LSEM
  • About
    • What We Do…
    • History
    • National Staff
    • Jobs
  • Services
  • Parents
  • stories
  • Give
  • Contact
  • LSEM PORTAL
  • About
    • What We Do…
    • History
    • National Staff
    • Jobs
  • Services
  • Parents
  • stories
  • Give
  • Contact
  • LSEM PORTAL
LSEM > Devotions > What I’ve Learned: The COVID-19 Edition

What I’ve Learned: The COVID-19 Edition

  • March 31, 2022
  • Posted by: Carolyn Mahal
  • Category: Devotions
No Comments

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” – Hebrews 13:8

“For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.” – Malachi 3:6

Now that our “two-week break” for COVID-19 has passed the 100-week mark, I thought this might be a good time to reflect upon some of the things I’ve learned over the past two years. As a demonstration, allow me to share my thoughts on two very popular phrases that we have heard repeatedly since March of 2020.

1. “We are all in this together.” – This gem could be considered the official catch phrase of the pandemic. It could also go down as the biggest lie this side of reality TV. We have heard so many people in so many places offer these words of encouragement. I think they are designed to help us all feel better by knowing that the lousy situation we’re in isn’t as lousy as we think it is because it is equally lousy for everybody else. This is the same logic that would also lead me to believe that the pains of childbirth aren’t so bad because every woman who gives birth experiences them. Go ahead and share that nugget with your wife, mother, or anyone else who has ever given birth. I dare you. Just know that if you do, we will definitely NOT be in that together either.

You could probably strike the word “together” and be a lot more accurate. We’re all in this. That is most certainly true. I just don’t think we can say that we’re anywhere close to together. Way too many people with way too many divisive views to even begin to think we’ve achieved unity. Some blame this on posturing of politicians. Others blame CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, and the other news outlets for their incendiary reports. Many blame corporations who have used the crisis to line their pockets. Still others blame the millions on social media who spout off with anything that pops into their heads designed to get clicks, likes and followers. I can simplify the cause to one word: sin. Our sinful nature makes it impossible for people to unify behind anything. We are selfish, stubborn, conceited, and unwilling to concede anything to which we think we’re entitled. It’s been that way since Satan initiated the first worldwide pandemic by convincing Adam and Eve that they didn’t need to listen to God (and let me tell you, when He discovered what had happened, God did not try and sell a mere two-week shutdown).

2 “It’s the new norm.” – This is a recycled phrase, having been used several times over the years when tragedies resulted in extensive changes to the way society does things. For example, I flew on a commercial airplane earlier today and let me tell you, the entire process is very different than it was when I flew for the first time back in 1988. Some of the changes were based on improvements in technology and communication. I didn’t use a travel agent to buy tickets, rather, I bought them on a mobile app. My boarding pass was on my phone, no paper to juggle and possibly lose. My phone also told me what gate the flight left from, where I would claim my bags, and I even ordered a ride to the hotel. These things would have never been possible in the good old days. Of course, back then we didn’t need to go through multiple layers of somewhat invasive security just to get to the gate. Our family and friends could come to the gate to see us off, and I wasn’t required to wear a mask over my nose and mouth throughout the entire process. Those new steps were added thanks to terrorist attacks and a worldwide pandemic, and except for the mask wearing, those things are likely to continue as the accepted procedure for flying. Some of the changes are for the better. Others are protective measures designed to thwart the potential actions of evil people. Again, we find ourselves in a position where the sins of mankind have irreversibly changed airline travel for people all around the globe. Perhaps what we have discovered is the new norm is more deeply connected to the old norm of sin.

These thoughts make me more thankful than ever that I am loved by a God who is greater than all these things. Yes, it is true that we’re all together when it comes to dealing with our sinful natures. But we can offer our Father our deepest thanks when we consider that His love for us and His desire to save us from our sin equally unites us. We need a Savior. God sent His Son, Jesus to be our Savior. His death and resurrection atone for our shortcomings and created for us our new norm as redeemed children of God, saved by grace, through faith in Christ who is the same today, tomorrow and forever. We can rely upon Him to keep this promise because we know that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We don’t need a hashtag, a flash mob, or a Tik Tok to unite us. The sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit of the Lord accomplishes that.

So, what have I learned?  In all things, both good and bad, I will give thanks to God for his great love and for the peace that can only come from on high. I will continue to serve Him on earth until He chooses to give me my undeserved, eternal heavenly gift. May you also know this truth and live your lives in His peace, mercy and grace.

 

Devotion by Richard Schumacher

LSEM Director of Programs & Services

  • Recent Posts

    • Train Up a Child
    • Lead, Follow, & Get Out of the Way*
    • Celebrating Our Failures*
    • Simply Heroic
    • What I’ve Learned: The COVID-19 Edition
  • Staff

    • Board Of Trustees
    • National Staff
    • Teachers
  • More Stories

    Recognizing Success

    Graduation Gratitude

    Carryover Success

    Learning and Teaching

    Coolness!

