The Stay Home order for KCMO went into effect just four days ago and there has been much discussion about what is essential or non-essential. Who can go to work and who needs to stay home? What stores are open and which are closed. Where do you go for the specific answers to your questions? Well, no one really wants to be specific because no one wants to sound like they are “making anyone do something”.

It’s like we are back in kindergarten and we are all on the “honor system” did you only take one cookie from the cookie jar? As a kid, my brother and I surely kept each other in check, if one of us tried to do something or take more than we had been told was allowed, we’d tell on each other right away. Today though, the honor system is to determine whether our job is deemed necessary for the health and well-being of ourselves and others.

This line is a difficult one to draw. Why? Because each of us believe the work we do is necessary and has value. Now this order is NOT saying one career path is better than another, rather, there are some roles during the COVID-19 dilemma which ARE more important than others.

Of course there are several people who have secured themselves home offices and are navigating how to work from home with family near. It becomes a juggling act of how to manage your “work” obligations with your “family” commitments; depending on your specific demographic, some people are really struggling keeping themselves from losing their minds!

I know in my immediate family we have several different scenarios happening. I have my parents both working from home, my husband working primarily from home and still managing employees who continue to do their jobs on site, with additional restrictions, so he does leave to “go to work” occasionally. My brother and his wife and trying to work out what it looks like for one to work outside of the home and the other to be at home with their 6 & 8 yr old boys, entertaining them AND putting in a full days work.

Then I look at my girls. One works in the service industry and has been laid off from both of her jobs because one business closed down during the pandemic completely and one is relying on the management team to cover the carry-out, curb-side business. Another is a Nurse in the Emergency Department and is working her “normal” shifts as well as picking up extra to take the temperature of each employee as they report for their shift to ensure those who are caring for the patients are in good health. And my oldest daughter, took a traveling job this past October and has been in Atlanta until the middle of February when she was assigned to a project in San Antonio. Thankfully she continues to be able to work on this new project, as she is the only employee on-site, however she calls a hotel her home.

Me? I haven’t worked since March 16th, at a temporary position with my husbands company. And if I am completely transparent, I haven’t worked full-time since January 1st and have been applying for jobs, completing applications, and doing a couple of phone interviews…until many of my prospects have “paused” the hiring process. Essential vs. Non-essential. This wasn’t even and option for me.

However, I DO have an ESSENTIAL job, as a parent. When my husband and I decided to have kids, we did it with the intention of doing the best we could to raise them to be good and honest, faith-filled people, (Colossians 3:18-24). Today, they all live out on their own but we DO NOT stop being their parents. We are still the people they want to hear the voice of when they have a tough day and the people they call or text for advice. It is our cooking and our hugs they miss during this time when we are apart.

No matter what your situation looks like right now; whether your job has been dubbed by you or someone else to be essential or non-essential. I pray you remember this, your MOST ESSENTIAL job is that as a member of your family. This crisis has some sharp edges but it is important to not let them be your focus. Don’t let others define you; YOU ARE ESSENTIAL.

Words of Encouragement from Scripture

1Thessalonians 3:6-13/A Letter from Saint Paul to the Thessalonians (TO ALL OF US TODAY)

“But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought us the good news of your faith and love. He has told us also that you always remember us kindly and long to see us - just as we long to see you. For this reason Brothers and Sisters, during all our distress and persecution we have been encouraged by you through your faith. For we now live, if you continue to stand firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he also strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.”