Call Waiting

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

Quarantine Day 39. NYC

I don’t know about you, but the biggest thing I’m looking forward to when all this is over, is not having to sanitize my dang groceries every time they’re delivered! I swear, it’s like an all day ordeal!! And realtalk: how does one sanitize broccoli, anyway?! At this point, I’ve pretty much conceded to the fact that I’m basically drinking Lysol.

Just me?

Anywho – Quarantine has definitely brought a lot of truths into the light: Things we cannot live without. Things we need to work on. Things we took for granted.

But one of the biggest things quarantine’s illuminated for me is the importance of communication.

I mean, wow. If there is one thing that’s been getting me through this season of isolation, it is FaceTime and phone calls!

I’ve been incredibly impressed and touched by how many people in my life have risen to the occasion and stepped up their communication efforts!

And believe me, as someone who formerly hated talking on the phone, I’m shocked at how my love for phone chats has bloomed this past month. Quarantine’ll do that to ya, I guess!

But I had a realization last night. I was cooking dinner, and out of the blue, I got a phone call from a friend I hadn’t heard from in a couple weeks. He left NYC to quarantine in his hometown down south, and after 45 minutes of delightful conversation, I was shocked to hear myself say, “This has been the highlight of my day!”

That’s one of the things that quarantine has allowed: and that’s the realization that text messages just don’t really cut it. There’s something particularly meaningful about a phone call that says, not only: I’m thinking about you…but I want to hear your voice.

And now, more than ever, that hits deep. And FaceTime is even moreso. I was video chatting my mom, and she said, “There’s something about being able to see you. It’s comforting.”

And she’s absolutely right.

But hanging up the phone last night, I was smiling as I ate dinner alone, from my little “holding cell” here in the Village. Five hundred square feet can get rather suffocating, but that phone call provided a beautiful breeze of fresh air to circulate the space.

Communication has been such a vital aspect of my survival during this quarantine. And those people who have really shown up when the chips are down, and made their presence known through daily FaceTimes and frequent phone calls — it communicates so much more than just those 10 or 15 minutes of chatting. And conversely, the opposite communicates a clear message, too.

And that’s when it hit me: How have I been communicating with God?

And this friends, was a sobering – sobering – hard look in the mirror.

In this time of quarantine, when I am seeing, truly, how meaningful it is for people to make time for me, and show they care…am I doing that for God through prayer?

Prayer is how we communicate with Him. It’s a phone call – a FaceTime – a Zoom meeting – that says: God, I care about You. I want to spend time with You and hear Your voice.

Sure, prayer can take many different forms: it can be a quiet moment with your eyes closed, a song sung either out loud or in the heart, a journal entry, knitting a prayer blanket, running while saying the rosary, worshiping at Church…whatever the form, the message is the same: I want to be with You.

And I’m going to be honest — my prayer life could use a lot of work. It’s not necessarily redlining, but it is in dire need of some serious attention.

Because at the end of the day, each and every one of us wants to know that we matter. That we mean something to someone.

It goes back to that deep and inherent longing to be seen and known. To be loved.

And, as people made in the image and likeness of God, so too, does He want to feel those things from us.

That’s why He gave us free will. We have to choose to love God. He doesn’t force us to.

Now, in this quarantine, more than ever, how we choose to spend our time, says absolutely everything about our priorities in life.

And if I am unable to peel myself away from Instagram or from Netflix to check in with God for 15 minutes of prayer — what the heck does that say about me? Seriously. When I thought about it like that, it was a slap upside my own head.

All He wants is my heart. All He wants is for me to give Him my heart so that He can love me with a healing, and restorative love that only He can provide.

It’s time to give Him the time of day. A simple hello. Five minutes of sharing my thoughts, emotions, fears, joys.

It’s time to pick up the “phone.”

“This is what the Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” Ez 37:5

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beautybeyondbones

BBB: Because we're all recovering from something. // For speaking/business inquiries: beautybeyondbones@yahoo.com

234 thoughts on “Call Waiting”

  1. Beautiful. I think we all have times when we realize that we’ve let our relationship with God take on a backstage role. My prayer is that this period in our lives is the catalyst that many people need to remind them of the importance of maintaining that relationship. Thank you for being a part of that opportunity for so many.

