the unfolding of nature, and worshipping together from our couch to name a few. We’ve been intentional about connecting with the outside world virtually, and have treasured moments to see our friends on screen and call people who we would probably not typically reach out to.

I would not wish illness upon anyone, but since we are in this unprecedented season, I am thankful for the opportunity to reset reality – I never want to forget the mom I met within me during this time. She is brave, confident, creative, caring, outgoing, and accomplished – because she more fully leans into the Lord. Philippians 1:6 states, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” As I find myself imagining what the new normal will be like once this season has ended, I am filled with hope that reflected in that new normal is a slower and simpler pace, one where our family values each other more deeply, our faith is strong and we pursue true connection with those around us. I also pray that we don’t forget those who have not had such a positive time sheltering at home – and may proactively need our support and love once this season ends, and we answer the call to be there for them.

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