Lessons Learned in 2020

         I have taken a little bit of time off, not really by choice, but due to a crazy semester back teaching in person and being a first round father while doing all of that. My wife and I have faced personal and professional challenges, and I believe that we have used them to grow as people, and to grow closer to God. This won’t be my usual fair of apologetics, but rather my thoughts and reflections on a year of a pandemic, a crazy election, a growing and learning daughter, and me getting close to the end of my 20’s.

Lesson One: This has followed around our having to teach college classes over zoom. I need to really express my interest in Chemistry in my voice when all I really have to work with is my voice and a screen. My students rarely turned on their cameras, and my usual means of engagement had to change. This had me thinking back in the spring about being all things to all people (1 Corinthians 9:19-23). I work for a university that prides itself on low student to teacher ratios (I probably have some of the largest classes at 48 students max). These students did not want to do classes online, but most of them rose to the challenge and I did my best to make sure they got the same quality education, given the circumstances. Then we were back in the fall semester, with classroom restrictions having my classes rotating in person and online. It was much more work that I expected, and I did grumble about the increased work load with no extra compensation. I had the parable of the field workers in mind. I had signed my contract back in May for the coming school year, so I agreed to work at the agreed rate. One might argue that because the pandemic changed my work circumstances (fall teaching conditions weren’t decided until July) I was justified in being frustrated. Maybe I was justified, but I took my frustrations out on my chair and dean, and they had more than enough on their plates. It caused some strife there, but I think we have an understanding now. I have learned to be thankful for still being employed in the face of many people being furloughed and forced to being at the mercy of politicians and stimulus packages, as well as growing in my patience.

Lesson Two: Our usual routine was totally disrupted, and still is for the most part. This has led me to have to trust in God for day to day needs, and I realize that many of my “needs” are first world problems (toilet paper shortage anyone?). I did notice that in the first couple of months of the pandemic, our grocery stores were pretty sparse, and appliances were running out, as I wanted to get a spare freezer for storage of my wife’s breast milk for feeding our young daughter, and eventually storing extra meals. I had to trust God to provide what we needed at the stores for a while, as my wife and daughter have dietary restrictions for their health. He did indeed provide, and we are very grateful for His provision.

Lesson Three: I have needed to provide grace for myself and others so much more during this learning/re-learning period. Mankind is not meant to be isolated like this, and Lord knows what all the fear mongering about this virus, the election, and all the other crazy world events have done to the general populace’s mental health. Indeed, we have seen reports of greater instances of mental illness, domestic violence, and child abuse during this year. I am still not the best with this depending on the day, because any parent can sympathize with their sanity being stretched to the limit by their child.

I think a general wrap up of all of this has been a general reliance on God’s goodness and a need for Him to grow me to be like Christ in a sense of patience and faith. I hope everyone has grown and not stood still in their walk this year. What lessons has God brought to you in 2020? Share them so we can keep growing. God bless and have a good rest of your day!