Waiting on the World to Change

 Just as athletes need to consistently work out in order to be successful, writers need to continually practice their craft in order to create effective writing pieces.  That is something I’ve come to realize in the past few weeks.  I’ve sat down to write many times recently only to come up empty with what to say.  Some of it may be because I don’t have a place I can go to write and be on my own with everything closed down (as I’m writing this, I’m listening to my husband play video games and my dogs losing their minds about something they *think* they heard outside), but I think it’s probably more because I just haven’t taken the time to write in a long time.  I’ve literally started and restarted this post at least 10 times today.  After a year like we’ve had there is just so much to say – I’m just struggling to come up with the words to describe it.  Some call it the “new normal.”  Some say we are living in “unprecedented times.”  But in recent days I’ve remembered the true words from King Solomon: “There is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9)

The Day After...

Yesterday we celebrated the holiest of holy days in the year – Easter Sunday.  It is the day that Jesus was resurrected!  While it may have looked a little different this year, the excitement of the day was still greatly felt through social media.  My feed was filled with proclamations such as, “He is risen!” or “The tomb is empty!”  The sight of these declarations should make my heart leap with joy for all the people proclaiming the resurrection.  Unfortunately, in all honesty, my heart felt sad and empty.  It had nothing to do with not being able to gather on Easter (though again, it was a very strange Easter) but everything to do with the people who were saying these things.  I was honestly SHOCKED by many of the people essentially declaring to the world of their faith in Jesus.  I had no idea some of these people I knew were Christians.  Where was this faith yesterday and the day before?  Why do we only declare Christ one day a year?

Don't Waste It

Like everyone almost globally at this point, my life was turned upside down by this thing called COVID-19.  While many things have been thrown out the window, one specific thing is hitting me hard today. At this very moment I should be in Chattanooga, TN with my 2 color guards, celebrating their seasons at championships.  We are all sitting here wondering when life will get back to normal.  Will I get to see my students again?  When can we start back to color guard again?  Will the seniors I’ve watched grow for years get to take those much longed for steps across the stage to receive their diplomas?  As we look at all these things we had such assurance and certainty in, we’ve grown more appreciative of the world around us.  But why didn’t we appreciate these things before they were stripped away?