Here I am, sitting on my couch with my extremely fluffy pup, trying to adjust to this new normal.
Is that what this is? Normal?
Let me take you back a few weeks before I dive into this new normal I speak of.
It's 3 am. Go. To. Sleep. I tell myself, but no Sing Song is this weekend, and rehearsing my act over and over again in my head as I lay wide awake is extremely normal at a time like this.
Ah, the season of Sing Song. If you're not familiar with this concept it's pretty much the greatest weekend of your life. Costumes, sets, people bursting with excitement, the acts from every club and class, and oh the trophy ;).
I’ll be honest, and probably speak for a vast majority of the other participants, I wasn’t always looking forward to practice taking up 3-4 nights of my week. However, that being said, I knew what I was signing up for and my love for the women of Ko Jo Kai would conquer all… Well at least enough to take home the trophy…
Picture this: the creative geniuses behind our act made it come to life with a flip of a switch, a few tunes, and some determined gals who wanted to make sing song history. Well friend, let me fill you in on a little secret: WE. SWEPT. Yep, you heard me. Every single category. First place. All ours. We did it. The late-night practices, the building of the costumes, and the running across campus in your slippers because you’re late (if you’re picturing me at this moment, I plead the fifth), all paid off.
The home stretch, as some like to say, the two weeks before spring break feel like a lifetime. Good nights rest? Never heard of her. Spring break? Probably non-existent at this point. Google Calendar agenda? Full to the max.
If you know me, you know my life line is Jesus, people, and my google calendar. THAT my friends I live by.
So there I was, in the ever so slow Starbucks line in the library. Already accepting the fact that my iced coffee was more important than being ontime to my class, I carried on with my scrolling of the ‘gram. I finally got my iced latte and I'm off to the races. Board meetings, coffee dates, workout classes, homework, and oh yeah quiet time.
This is my life, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The campus of Abilene Christian carries a vibe of exhaustion and determination. We know that if we make it through these couple of weeks we are home free for the next 7 days to binge watch anything and sleep till whenever. I want to be honest with you friend, they went by in a blur. Yet, my cup was running over with quality time spent with soul filling people, many hours spent watching intramurals, and of course tea 2 go runs.
I was often congratulated for my win on Sing Song and every time it never failed to wipe a big smile across my face. ‘These are my people” I think to myself. Walking through the campus center makes my heart swell, seeing friends as I walk to COBA (the College of Business Admin.) on those bright monday mornings affirm me in my thinking. I belong here, I never want this to be taken from me, this is home.
Fast forward to March 20, 2020.
“We are deeply saddened to announce ACU will continue their learning online through the end of the semester.”
My heart drops.
Corona. Covid-19. Call it what you want.
Now listen, an extended spring break I can handle. Who doesn’t want a couple of extra nights in their own bed or waking up to a home that makes you feel the warm fuzzies inside?
I bent God’s ear, talking about how my life just turned upside down. And WHAT on earth He thought He was doing?
Okay, friends, hear me out.
As you may know, I am probably one of the most extroverted people on this planet. Being around people and getting to know them energizes me. The Lord has been kind enough to show me that there is a possibility of making it without constant human interaction. Society calls it “social distancing”-gross.
I will admit, being ripped away from my new home-away-from-home was no small feat. The first couple of days I was a grouch, not even the biggest cup of coffee could snap me out of the way I was feeling.
It's almost indescribable, friends. It was one of those moments where your mind and gut are on the same page, but my heart just wasn’t ready for reality.
Soon to be reminded that only good things come from the Lord, I began to wonder WHAT good is going to come from this. I just wanted answers. I prayed to our gracious Savior to just let me have a little peek at the playbook. Just a glance!
But, as we all know that's just not how it works. Yet again, He still remained true and faithful.
I was floored when I finally started to notice the things right in front of me, yall.
There is a passage in the book of Daniel that my preacher and a dear friend pointed out. The first chapter it talks about Daniel’s faithfulness to the Lord and how He delivered them after the 10 days. What really got me was verses 11-18:
11 Daniel then said to the guard... 12 “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” 14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.
15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16 So the guard took away their choice of food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.
17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.
FRIENDS!! He is so faithful!! The passage speaks for itself, but man have I found myself rejoicing through this time of uncertainty! He is there in the midst of the storm, He knows what is coming, and He has never wavered from His promise!
So, all of that being said I want to challenge you. Right here. Right now. To learn to thrive in the midst of this chaos. Find the joys in the bird chirping and the sweet puppy kisses! Go on! I dare ya!
xoxo, A
