Peace in the Midst of Chaos by Teacher Annie Hale
I would be lying if I said I was now able tocomprehend all that has happened in our world over the past week pertainingparticularly to the COVID-19. I've wanted to voice my thoughts on all that hashappened, but I don't even really know where to begin. The first place to startthat comes to mind is my classroom last Friday, March 13th.
My students and I had what we call a "familymeeting". I let them just talk and voice any questions, comments, orconcerns they had because they are 5th graders and I knew they had questions.Many of them had done more research on it than I have honestly and sharedopenly about what they knew! They were curious more than anything just how thisvirus started, why all these plans were being made in the nation/world, is therea cure, and the question on all of our minds, “Why were people taking all ofthe toilet paper?”. Most of the time I had to say, "I really don'tknow." Other times I responded with, "You will have to ask someone athome about that." I wanted them to ask questions, but I also didn’t wantto feed them with false information or more information than their familieswere comfortable with them knowing.
We ended the meeting with me saying, "While I may not know answers to all of your questions or wonderings there are a couple of things I do know for sure. One is that we cannot live in fear. I realize it's a lot easier said than done, but I know we can all do it and I'm speaking to myself as well, cause it's hard! Something else I know is we cannot spend time in drama or getting feelings hurt now, or ever. This is the time to be there for each other and not hold grudges*. We need each other now more than ever. I'm not telling you that you have to be besties with every person, because that just isn't going to happen. I am telling you, however, that it's time to drop the grudges...".
(*I said thisparticularly because there had been some of that going on lately.)
The day ended much differently than I ever dreamed when I woke up that morning. By the end of the school day, we were informed beginning March 16th students would not be returning to school until further notice. It was with a heavy heart I said goodbye as they walked out the door yesterday afternoon. All of the unknowns are overwhelming. All of the fears are crippling. There is just a lot. A lot I still cannot process. BUT...
I have comfort in knowing my God is omnipotent. HEknew this was coming way before we did. He is my strength, my rock, and my songof peace in the midst ofchaos.
Since the mind is a battlefield, I've been trying every day to focus on Scripture, hymns, and things I have to be thankful for, so I can keep my mind on Christ. Keep strong and press on toward Christ.
Annie Hale is a Christian teacher from Huntington, WV. She graduated from Marshall University with a degree in Elementary Education and a few years later with her Master’s from Concordia; and has been teaching for about six years. In her spare time, she enjoys being outside, drinking coffee, drawing, reading, doing puzzles or spending time with her family and friends. She is happily married to Nathan Hale who is also a teacher and coach, and they have been married for three years. Her true desire in life is to bring all glory and honor to God in everything she does!