Lakeland Christian School > Blog > Viking Views > Live And Be Productive!

Live And Be Productive!

My parents, who are 78 and 80, decided to trade in their 2 wheeled bikes for an “adult tricycle.” Balance is more of an issue than it used to be. My dad will tell you he “bought it for mom.” Hilariously though, he rides it more than her! They passed down the two wheelers to my husband and I. I forgot how much I enjoyed riding a bike. I haven’t even ridden since my kids were young.

rear view of a young woman riding a bike on an old road with green grass and trees surrounding the road. She has long brunette hair blowing in the wind and is wearing a black leather jacket with a white and red stripped shirt, jeans and black shoes

It’s funny how we forget the things we enjoy because we have filled our time with what we deem necessary. One thing I’ve found is good about Covid 19, it has removed some things that have caused us to be too busy. I must admit though, when I received the email that we would not be returning to school, a sadness grabbed me that I wasn’t expecting.

My pastor, Brett Rickey, helped me as he preached on Jeremiah 29. Some Israelites were taken captive to Babylon far away from their home and families. They were grieving. Their lives were in complete upheaval. Some of their prophets were saying it would be over soon. Jeremiah speaking for the Lord was saying it would be 70 years! That would have been a bit worse to hear than “we aren’t returning to school this year.” Jeremiah went on to say “Thus saith the LORD”, I love those words:

“Build houses and live in them, plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage that they may bare sons and daughters and multiply there and do not decrease.”

Jeremiah 29:5

In other words, live and be productive!

So, during this time of upheaval, take some time and do something you enjoy; that you have put to the side. Bike, dust off the piano, take out the brushes and paint, learn something new, send a hand written letter by “snail-mail” to encourage someone, or maybe write a blog! Be productive. Increase and do not decrease. It was during this time in the lives of the Israelites that God said:

”For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11

Wait, I thought this was just a commencement verse. I will never look at this verse the same again.

Blonde young woman walking through a field of tall green grass with her hands out feeling the grass and feeling the wind blow her hair