Goodbye 2020!

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The Year of the Test

“2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

James 1:2-4, NIV

Charles Dickens said it best, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”

I am convinced that the year 2020 has been very challenging for many people all over the world. Perfect vision is what 2020 represents in the world of ophthalmology. The year of 2020 has unveiled disparities, social unrest, division, and unique opportunities. This has been the year of the novel coronavirus pandemic, an unprecedented transformation within the public school system, an unstable economy, high unemployment rates, unforeseen deaths of loved ones, racial and political tension, extreme paranoia, and immense anxiety.

In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the novel coronavirus, caused a national shut down that created significant changes in my life. Like so many parents, I am now responsible for facilitating my daughter’s online education. At the same time, it is incumbent upon me to fulfill my workplace obligations. Honestly, I feel I have failed at successfully juggling both tasks. At times, I am brutally hard on myself. I have this nagging feeling that I am not doing enough to help my daughter obtain a comprehensive education.

Due to the unstable economy, my workplace is understaffed. This has added to my already stressful life because I am required to fulfill two full-time positions within our hybrid, instructional model, which is an unprecedented task for many educators all over the world.

As an educator, I have concluded that remote learning is a challenge for students, teachers, and parents. While this type of learning has made education accessible to many students during this pandemic, it is evident that the playing field is not level. Many students do not have equal access to technology and the proper support at home to facilitate a complete educational experience.

Thousands have lost their jobs due to the novel coronavirus, but some people have managed to maintain their employment. While many have been given the opportunity to work from home, others have not been so fortunate. They have had to make the difficult decision to put their lives in jeopardy in an effort to make a living for their families. Over 1.7 million people have died from COVID-19 all over the world thus far. Health experts predict that the novel coronavirus fatality rate will grow significantly higher. Given these grim statistics and predictions, words cannot express the anxiety I feel each time I walk into my workplace. This virus is rampant all over the world and none of us know who will be the next to get infected.

The political and social strife centered on the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Rashad Brooks, and other Black and Brown people killed by police officers, as well as the “Proud Boys,” Black Lives Matter Movement, QAnon conspiracy theories, and the Kenosha protests, just to name a few, have definitely taken a negative toll on my emotions. One night after watching the news, I felt compelled to simply pray for our much-divided nation. I simply fell on my knees and prayed for peace and restoration.

Not only did I feel compelled to pray for our nation, but I also had to pray for my family and for myself. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, my husband’s work industry was also significantly affected, resulting in a loss of income. A couple of months later, a deer hit my sports utility vehicle, and it was written-off as a total loss. To top it all off, my mother, who is a part of my support system, moved to another state. This has truly been a year of loss, uncertainty, and anxiety for many, including me.

At times, I literally feel like the walls are caving in on me, but I know this is never the time to throw in the towel. I must continue to relentlessly study God’s Word, and pray it over my life, my family, the world, and our nation.

At times, I really felt connected with God---as I prayed---as if I was on the verge of a breakthrough. Ironically, things seemed to get worst after some of these high encounters with God. The Enemy wants my testimony to be hopeless, but the Lord will turn everything out for good (Genesis 50:20). Yes, things get difficult, but God always shows me how strong I can be through His strength.

I would have never imagined being able to facilitate my daughter’s online education while, at the same time, fulfilling two positions on my job. However, through the grace of God, I am doing it! This situation has taught me how to work smarter and not necessarily harder; I have learned how to make S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound) goals and how to maximize my time efficiently. My daughter is becoming more tech-savvy and pedagogically independent. My insurance company gave me a settlement for more money than I was willing to ask for from a personal buyer for my sports utility vehicle. God has promised that whatever is taken from us, we will be paid back sevenfold (Proverbs 6:30-31).

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected our world, as we once knew it, it is also acting as a catalyst to uncover opportunities for thousands of people. The year of 2020 has prompted many people to realize just how resilient they can be. Many people are recognizing that they need to learn how to manage their finances better. Some people are more eager than ever before to acquire advanced degrees or more education in general and are motivated to get healthier. This pandemic has even presented opportunities for people to cultivate their creative talents and to show extreme kindness to one another. Words cannot express the gratitude I have for all of our frontline workers: doctors, nurses, medical professionals, grocery store workers, teachers, police officers, firefighters, and public servants.

In closing, the events of this year have been emotionally, financially, and physically stressful for many of us. Many have lost loved ones, jobs, and even hope in life in general. However, I encourage you not to give up. The sun will shine seven times brighter as the Lord binds up the bruises of His people and heals our wounds (Isaiah 30:26).

The year 2020 has challenged all of us to see beyond what it is and to seek ways to bring heaven to the earth (Matthew 18:18). Through all of the darkness, there will always be light. God shows the power of His glory through the gift of faith and the power of prayer! Feel free to visit miraculousmountainmovers.org to pre-order Releasing God's Power: A 30-Day Faith Building Prayer Challenge & Prayer Journal to unlock the power and to release God's power into your life!