It’s been just over 2 months since we’ve been in quarantine due to the coronavirus. Not a whole lot has changed, but things are strange and certainly not normal. All of our groceries are being ordered online, and we just go to pick them up. On the rare occasion that we actually walk into the store, it is very strange. Things are not on the shelves (hand sanitizer, anyone?), and for a couple of weeks, we couldn’t find Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies anywhere (I mean, come on. Toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and oatmeal creme pies? That’s a killer combo for you there). There are lines on the floor marking one-way aisles and where you can stand while waiting to check-out, and the cashiers are now behind plastic walls. Nearly everyone you see is wearing a mask of some sort. If things were normal, you’d think the store was being robbed!

Church services have been different. Just up until this week, we were not allowed to meet in person. Who would’ve ever guessed that we’d spend Easter Sunday in our car, listening to the sermon over an FM transmitter in the church parking lot? I haven’t been able to go chat with my church family and that’s just plumb weird. Now, my church is holding two services to help split the church up to meet social distancing demands. One service for those 60+ of age, and the other for those under. All of my church friends fall into the first group. I’ll be able to chat with them face-to-face eventually, I hope!

I haven’t had the chance to get cabin fever, though. Being a full-time college student has kept me pretty busy. 

I literally jumped up and down in excitement that my college had closed its campus due to the coronavirus. Don’t get me wrong – I love school. But I get tired of all the drama that I am constantly inundated with every day at college. Boyfriend this, girlfriend that, cuss word here, obscene comment there…. As much as I try to, I can’t avoid it all. I try to not hang out with those kinds of people, but seriously, if you spend any amount of time on the campus, you will hear the f word thrown about in casual conversation. And I’m left standing there thinking, “Well that certainly doesn’t make you sound very lady-like, now does it? And really, mister, do you think it makes you sound tough? All I hear is a guy who can’t keep his mouth clean. And if you were trying to impress me…it didn’t work.”

The news that the campus had closed cheered me up. I could finally spend my days learning in a wholesome environment, where I didn’t need to ignore those words and comments – because they would never be uttered. My classes were thrown online within a week, and I was back to learning. And I loved every minute of it. While I did miss some of the on-campus parts (like talking to the one friend I do have), the online classes were awesome. Within two weeks, my grades were improving (and not because I was cheating, either!). I was learning so much more and enjoying it. I thought about why I was succeeding as my teachers would send out announcements saying that they were available to help the numerous students that had contacted them saying that they could not handle the transition. 

The first reason: I was homeschooled. So believe me, after 11 ½ years of doing school at home, I am used to it and I excel at it. I know how to study on my own, I know how to be a self-starter, and (with the exception of one class that was determined to still have group work) I could turn my assignments in early. 

The second reason: I could finish my classes for the day as fast as I worked. When the campus was open, I needed to stay till 9 pm one day a week to finish up a lab. There were also times where I would have an hour or so in between classes. Those were not always the best amounts of time to actually get things done. By the time you feel you’ve prepared for your assignment, you only have 10 minutes to complete it. I was not wasting time at home with my classes – most of the time, I was finished by 2 in the afternoon.

The third reason: I was not stressed. It is amazing how much more you can get done when you’re in a familiar, comfortable environment. I could show up to school in my pajamas and I was able to relax and learn so much more. And guess what…I actually made the President’s List because of how well I did with the transition. Part of me wishes that they’ll do the same thing for the Fall semester!

The fourth reason: I was able to avoid the language that you hear daily at school. Why people do it, I have no idea. But I loved not hearing any of it. My ears felt so much better doing school at home because I was not constantly putting in earbuds to filter out some of the things I wished not to hear.

The fifth reason: I ate lunch! Now you’re probably thinking that is a strange one, but as I mentioned before, I would be short on time in between classes to actually get stuff done, so most of the time I would try to utilize it as much as possible to finish my work. Quite often, I would run out of time for lunch, and I wouldn’t realize it until my stomach not-so-politely told me in the middle of my 2 pm class.

Things have changed, but that’s OK. Change is good, right? We’re healthy, well, and spending a whole lot of family time together. While that might drive some people insane, I’m enjoying it. While I do hope that things will become “normal” again, I’m not sure if they will. But I do know this – I’m not scared of the coronavirus. When it is my time to die, then I’ll die. Not a second before (now, this doesn’t mean I’m going to go jump off a bridge…it’s not a good idea to test God). Whether I’m supposed to die of old age, get hit by a bus, or die from the coronavirus, God already has it planned out, and it’s not something to be afraid of. After all, heaven is waiting for me! I hope you are not discouraged by what is going on in the world (there’s a reason I try to stay away from the news). If you are, just know that God has got you in His hands if you are one of His children. If you are not one of His, read my article “Good News!” to learn how you can become one!

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” 

– Isaiah 41:10

If you do not know 100% that you will be going to Heaven when you die, now is the time to repent and put your faith and trust in Christ Jesus. If you have any questions or doubts about your salvation, click here to read how you can be saved.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version.