    A Path of Improvement

    Learning Brings Confidence

    Something That Works

    From Fearful to Fearless

    A Magical Moment

    Growth Mindset: Self Advocacy

    Growing and Blooming

    Building That Relationship

    Finding the Right One

    Getting Back On Track

    More Than Just Academics

    No Problem

    God’s Love in the Classroom

    A Familiar Face

    Rewinding the Negative

    What A Difference

    The Power of Relationship

    The Encouragement to Shine

    Long Lasting Effects

    A New Start For A Child

    Providing Effective Instruction

    Summer Practice and Fall Success

    Where God Leads

    What A Teacher Longs For

    Blossoming Success

    Support Makes A Difference

    Attitude and Determination

    A Real World Connection to Learning

    Watch in Amazement

    More Than Just A School

    Some Classroom Success Stories

    A “Shark Tank” Story

    Creature Comfort

    Fostering Spiritual Growth

    Catching Up

    Another Way to Read

    Connecting Learning to Hobbies

    A Wow List

    I Know the Answer!

    It’s Okay to Ask for Help

    Long Term Growth

    Resilience

    Practice Makes Progress

    Teaching at Many Grade Levels

    Yes You Can!

    Learning and Building Confidence

    Finding the Fun in Reading

    The Hybrid Classroom

    Teaching Outside a Resource Room

    Sight Word Wow

    Acceptance Leading to Growth

    The Goal Stays the Same

    Seeing Smiles

    A New Way to Teach

    Attitudes Change

    Consistent Alternatives

    A Hand to Help

    A Message from the President/CEO

    How Your Gift Makes an Impact

    LSEM Christmas Tea

    There Are Spiders in Her Office!

    Finding Her Place

    Small Tech Makes a Big Improvement

    New Families for a New School Year

    We Praise the Lord

    Transitions

    It’s Been a Busy Summer

    Golf for a Cause!

    Faith During the Pandemic

    A Fireside Chat with Stacy Hoeft

    Work From Home Desk Challenge

    We MOVED!

    Introducing 20 in 20

    Hear From Our Teachers

    LSEM Summer Shorts

    To God Be the Glory!

    A Thank You to Our Teachers

    A Valentine’s Special

    New Students and New Challenges

    A Brief Reflection On Service

    Teaching in a Virtual Landscape

    Teaching in a Time of Uncertainty

    LSEM in Texas

    Anxiety and Learning

    You Don’t Have to Choose

    A Learning Haven

    Causing a Culture Shift

    Connecting in a Time of Difficulty

    Growth and Goodbyes at St John Rochester

    Growing Confidence

    A Friendsgiving Story

    Not Being Defined by a Learning Need

    A Shifting Approach to Special Education

    Teachers Are Like Family

    Enthusiastic Support in Hanoi

    Step Up to Reading

    Starting on an Active Note

    Look at That Smile!

    Seeing Yourself in a Story

    What Makes a Wow Story

    Celebrate Them Going

    Lutheran Education Podcast

    Exactly the Help We Needed

    On the Ballot for the National LWML

    A Special Announcement

    Stories from Hearts for Jesus 2

    Stories from Hearts for Jesus 1

    Hearts for Jesus Continues!

    Busy Bees at St Peter

    Professional Development Helps Everyone

    An Unexpected Opportunity to Help

    Technology Opening Doors of Communication

    Satchian’s Story

    A Trip to Let It Shine

    Saying YES to a Child in Need

    Literacy and A Little Library

    A Positive Program Result

    A Kindergarten Wow Story

    Technology is Opening Doors for LSEM Students

    LSEM Helps Establish Standards

    Honoring the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

    An Innovative Principal’s Mindset

    It Takes A Team

    High School Transformation

    Growing and Graduating

    Minnesota Principal Sees LSEM Impact

    The Best Gift of All

    A Young Boy with a Giant Heart

    LSEM Helps Texas School Shine its Light

    Notes from the Tree House

    LSEM Student Uses Dance to Express her Love of Jesus

    Costa Mesa Principal Reports LSEM Success!

    A Second Grade Success Story

    Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Student Fearless About His Future!

    Crown of Life Lutheran School Puts its Mission into Action

    Future Cities Super Star Wins at National Competition

    Former LSEM Student Uses Her Experience to Help Others

     LSEM Teacher Uses Skills to Connect with Teen Learners 

    A Mother’s Voice: How Mia Transformed Her Struggles to Success 

    A Perfect Storm

    You can. We can. The children can!

    From shy and quiet to outgoing and involved

    Success stories all around us

    Students compete in national competition

    An “Updated” Story of Faith

    From the Heart: A Friend of LSEM Shares How His Family Made a Difference

    From Struggling to Smiling

    Wow! This has made all the difference

    One Child. Two Perspectives

ABOUT US

Throughout our history God has graciously revealed his plan for us. Although the educational landscape is constantly changing, LSEM is committed to partnering with Christian communities to help meet the needs of children and their families. Please contact us if you would like more information on how we can support you or your ministry.

QUICK LINKS

  • ABOUT US
  • LATEST NEWS
  • GIVE
  • STORIES
  • HEARTS FOR JESUS

CONTACT US

3773 Geddes Rd.
       Ann Arbor, MI 48105-3028

248-419-3390

Fax: 248-419-3394

Email: lsem@luthsped.org

Building Brighter Futures
Footer logo
Footer logo
Search