Accepting the Assignment

Introduction:

For anyone that hasn't figured it out yet (or hasn't just emerged from living underground), the United States...actually the WORLD is in the midst of a global pandemic. Covid 19, a respiratory virus, has been plaguing the world for the last few months. Most countries have seen this virus and have felt its affects. Here in the US, entire states are practically shut down, "Stay at Home" orders have been issued, sporting events on the national and international level have been cancelled. Businesses that aren't considered "essential" have been directed to close. And a new phenomenon called "social distancing" has become the new goal for every American and "flatten the curve" has become our new motto.

As we work through this pandemic, I have seen several people make the comment about the "New Normal" that we have found ourselves in. And in many cases, it has been a very stressful and nerve wracking experience of a transition into this new normal. In the last week or two, I have seen a few people that make the comment about how we keep wishing things would go back to "normal". BUT, if we think about it, that old "normal" is what caused us to respond and act like this. Is that really what we want to go back to? That thought has really captured my mind for the last few days.

Over the next 26 days, my hope is to bring some truth into this "New Normal". Here's my goal: to look at how our "old normal" got us to this "New Normal"...and how this "New Normal" can be the gateway for a completely different "New Normal" after this pandemic has started to subside.

I have another blog called "Past. Present. Future" where I make connections from my personal past, see how it has affected my present day circumstances, and hopes and dreams from those areas for the future. Most of those are geared more to my personal goals of following a call on my life to work with international populations.

For this blog, I will also be using the 'past, present, future' model that I use with my other blog. I will be looking at some areas for myself personally, at my life before this pandemic, how things have changed in the present, and where that could lead in my future.


Day 1: Accepting the Assignment

Past:

Probably one of the biggest areas of this pandemic that has affected me has been with school closures across my state. On Thursday, March 12th, I was not having a good day. The previous day, on Wednesday, March 11th, I had an experience with a student that I had never had before. Some very unkind words had been said by this student (the specific details of which will remain confidential). Unkind words that rattled me to my core. Although I handled the situation as best as possible and the student was issued a consequence by administration, that was yet another incident in a LONG line of crappy experiences with students that have happened throughout the school year.

Walking into my school on Thursday, I was still not doing so great from the comment the student had made the day before. I had two meetings scheduled for that morning - one with my teaching mentor, and one with my principal. During the first meeting with my teaching mentor, I ended up in tears. I had struggled that morning to even want to get out of bed and go back to work. I was worn out. I was exhausted. I was feeling very isolated and alone through this situation. Towards the end of that meeting, I was talking to my teaching mentor about taking a "mental health" day that coming Monday. I wanted to give myself a 3-day weekend to hopefully breathe and refuel myself. We had a scheduled 2-hour delay the following day with end-of-the-quarter grades due very soon, and these two meetings, which is why I didn't take that "mental health" day earlier.

By lunchtime, I was talking to a fellow co-worker, who was nice enough to help me walk through the steps and information for requesting a personal day for the following Monday. I planned to put the request in after school that day.

By the end of the school day, we were informed that the governor of our state had mandated that all K-12 schools would be closed for 3 weeks, beginning on Tuesday, March 17th.

Instead of a 3-day mental health break, God decided I needed a little more than that.


Present:

Who wouldn't LOVE to have a mandatory 3 weeks off?!?! (And, at the time of writing this, that has now been extended. We are now off for an additional month). Due to some situations, my district doesn't completely have the abilities to do "e-learning". So, we made learning packets for our students. I'm expected to be available during the regular work day for questions and contacts from parents, but other then that, my days are for me to fill.

Here's the crazy thing. I'm in my final 7-week course for my master's degree. About a month ago, I posted on social media about my stress and anxiety level for completing all the necessary assignments for this last class after the instructor for the class had emailed out some information and rubrics to us. I had wondered how I was going to be able to handle working full time, teaching ESL classes one day a week, teaching dance classes one day a week, maintaining my service and ministry at my church, as well as the higher load of work for this class. I actually find it somewhat ironic that the closure of school is coinciding with my grad school class.

For the first time since I started this grad school program, my inability to complete assignments has NOTHING to do with a lack of time. Rather, it's just straight up procrastination.

Y'all, here's what you need to understand. Although I get that this pandemic is a BIG issue. People are dying. Hospitals are getting over-full. People are losing their jobs. I 100% believe that the fact that this pandemic hit at this time was NOT a mere coincidence. (Please also don't blame me or any other high school, college, or grad school graduate for this either...)

The Bible tells us that God knows us. He sees us. He knows us in such an intimate way. One of my new favorite worship songs states that "He formed us from dust [and] put His breath in our lungs".

He knows us. Do we know Him??


Future:

In some future day, we will be somewhat back to "normal". We'll be able to get in large-ish gatherings and this entire season of life will just be that...a season. But something that I've been thinking about a lot lately, is how will I live my life differently when that happens?

Ephesians 4:22-24 says:

22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

The Bible commands us to put off our old self and put on a new self. Perhaps our current season is one way that God has chosen to accomplish this? 

We're never promised that life here on Earth will be easy. No where in the Bible is that a promise. And, as I've learned in my life, following God takes sacrifice. Even if that means being "socially distant" from others. Although I'm in dire need of a good bear hug, He is my help. God didn't say it would be easy. But He's promised to walk with us through everything. He is our shepherd (Psalm 23). And a good one at that.

So when this pandemic is more of just a memory and not our current reality, how will you react the next time God gives you an assignment? None of us asked for this "assignment" as Christians. No one asked for churches and sporting events to cease to meet. But this is our reality. 

If God says "go"...and your cheering section is MIA, will you still follow Him? Will you still follow him even when the circumstances aren't what you thought they'd be? God promises to provide everything that we NEED. 

As we continue through this pandemic, my hope and prayer is that at the end of all of this, you'll be able to more readily say "yes" to God's direction - no matter what that may entail.