4 Things I’ve Learned in Isolation

There are a few things I’ve learned since being mandated to stay home in the past weeks. Some really heavy stuff and some funny and light stuff. I wasn’t quite sure about which ones to focus on so I’ve chosen to share both the light and the heavy. I’ve laughed, cried, yelled, screamed and this post will probably take you on the same journey of emotions. Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy reading the top 4 things I’ve had to navigate through during quarantine

1. I’m NOT a homebody

The moment everyone started to be home I wanted to be out. The calmness of the streets was refreshing for me as an introvert. There was no traffic, no crowds, no long lines at restaurants,  it was amazing! Before this, I considered myself as a homebody. After a full day of teaching, running errands, going to meetings, exercising at the gym, etc. I loved coming home to simply relax, watch a movie, or take a nap but now that my home has been converted to my classroom, office space, gym, and laundromat I’m realizing that this is to much home for this body. I’ve taken drives to areas I rarely get the chance to visit, I’ve sat and had icecream in the parking lot of ice cream parlors, I’ve taken long walks and noticed that the lake in my community looks like its glowing at sunset. I want to be out and for long periods of time. I am not a homebody I am a seeker of peace.

2. Time isn’t the issue, I just don’t want to do it!

I know I’m not the only one that blamed lack of time for not accomplishing tasks. I did this all the time when it came to housework. Folding laundry and washing dishes were the top two household chores that I blamed on not having enough time. With all the time in the world, it still took me days to start folding and putting away laundry, I still try to bribe my husband daily to wash the dishes. I had this idea in my mind that if I just had a little bit more time than I’ll become Suzie Homemaker…Chile the lies! I’m no Suzie Homemaker, I literally avoid household chores and do them because I have to. Time had nothing to do with it, I just didn’t want to do it! Go ahead judge me all you want, I don’t care lol

3. God’s timing is perfect and strategic

There has been a lot of inconveniences that came with COVID-19 but when I stopped focusing on how it sucks I started to see how this experience can also be life-changing in a positive way. I looked around me and saw the beauty that was coming out of a very unfortunate situation.

The magnitude of the outbreak was around the time of spring break for us, the kids were going to be at home, I truly believe this helped to minimize the spread to our children. It also gave teachers and schools time to come up with a plan helping to decrease the gap of non-instructional time. My students were back in my “classroom” right after spring break. It also happened in the last quarter, forcing the cancellation of standardized testing. Music to a teacher’s ears! I know a lot of parents have had a hard time but don’t think of it as your kids are stuck at home all day but they are safe at home with you, in your tender loving care.

To the parents that are finally seeing their children’s true colors… We told you!😒
-Teachers around the world

I had to be closely monitored and had frequent doctor visits for bloodwork. The new flexibility in my work schedule allowed me to go to every appointment without impacting my ability to teach my classes. I was also granted the freedom to fully process everything I was feeling and experiencing without distracting myself with life’s daily hustle and bustle.

I have so many more examples in the area of family, faith, finances, and mental health but this post is already long enough and I still have one more point to discuss.

Instead of focusing on how frustrating it was to be home all the time, or having to go to several appointments in a week, or how inconvenient my life has become, I became thankful for God’s perfect timing.

4. My faith is conditional

Prior to practicing social distancing, I recognized that I haven’t fully trusted God in a particular area of my life. I didn’t like how wavering I felt whenever I was confronted with this situation. I acknowledged that my faith needed to grow and started to make the necessary adjustments in my life. I’ll be completely honest in saying that these adjustments were minor and temporary, I was not as intentional as I could have been; life went on as usual.

COVID-19 occurred shortly after and it’s like I continue to be hit over and over in the exact area I’m wavering the most. I really should have trained properly when I was given the chance🤦🏾‍♀️; the battle was on! I found myself in a war with what I saw or heard and the truths of scripture. I would say “I trust you God” but every time something happened my response was contrary to my proclamation. I literally went to God and said: “well if you would stop allowing this to happen then I wouldn’t be doing this”… the audacity of me to question His sovereignty. Why must a situation be perfect for me to trust him? Why can’t I trust Him even in the midst of everything that is happening?

In addition, my knowledge and logical reasoning took priority over faith. I would be reminded of the articles I read years ago, research studies and statistics more than I’m reminded of the promises and truth of God. There is nothing inherently wrong with acquiring information, those that know me are well aware of my love to research topics of interest, but my knowledge on a topic should have been used to empower my faith not to contribute to my doubts.

So yea, I learned that my faith was conditional. I saw it, I recognized it, I felt like I was losing in the battle of faith BUT I didn’t stop fighting; I am still fighting.

What are some things you’ve learned during this time of isolation? Share it in the comment section below. Let’s start a dialogue, it’s not like we got places to go.

#stillsovereign
Supporting Scriptures
Philippians 1:6
Philippians 1:19
Philippians 1:12
Timothy 1:12
Proverbs 3:5-6
Philippians 4:6-8
Just go read all of Philippians