Even Though

Happy Tuesday Y'all

Last month, I read a blog post by Velvet Ashes that centered around the phrase,

Even though...

They centered it around Habakkuk 3:17-18, which says...

"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation."

And ever since I read that post, it's been on my mind. 

And it reminded me of this song...

And then COVID-19 started spreading more widespread (literally, worldwide) than anyone could have imagined. And the news fed into a lot of the panic people were experiencing. Scrolling through Facebook or Instagram showed that many people were super scared and panicking.

Am I worried?

Honestly... I'm not too worried for myself. I'm taking the necessary precautions. I'm doing all the things I'm supposed to. Because of that, I'm truly not worried about myself catching this disease. I've stocked up on all of the essentials, so I have enough food and stuff to last me quite a while.

 However, my mind does wander periodically to worry about people in my life who are more susceptible to this illness. Family members, friends, colleagues, students, many of the Senegalese...  That's who I end up worrying most about...

Not to mention, in living overseas, there's an extra set of concerns. 

Last week the airport was closed down, which means there are no flights in or out, barring a major life/death level of emergency. ...which means, I'm basically stuck here for the time being. And if I'm being honest, I'll say that the feeling of being "trapped," so to speak, is a little unnerving.

And then yesterday, the government instituted a few more restrictions on us. A nightly curfew, no moving from city or city, etc. And the rumor mill is saying we should expect a total lockdown soon, if the number of cases doesn’t drop soon.

But, a good friend and I were talking about all of this yesterday...

It's weird. I feel as if I’m in this weird state of semi-peace and semi-anxiousness. I truly do feel safe and peaceful at home (my home here in Senegal). And in all reality, there are less cases in the whole country here than there are in my home state in the U.S. 

But I do sometimes worry. 

And it's in those times, those words in Habakkuk come back to me...

"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation." (Habakkuk 3:17-18)

 And so, as I go through my days, I'll try to spend more time humming Micah Tyler's song and repeating those words from Habakkuk. And I'll remember...

Even though a disease is rapidly spreading...
 
Even though colleagues are battling for their lives, thanks to this disease... 

 

 Even though I'm a few thousand miles and an ocean away from family...

Even though I recognize that there is a small possibility I might not get to go home to see my family this summer... 

Even though special events may be cancelled...

Even though I'm basically stuck at home...

Even though my students are confused because our routine is changed...

Even though I miss my students something fierce (even if it is Spring Break)...

Even though there is doom & gloom all over social media...

Even though most news stories are panic/anxiety inducing...

Even though there are so many things I could potentially worry about...

Even though...

I can focus on Him.

"I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation."

Because no matter what difficult times I (or those I love) may face, God is still, and will always be, in control. And I will rejoice in Him.


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Today, I'm joining Ashley and Erika for their monthly Tuesday Talk link-up, where we, bloggers, come together and talk about whatever is on our mind at the moment.

 

January - Confidence

February - When God Gives A Girl A Brother

Currently

 Happy Wednesday, Y'all



 
Today I'm joining Anne from In Residence for her monthly link-up, where we share what's currently going on in our lives. And each month, Anne gives us a list of prompts to use to guide our posts. 

March's prompts are...

  *  fixing *  hearing * borrowing * feeling * recommending * 

So what am I currently up to?
 

I'm currently fixing pizzas. Or rather, my students, were fixing pizzas. ...the paper versions, that is. They seemed to really like this project. And I really liked how they had fun and most didn't even realize how much learning was happening while working. Pizza Fractions, for the win! :)

I'm currently hearing everyone say, "Oh wow. You're really sunburned." Yep, that's me. I honestly wore a sweater and a scarf, thinking I was being smart and protecting myself from the sun. And I did protect those areas. But I obviously forgot my face. So any part not covered by sunglasses is now a bright shade of red. I told a friend that I looked like a lobster and a white raccoon had a baby. And it hurts. Wow does it hurt. One day I'll learn...

I'm currently borrowing this movie from the school library. I watched it with one of my classes. Oh my word... Y'all, it's been so long since I watched it. I honestly had forgotten about some of the intensity in it. We've had such good, in-depth discussions as a result. But yeah... It was a hard one to watch.

I'm currently feeling grateful for the concept of "even though," which I read about on the Velvet Ashes blog early last week and which I'll be writing more about later on here. ...once I find the words to write :) 

I'm currently recommending the book, Auschwitz Lullaby, by Mario Escobar. I read it last month and I'm still thinking about it. It was actually based on a true story, which I typically prefer in books. It broke my heart multiple times and was so intense, I had to put it down a time or two, as well. But it was still such a good read. And I would most definitely recommend it.

And since it's my blog and I can, I thought I'd share a few more...

I'm currently enjoying knowing there's only 2 1/2 more weeks left until Spring Break. Y'all, I love my students. I love my job. But oh my word, am I ready for a (long) break with no alarm clocks, no real plans, just working at my own pace and relaxing as much as possible. My brain needs the break. It so does.

I'm currently working hard to keep germs at bay. I already used Clorox wipes to clean my tables/desks/chairs every afternoon anyway. But now, I do it even more so. Ah, Corona Virus... Please stay away :)

I'm currently thinking ahead to next month. It feels so weird to think that my dad will have been dead 5 years on the 19th of April. How is that even possible? Some days it seems like just yesterday. And I find myself struggling to even catch my breath at the thought of him being gone. Grief has no timeline. It's hard stuff, y'all.

I'm currently reading through the book of Habakkuk during my morning quiet time. It's been a good reminder of God's faithfulness. And I'm taking my time, reading through it slowly, as I soak in all God has for me at this time.

  So what about you?

What are your currently up to?