I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait, And in His word do I hope. Psalm 130:5
As I write this post, my family and I are beginning a period of quarantine that looms long into the days ahead.
COVID-19 has finally made its unannounced, unwanted, uninvited arrival into our home. Ironically, the positive diagnosis came exactly a year to the day that COVID was declared an international pandemic, and earlier that day I admit to feeling a sense of relief that we had made it through the difficult year untouched. Perhaps untouched is the wrong word. We were all touched, weren’t we? We lost loved ones, we avoided physical touch, we put physical barriers between us. Celebrations were cancelled, and plans were delayed indefinitely. It was a year of fear, a year of sadness.
As I look back, though, I surprise myself by realizing that some good came of the year too. I spent months with my children at home, in a way that will likely never happen again. We played games, watched movies, cooked together, took walks and bike rides.
I told my friends and family often how much I love them. I made a conscious effort to be a better wife, mother, and friend. I spent more time in prayer, both in petition and thanksgiving.
In the weeks and months ahead, I am hopeful that we can begin to regain some of what has been lost. I want to host sleepovers and bonfires. I want to enjoy a night out and a church potluck. I want to hug my parents.
It is this hope that will keep me moving forward through the challenges of another quarantine, as the psalmist says: “I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more” (Psalm 71:14).
Kelly Beverly,
English Teacher