I have been seeing lots of stories and jokes on how this time of “house confinement” is a great time for getting jobs finished. Jobs we have been putting off because we “think” we don’t have time.

Now many of us have time.

Time to do those things we have been putting off.

No good excuse for uitstelgedrag (Dutch or Flemish for procrastination). 🙂

Because I enjoy having fun with new and foreign words, I decided to ask our Belgian friend Hans about the word for procrastination in his country.

I actually found uitstelgedrag on the internet and asked him what it meant. He said it meant: if you have something to do and postpone it or put off getting something done.

Don’t waste this amazing interlude in life.

Take time to smell the flowers.

One of the things I have enjoyed during this time of house confinement is watching the news and seeing the really neat things people are doing to help or encourage each other – ideas for homeschooling children and projects that families are finishing together.

Make a difference in your environment today.

Don’t put off what God is calling you to do.

Today a friend called – she was calling every person in the “Old Gang” – a group of friends since our teenage days. Today we are in our late 70s and early 80s. She was just checking that everyone is okay. I was blessed.

Do what you can to encourage others.

Get some jobs done that you have been putting off.

Make some freezer meals for when your normal life resumes.

Clean out a cupboard or drawer

Check on a friend.

I am finding this to be a fabulous time to relax, but I also try to do something “worthwhile” each day.

Your life might be quite different because your children are home from school and life is busier than normal.

Be creative.

Use the time to read to them more than usual.

Teach them things you have been wanting to do but kept putting off.

Bloom where you are planted. These crocuses were tossed out on the trash heap in our woodlot.

They aren’t in front of the house where everyone can see them.

A few encouraging verses from the Bible during these uncertain and concerning days.

Pray, and keep praying. Be alert and thankful when you pray. Colossians 4:2 The Voice

So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 The Message

Do not worry about tomorrow. Let tomorrow worry about itself. Living faithfully is a large enough task for today. Matthew 6:34 Voice

Don’t dwell on the things you can’t do and the places you can’t go.

Do not uitstelgedrag.

This is a time like no other in the history of the world.

Don’t waste it.

This is [STILL] the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad today! Psalm 118:24 International Children’s Bible