Over the last few weeks, I bet I’ve said it a thousand times — “These are weird days.” And, they are. Absolutely everything looks different. From the workplace to the schoolroom, from the grocery store aisles to dinnertime, from travel plans to haircuts, from running errands to handshakes, from celebrations to church services, there is practically no part of our lives untouched by this virus. As I write that and actually slow down long enough to consider if there is anything “normal” anymore, it brings tears to my eyes. And, I think it’s perfectly okay to grieve what was or what was supposed to have been.

Yet, at the same time, I don’t want to miss the incredibly good things that we have experienced in the shift from normal to now. You see, in the midst of the difficult conversations, the uncomfortable, and the unknowns, there have also been moments of profound beauty, care, and certainty that I can’t afford to overlook.

Here are 5 Things that have Made for a Better “Now.”

People are thinking more of others.

Throughout the last month, I’ve seen people display stuffed bears, blow up bears, and even a person in a bear costume, just so our community’s little ones can drive around and shout, “Teddy bear!” a zillion times and have their spirits lifted. There have been people delivering anonymous gifts to front porches everywhere hoping to brighten someone’s day. People who know others who are at-risk have brought groceries and run errands for those who can’t get out easily. Cards have been sent. Sidewalks have been chalked. Calls have been made. People have been thanked. Donations have been given. There have even been instances of people sharing toilet paper. In these weird days, when it is easy to be selfish and greedy, I have seen people choose to think more of others. It has made for a better “now.”

We’ve been able to slow down.

I would not trade these weird days for anything, now. We’ve slowed way down, which means extra time for our marriage, our girls, and our home. If I have to be “stuck” with people, these are my people. There has been time for silliness and laughter, math and hard work, baking and memory-making. We’ve rediscovered a love for sidewalk chalk, baseball in the backyard, riding bikes, puzzles, games, and family read-alouds. Mornings have been slower, meals have been together, bedtimes have been flexible. Out of all the things in life that we waste time on, spending time with my family has never been something I regret. Being taught that time is fleeting has made for a better “now.”

We’ve learned to be grateful.

A dinner with friends, a quick trip to the store for hand soap, kid league softball, checking the mail — we had no idea things could change so quickly. There have been new convictions for overlooking the hugeness of the gathering of our church family, and new challenges in finding different avenues to teach. From seemingly small things to things we knew were big, but maybe didn’t realize their magnitude, we are learning to truly count our blessings. Throughout the last few weeks, I’ve heard my girls bless God’s name when we receive eggs from our chickens, a letter from a friend, or a kind gesture from a neighbor. Each morning, I find myself thanking God for the breath in my lungs and asking for His help in using my days wisely for His glory. Just now, as I hear the girls laughing as they play mini tennis in the yard, I’m grateful, and it makes for a better “now.”

We’ve had to contemplate our hope.

This has been unexpected. It has dawned on me that, when things are good, busy, and “normal,” we don’t think much about hope. We take things for granted, absentmindedly assuming things will always be this way. But, when we are pressed, forced to slow down, pushed into uncomfortable territory, we look for, really we long for something better. These weird days have forced us to consider whether things were really that good before, whether we like the way they are now, and whether we have any hope of things being better in the future.

This is the part I love. As believers in Jesus Christ, it is dangerous when we grow complacent and forget about longing for something better. We tend to be distracted, to find contentment in the world, to fall silent. Oh, but we were never made for that, and we certainly weren’t redeemed for that! If nothing else good were to come from the switch from normal to now, at least let this be true: Let us refocus. Let us remember that this world is not our home. Let us get loud. Let us hope. Because, the truth is, there is something so much better. Being reminded of that has made for a better “now.”

We have seen Jesus.

It may seem cliche, but in these weird days, we have seen Jesus. In so many ways. Just think of the four things above.

Showing kindness to others — It was Jesus who said to love our neighbors more than ourselves (Mark 12:31). He even said to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44)!

Quality time with our families — The family is God’s plan. As we’ve prayed for Jesus-centered homes, isn’t this what they would look like? Laughing, learning, trusting — all surrounded by the peace that comes from a home walking with Christ. Kids get to watch their mom and dad be alright, because they are trusting Christ.

Being thankful — Did you ever notice that Jesus gives thanks to God the Father? As He’s feeding the 5,000, when He’s about to call Lazarus out of the tomb, during the Passover meal, Jesus tells God, “Thank You.” In Ephesians 5, we are told to be imitators of God, walking as Christ walked. Then, in verse 20, we are told to always give thanks. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, we are told to “Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” It’s all through Scripture, in example and in command — we are more like Jesus when we are grateful people.

Considering our Hope — my favorite piece — as the false hopes of the world quickly become exposed, Jesus, our Hope, becomes paramount! When the government, the bank account, and any worldly successes are all found wanting in the grand scheme of things, Jesus, our Anchor, shines through.

Praise God for the shift from normal to now, because lifted from the oppressive, overwhelming, deafening pace of a harried life, we now see Jesus more clearly.