The first day back to school I was so proud of how my students did with handling their masks. Okay, maybe we can do this! By day 2, one student had figured out she could stretch the mask to make it cover her entire face and the rest of my students were enjoying using their masks for playing cops and robbers at recess.
This past week in History, we were going to be talking about how industry changed after the Civil War. As I usually do for this lesson, I bought all of the ingredients for making a snack mix by utilizing an assembly line…and then realized that even with masks and clean hands, this probably wasn’t the wisest idea and nixed it – so I now have an abundance of fruit loops and marshmallows if anyone needs them!
While I have been so thankful for the opportunity to be in-person in my classroom this fall, I have found that things are not normal. Perhaps you are also teaching in person; perhaps you are virtual; perhaps you are hybrid. Whatever your situation, teaching this past year has looked different from how it has before. Forget the “new normal”, I just want to go back to the “old normal”!
As the school year marches on, my heart yearns for the day when a simple cold, tummy bug, or lice were the biggest health concerns in my classroom. I am tired of worrying over every cough and sniffle, wondering if I need to call in a sub. I want to take my kids on field trips. I want them to have their desks back in collaborative groupings instead of spaced out.
For those of you doing virtual or hybrid learning, there are so many things I know that you miss and yearn for – from simpler lesson plans to high fives to seeing that lightbulb moment in class.
For many, this year has been more than just having to rethink how you teach. Perhaps you or a family member has lost their job; maybe you have lost someone you love; maybe you or a family member has received an unwelcome diagnosis. “Normal” seems like something that will never be true for you again. While suffering always exists, for me it has seemed heightened with everything else that is going on in our world.
My heart grows heavier and heavier as I look around me and face the uncertainty of the future. At times, I can feel the panic rising as I realize that I truly am not in control of anything.
But God is.
The One who created this world, the One who loved me so much that He gave His Son to die for me, the One who has promised to put an end to all pain and suffering one day (Rev. 21:4)…He’s in control. That hasn’t changed. This “new normal” has actually been a blessing – a hard blessing – but a blessing, nonetheless, because it is reminding me of how much I need God.
Instead of looking at the circumstances around me, I have seen the importance of needing to keep my gaze fixed on Him.
For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress, I shall not be greatly shaken. (Ps. 62:1-2)
As I read this passage, I asked myself how I would honestly answer the question, “what is my soul waiting for?” What is it that I am wanting desperately and don’t have? My heart immediately cried out, “normalcy!” And I realized that normalcy has become my new god. The hope of returning to normal is what thrills my heart. The fear of not returning to normal is what overwhelms my heart. I have set my hope in “normal” as if that is my savior! If we can just get back to normal, everything will be okay!
But the Psalmist knows that when we put our hope in anything other than Christ, we will be disappointed. We will be let down. The Psalmist specifically says that his soul waits for God alone. His confidence is in God, not God plus a change in his circumstances.
God alone is my hope…not the hope of a return to normalcy.
God alone is my rock…In this time of uncertainty, He is the only certainty. His love hasn’t changed and never will. His sovereign control hasn’t changed and never will.
God alone is my fortress…the One that I can run to when my heart is overwhelmed.
From the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. (Ps. 61:2)
When your heart is overwhelmed with how to teach your students through a computer screen, run to Him.
When you feel the weight of new expectations and standards bearing down on you, run to Him.
When the panic begins to rise and choke you, run to Him.
Things aren’t normal and probably won’t be for a while…but because we know God, we can persevere with joy and peace. You’re not alone. You’re not forgotten. You’re not at the mercy of circumstances. Our sovereign God is in control of all and is waiting with open arms to give you the strength and comfort that you need.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. (Ps. 46:1-2)
For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, fear not, I will help thee. (Is. 41:13)
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers they shall not overflow you. (Is. 43:2)