We were given a rather large bag of cornflakes yesterday, which Micah was very excited to drag to the breakfast table this morning. And then insisted it had to sit on the table, dominating the standard size boxes of cereal somewhat, but creating a handy barrier for the children who can’t manage a breakfast time without someone ‘looking at me meanly!’

Theo had made concrete plans to use the cornflakes for Gruffalo ‘knobbly knees’ cornflake cakes, so was very anxious that we might use them all up and not leave any for the cakes. We reassured him that even we don’t eat quite that much in one breakfast sitting.

Another day, another self-chosen outfit for Miss Maddie. I’m pleased to report the wardrobe alterations have made a significant difference to the clothes-choosing stress in the morning. As long as I remain true to my word that she can wear anything that is in there. It’s always exciting to see what she’ll come down in.

As the rain was due in the afternoon we decided to let the kids play outside this morning and do a bit of school work after lunch. Liam had some jobs to do outside so I intended to get on with more cleaning. However I ended up having a difficult conversation with one of the children, which was hard, exhausting, and tearful for both of us.

Once we worked through that, I went back to the cleaning. By now it was already heading for lunchtime, so I was busily scrubbing bathrooms and hoovering corners, at which point a small child from downstairs clearly started to get hungry. And decided to start yelling at me.

‘MUM!’

‘Yes?’

‘I NEED TELLY!’

‘It’s nearly lunchtime, I’m just finishing this and I’ll get lunch.’

Angry child: ‘MUMMMM! I NEED SNACKS!’

‘Just hold on, it’s almost lunch.’

‘MMMUUUUUUMMMMM!!! I NEEED TELLLYYYY!!!’

I got downstairs, but needed a wee quickly before getting lunch. Of course, no toilet roll. Despite the fact we’ve always managed to find toilet roll in the shops through the pandemic, finding it in our own house has proven tricky on many occasions. Where it all goes is a mystery. No one ever seems to have used it up, and everyone is confident that they always replace it. Just another family life conundrum I suppose. Along with the disappearing scissors and the serial drink spillers.

Things improved a bit after lunch. Chicken therapy is proving popular for calming frazzled nerves and soothing troubled souls.

Theo was insistent that Daddy make the cornflake cakes with him, so I left them to it and got to be Toby’s maths helper for a while. Judging by the noises from the kitchen, I’m not sure Liam enjoyed the baking experience as much as the boys did. I can’t say I loved the maths either. Maybe we should stick to our usual roles.

I had to collect something from a house nearby this afternoon so took a lively Theo for a walk with me. It was starting to rain a little, so we took his umbrella which he was thrilled about. Theo loves a bit of rain.

It turned out to be more than just a bit of rain, however. It started to get heavier as we walked back, so we came along the river to hide under the trees. By the time we came up the path by the house it was like wading through a lake, the downpour was torrential, and we were soaking and laughing hysterically.

It turned out other family members were also dancing in the rain and coming back in at the moment we arrived, and poor Maddie had just been stung by a wasp. Imagine if you will the chaos of drenched clothes, giggles from some, tears from others, and me applying sting ointment and loving cuddles with steamed up glasses and dripping wet hair.

And yet that chaotic five minutes lightened the mood in the house immensely. The wet people changed into pyjamas, Maddie had cuddles, treats and telly, and we made a cup of tea and decided to get chips for dinner.

The pros and cons of lockdown seem to often be the same thing. I’m loving spending time with our family, getting to know one another better, talking more, and just being together. But at the same time the intensity of that can become the thing that is exhausting. Facing all the discussions head on, dealing with the issues that are arising because we’re seeing them, being both the apparent cause and cure of their frustrations. And having no place to hide from the challenges.

I can see a lot of benefits in that for our family. But there can be days and weeks like this one, where it seems like all the issues and needs are continually coming at us from all directions and we’re juggling emails to schools and social workers, medical needs, therapeutic input, relational challenges, and accident prone pre-schoolers. And it can get a bit overwhelming.

It turns out what helps on those days is crying to God for help, sending some honest messages asking for prayer or advice, and embracing a rainstorm head on.

The freedom of embracing the rain reminded me of the verses in Ezekiel, where he is prophesying to those exiled from Judah, giving a message of hope and a promise of God’s unwavering love and plan of restoration for His people. In amongst some beautiful chapters of reassurance, he says,

‘And I will make them and the places all around my hill a blessing, and I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing.

And the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield its increase, and they shall be secure in their land. And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I break the bars of their yoke, and deliver them from the hand of those who enslaved them.

They shall no more be a prey to the nations, nor shall the beasts of the land devour them. They shall dwell securely, and none shall make them afraid. – Ezekiel 34:26-28

Those verses gave hope to an exiled people, and they promise hope of a heaven to come. But they also give me hope when it feels like we’re the exiled people, apart from those we love, held captive by a viral pandemic preying on our world and stressing out our homes. He is the God who sends showers of blessing, who brings safety and security and freedom, whether here on earth or with Him eternally. He promises and provides refreshment, nourishment, sustaining grace, and showers of blessing, for each and every day.