Are you ready to go back to the routine you had before the COVID-19 lock-down?
For some there’s no straightforward answer, life is complicated.
I’ve asked myself this question and I am very clear what my answer is. I know for some people there isn’t a straightforward answer, life is complicated.
A phone conversation
This week I spent almost 2 hours on the phone with a friend of mine in her mid-eighties. It was such a delight.
One of the things she told me was,
“Shaunelle, hymns are so comforting to me at a time like this, because they are familiar”. I love hymns.
So for my friend and others who could do with some good ole hymns, I hope you enjoy the playlist I’m sharing today.
For some, hymns will be comforting, for others boring 🙂 and still others this type of music is new.
If you have a favorite hymn, let me know why in the comments below. Over the month of June as countries and borders are opening up and ‘life is unlocking’, I hope to add a few of your favorites!
In any case, I trust you can have some quiet moments with these hymns.
Are you ready for “un-lockdown” though?
I have different friends and colleagues who have gone through various changes. In this COVID crisis, I know people:
- Who had a job, and now no longer has a job after COVID
- Who were loners and didn’t feel like connecting with many people; connecting has a new meaning now
- Whose commute time was hectic and now their employer is more open to a flexible arrangement, opening up new opportunities for new routines
- Whose boundaries and space have meshed in with their children’s space
And some have made changes in food budget and vacation plans, some found new hobbies and skills. Some are meditating and praying more…
Are you one of those?
Or what about any of these:
- You had an okay-ish marriage, you no longer have an okay-ish marriage
- You had a high screen-time, it’s even higher now
- You enjoyed being alone, you enjoy it even more 🙂
- You disliked being alone, you dislike it even more
- You didn’t watch the news much, you’re now aware of what’s happening in different countries, different social, racial and religious groups
- You used to go about as you liked, you’re in the at risk group and now have to depend on others
- You used to hang out with close friends who now have strong social distancing views – it will change how you will relate
- The elderly people in your life have needs that impact you differently
- You worked full time and got paid, you now work overtime and get less pay
- You had clear vacation plans, you’re not sure what vacation time will look like anymore
- Your exercise routine has changed, for better or for worse
So, back to that question. I’m not asking if you’re ready for the lockdown to end.
Are you ready to go back to your pre-COVID routine?
I am not ready, certainly not to the routine I had before. There are some benefits from the 10 weeks of lock-down that I am desperately trying to carry forward or build into my routine more deliberately.
- Moving towards being paperless at home
- Building on the quality time I’ve had with my hubby, giving full attention when he shares with me. In fact I saw sides to him I didn’t fully appreciate before… and I love him even more now!
- and some other personal things
I want my new normal to include exercise, staying in touch with family and friends, doing something about injustice to ‘the weak’, more times of prayer and so much more…
To be really honest, I don’t want to go back to my pre-COVID routine. I want to go forward.
Hymn Playlist
(Last updated February 6, 2021)
What are you moving towards in your new routine, post COVID-19?
And don’t forget to tell me about your favorite hymn. It might just make it to the list 🙂
Hi Shaunelle, thank you for these hymns. My favourite is Praise to the Lord, the Almighty 😊. We may not be able to draw near to His temple in our usual ways but the invitation is still there to draw near to Him in praise and recognise the many ways He is involved in our lives. Blessings 😊
Thanks Shaunelle for sharing your talent with us.
I have a couple of favourite hymns, one is ‘All things praise thee, Lord Most high’
There are a couple of tunes, I like the tune below better
https://hymnary.org/text/all_things_praise_thee_lord_most_high
Another favourite is a Canticle, Te Deum laudamus: We praise thee O God: We acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
Here too, there are many tunes, I like the one below better
https://youtu.be/Gnv7QYSYBVM
I have so many, I’ll be adding later,
Two before ending are:
Immortal, Invisible, God only Wise; and
Yes, God is good – in earth and sky.
Thanks once again
LOL wow Naki that’s quite a big request lol. I don’t know them all and this is definitely stretching me a bit. Its great to be learning some new ones. I’ll look to add those as soon as I learn them.
Blessings
Naki, Immortal Invisible and All things praise thee finally added. I also added Jesus paid it all, a request that came in via email and Breathe on me breath of God. That was so refreshing.
Gooooood day Shaunelle, thanks again for continuing to share your talent with me. I have not started listening to the hymns as yet but I took a look at the list and did not see “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” and would love ‘it to make the list’. God has certainly been our fortress through these trying times. Some things seemed so terrible but He was kept us and prevented them from being worse. We were able to see some of the ‘good’ coming out of the bad”.
One good for me in this COVID time is that I have been spending most of the time with my family. Unfortunately though, I am putting on the weight I had been losing. 🙂 Unlike you though, I do not like working from home. I love the physical face-2-face interactions.
Hi Sharon, thanks for that and yes there has been a lot of good coming out of what has been such a tragic time for many.
Yes I know that hymn so I’ll go ahead and add it in the upcoming days.
A Mighty Fortress added. Thanks for that request, a timely reminder. Blessup Sharon.
Thanks for sharing the beauty of Christ with us in music. I have been soooo blessed by listening and singing these anointed songs. May God continue to empower your fingers and hands as you serve on your piano.I have one request for “Holy Spirit, Living Breath by the Gettys
Thanks Camille. I actually didn’t know this song “Holy Spirit Living Breath” and I’m looking forward to learning it. I like this first verse very much too.
Thanks for sharing, I’ll learn it and do it in the upcoming days.
“Holy Spirit, living breath of God,
Breathe new life into my willing soul.
Let the presence of the risen Lord,
Come renew my heart and make me whole.
Cause Your Word to come alive in me;
Give me faith for what I cannot see,
Give me passion for Your purity;
Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me.
Hey Camille, I FINALLY added this song. It is such a meaningful song, lovely words. Thank you.
I got a request for Great is Thy Faithfulness. So adding that to the list here as song #14.
Added a new one, It is well with my soul – #15. Lot’s going on around us right now. Trying to stay in a place of peace.
Dear Shaunelle, it’s just a pleasure listening to your highly anointed songs. Thank you so much for sharing and blessing me with these ever powerful hymns. God richly bless you and increase your anointing level as you play skillfully to bless His kingdom. You are really a blessing. Stay blessed. Sena.
Thanks for that Sena. Glad the hymns are meaningful to you. Blessings to you too and stay safe.
Shaunelle, i’m late on this but i really love: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing which i hope you can play on
this platform (if you haven’t already). and also: What a friend we have in Jesus and Jesus, Lover of my Soul (let me to thy bosom fly). Blessings
Come thou fount was added my dear 🙂