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    1. Hi Amy! Thank you so much my friend. You’re right about that – maintaining that relationship is paramount. He is our source of life 🙂 joining you in that prayer!! Stay well! Hugs and love xox

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  2. I love the way you capture everything in your post. God, prayer, communication… It’s amazing. You look amazing

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    1. Thank you so much!!! Oh gosh you’re too kind. I appreciate that. Stay well my friend! Hugs and love xox

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  3. Well put. It’s easy to talk about prayer but difficult to spend quality time with God. It should not be … perhaps it speaks volumes about how we see our relationship with God! Thanks for the post. Blessings to you today, my Dear.

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    1. Thanks Linda! youre right about that. easier said than done!! you too friend, blessings to you! Hugs and love xox

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    1. thank you friend – yes! being able to see who you’re talking gives it a new level of meaningful!! i agree! stay well! Hugs and love xox

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  5. Hi Caralyn! I’m going to follow your blogging tips beginning today, and let the Holy Spirit fill my tank of ideas and revelations, to express what God has called me to share. I’m terrified since I lost my momentum when classes begin last August. I feel dry and with a writer’s block, but need to start the process and leave behind procrastination behind. Please pray for me, as I begin writing on Tuesdays, which is the day I’ve assign this to this adventure. Thank you for your inspiring and eye opening posts. Sending love and prayers from Miami to Manhattan. ❤️

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    2. Oh that’s awesome! I’m so excited for you!! You’ve totally got this – just let your heart move your pen 🙂 I will absolutely be praying for you! Stay well friend! Hugs and love xox

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  7. Very true, how awesome is God that He waits on us to speak to Him, although He doesn’t really need us, we need Him! Beautiful thought.
    And about washing the broccoli.. lol.. You can soak the vegetables in water and a little vinegar, then rinse and eat 🙂

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    1. Thank you so much Michal! Amen to that – He waits on us!! And great tip on the broccoli! Thank you!!! Hugs and love xox

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      2. thank you for your prayers — greatly appreciated!!!! have a great wednesday! Hugs and love xox

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  9. Yup, it’s easy to chit chat out with friends and family but harder (all in the mind) to sit still, close our eyes and talk to or listen from our very own “producer”. We have become to hate the silence. The buzzing life we are used to have made us think that whatever is moving is progressing. Not realizing that a river has to be still and peaceful if someone has to drink water from it. Appreciate your idea of linking the phone call with God to hear from him, about him, communicating with God.
    Wishing good health to you.

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    1. Hi Rupali! you’re right about that – this has definitely been a month of learning to embrace the silence haha stay well! Hugs and love xox

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  10. Classed as a key worker I have not been quarantined. And since I use public transport (because I don’t drive) I have (inevitably I guess) began to show symptoms of Covid19. It’s not me pretty hard. So now I’m in lockdown. Fully isolated, scared. I’ve took for granted the movement I have had over past few weeks. Now I’m ill, scared and feeling twitchy.

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    2. oh gosh, i’m so sorry, and i’ll be praying for you!! hang in there, my dear friend. my best friend had Covid19 at the beginning, and she is 100% back to normal now. Stay hydrated, get some rest, and just focus on getting better. praying for you!!! hugs

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      1. It’s times like this my faith gets me through. Yes it’s a struggle but I will be ok. Because God has a purpose for me. I just don’t know what it is yet.

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  11. Sharing because, funny. Not because I think it is you or anyone else. Who come sup with these things and so fast?

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  12. I was just pondering today the difference between communication and conversation. There is actually a huge difference if you get technical about it. Prior to Corona, did we live in a world of lots of communication but very little real conversation? And has corona made us realize that? Hhmmm.

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    1. Thank you friend – oh wow I’ve never thought about that but you’re absolute right! A huge difference. Hugs and love xox

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  13. I love your courage. You are an inspiration to me every day, in your battle to recover, excellent writing skills and faith. This post was amazing and just what I needed to hear. I will refer to it again and again.

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    1. Aw thank you so much Esther!! I am so touched by your generous words!! So glad this resonated with you. Big big hugs my friend xox

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  15. Interesting blog..! Trust me I know all too well regarding disinfecting things everytime you buy stuff from grocery store which you don’t know it may have been touched by others.. But in my situation is slightly different I live in a household of 5 people in a quite small house and we were all affected by the virus but with mild symptoms.. It’s so stressful being isolated from one another disinfecting areas that has been touched by so many of us… 😭 Thanks for sharing your experiences. Take care and definitely we’ll overcome this pandemic crisis. It was a nice read! Cheers! 🙂

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    1. Thank you friend 🙂 oh gosh! I’m sorry to hear that you and your house were sick!! I’m so glad to hear it was mild!! Stay well and I’m praying for ya! Hugs and love xox

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  16. Hopefully as things begin to loosen up we won’t just return to the way things were. What can e more important each day than time with my Creator? Is there anything so important as to draw me away from personal time with the only One who truly loves me, just for me?

