Finding Joy by Lauren Buczkowski

Last Thursday, I found out that my school would be closed for an extra week after spring break because of COVID-19. Now, what was going to be just one week has turned into two weeks, and I’m almost positive that school is going to be closed for a much longer time. It’s crazy to think that I didn’t realize how much this virus would impact me personally. I can’t go to school, ACT tutoring, dance, or even church service. Things that I take for granted, honestly. I never imagined that I would experience a pandemic like this during my lifetime. I have to admit, it’s pretty scary.

    I’ve spent this entire week home alone pretty much all day, trying to figure out what to do with myself. It’s been really hard to see any positive things that can come from this self-quarantine, but I’ve actually learned some things that can help me grow. Normally, my daily routine consists of me waking up, going to school, coming home, doing homework, going to dance, and then going to sleep. This routine doesn’t leave a lot of room for me to spend time with God. To me, this quarantine is a message from God that we need to slow down and find our peace and joy in the little things in life. When life gets busy, it feels like we have no time for this.

    I’ve learned the importance of making time for God, because He will always bring you peace and comfort. We definitely need peace and comfort in our everyday lives, especially during this time, which I’m sure has filled everyone with fear and anxiety. I know it has for me.     Isaiah 41:10 says, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” I love this verse because it lets me know that the Lord is with us always, and that He will always comfort us and give us strength during times of trial. So I urge everyone who is reading this to take advantage of this free time to spend time with the Lord. Talk to Him, pray, read your Bible. Spending time with Him can look different to different people. Know that when it seems that He has left us to fend for ourselves, He hasn’t. Although we have lost the ability to do simple things that we do every day, we have not lost God. He wants us to lean on Him for comfort during this difficult, scary time.