Hearing the news about how our school was taking action against COVID-19 was devastating for many. Graduating seniors had to say early goodbyes to many friends they may never see again. Professors had to rush to make their classes available online. Resident students had to scurry to pack everything and figure out how to get home almost 2 months early. Personally, I had a very difficult time with my attitude about having to leave campus suddenly. Many events at school that I was looking forward to were being cancelled and I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to all of my friends! Coming home was bitter-sweet; I’m biased towards the fact that I live in the best state in the U.S. (Colorado, of course), but I was not at all ready to come home from the semester.

The first few days at home were an adjustment for my routine and my attitude. I had to find ways to keep myself busy so that I would stay sane, and to also keep my mind off the fact that I couldn’t really go anywhere or see anyone.

While I was moping in self-pity, I had close friends ask me if there was anything they could pray for with everything going on. Wow was that like a slap in the face realizing how selfish I had been! I had so much to be grateful for! I have a wonderful family and loving parents who push me towards excellence and towards Christ, I have annoying siblings who I love so incredibly much, I was able to come home unlike many international students, and last but not least, I was healthy!

While I had been dwelling on all the inconveniences of this worldwide virus, I had completely ignored the many blessings that God had bestowed upon me. I began praying that God would give me opportunities to be encouraging to others and be able to invest in others even though that seems next to impossible right now. I also prayed that God would give me a grateful heart and that I would never take advantage or look past the blessings all around me. During the trials we must focus on how God is manifesting Himself to us and how we, as His children, can be a light to those who are suffering and lost. Keep up the faith and don’t lose courage and love during this difficult time.

Written by Victoria Richards.
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