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    1. Thanks so much Ted for your thoughts. I agree – I hope some of these new good habits and practices stick! Stay well. Hugs and love xox

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    1. Thanks friend – yes! That’s a good son right there. I’m sure that means more to her than you will ever know 🙂 stay well! Hugs and love xox

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  18. I finally got to read this. I’ll admit I don’t sanitize groceries. If we are at that point, there is no recovery from this. I wash my hands and clean thoroughly if I pickup or get something delivered. Which I’m not too fond of. Delivery in Staten Island for groceries where we live is a bit different than the city. So yeah.

    I really like what you emphasized in this post about communication being essential as essential as essential workers we appreciate. I understand who my inner circle is and love them. If someone cannot get back to me, that tells me everything. Most of the good ones do. It’s hard sometimes to know what to believe in. I always think there’s a light ahead of the tunnel. It’s why I write poetry on my blog. That is my hidden talent. I don’t always do it, but my writing has gone from sports and hockey to life, music and poetry. I guess things change us. I don’t know how I’ll feel when sports return. But it won’t be the same or have as much meaning.

    I identify with lyrics of bands like Nine Inch Nails because there’s so much in there from Trent that moves me. He puts so much emotion and unique sounds into it that it brings me in. I have been busy listening to a lot of classic 90’s CDs in my player. The 80’s mostly on YouTube.

    Of course I believe in God. As a Jewish New Yorker, I never was the most religious. Sometimes, I wish I had kept up with it. But life gets in the way. I do have a bible and started Genesis again. We’ll see how that goes.

    Finally, I believe in a higher dimension that we don’t see. That’s the unique one in the sky full of shining stars. Like your inner circle. You’re one of those stars.

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    1. Hi Derek. Thank you so much. Haha yeah – I think it’s really only an extra precaution. Thanks for sharing your heart on this. I love that you share your poetry – it is a gift to those who read it. The world is always in need of light and positivity 🙂 stay well my friend. Hugs and love xox

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  21. Stay safe, Caralyn! Wish you good health. I think it’s not too late to wish you a Happy Easter as well. God bless!

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  22. Hello BBB, I am so glad to know that so far you and your mom are safe.
    I am also so grateful that you are drawing closer to God through prayers, so happy for you.❤️❤️❤️🤗

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  23. Yes, I have found it comforting to spend more time in prayer. I especially miss my Sundays before 9 o’clock Mass where I would greet everyone at the door with smiles, handshakes and hugs. There is a feeling of community, but I’m blessed that our church is live-streaming daily Masses so we can still feel like a community. We are all praying together.

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  24. Hi Caralyn:

    You don’t know me, but I follow your blog, and I love reading your posts. They are so encouraging!! I particularly enjoyed this one, Call Waiting. I really liked what you said about talking to God and spending time with Him.

    However, I have a suggestion on a further way you can spend time with Him: by spending time reading and studying His Word, the Bible. If you want to learn about God, the best way to do it is consistently read the Bible. And because of this dastardly quarantine we all have all this extra free time, so why not fill it with something of value? Set yourself a schedule of so many chapters per day, and then stick to that schedule.

    Don’t get me wrong. Prayer is certainly a valuable pursuit, and you would do well to practice that discipline. I love talking to God. It helps me immeasurably to feel connected to Him, but I’ve learned SOOO MUCH about Him from reading His Word! The main thing I’ve learned is that He is ALWAYS with me, and has been throughout my life, protecting me from the worst of what I’ve had to endure, and keeping me alive when I and others didn’t want me to be. And the Bible says He will never leave me nor forsake me (Joshua 1:5 and Hebrews 13:5).

    Now, I’m sure that you already read your Bible everyday, so you can probably tell me to go take a flying leap (hehehe!!). I just figure we can all use a little pat on the back and an encouraging word during this time of isolation and quarantine.

    I love you and I’m praying for you!

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    1. Hi Sarah!! Oh gosh thank you so much! I’m so glad it hit home with you! And yes! That is such a great suggestion. The Bible is His love letter to us! Thanks for the wonderful encouragement! Hugs and love xox

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