March 2020 (COVID19 Drama - Episode 1)

After two and a half months, I was finally back in my office (in school) and my desk calendar said it’s March 2020. I sat on my chair feeling nostalgic. That page of the calendar brought me to the final moments just before the lockdown due to COVID 19 pandemic.

On March 13, Friday afternoon, Cebu City was still in a state of unbelief when the sudden "last day of school" was announced. No negotiation could be done. The students were not allowed to go back on Monday until further notice.

I thought I was ready because of the contingency plans made a few days before the lockdown but deep in my heart I was not ready to deprive the students from a few more weeks of deeper learning, richer experience and sweeter moments together.

While teachers had to go back to work for a few more days, I was subjected to a 2-week quarantine because my children were coming home from areas with positive COVID 19 cases. That was my last day in school.

On March 14, Saturday night, we spent our evening waiting for the delayed arrival of our daughter’s flight. Gladly she made it just 2 hours before the airport was on lockdown.

March 15, Sunday 1:30 A.M., we left for the farthest province of Southern Cebu to meet our son at the port. Thankfully he and his friends were able to cross the borders just a few hours before it was locked down.

Yes, those days felt surreal that I thought they only happen in the movies. Unfortunately, it was real.

Looking back, I realized that there are 2 important things that matter in a crisis. GOD and TIME.

We need no one else but God. In Matthew 14, when Peter focused his sight on the wind and the waves around him, he started to sink and cried out: “Lord, save me.” Many times it takes a crisis to bring us back to the truth that our life is dependent on God. It takes a crisis for us to acknowledge our limitations and the limitless power of God.

There is no time to slack. In 1 Samuel 17, David – then was a shepherd boy, when he saw the crisis that the Israelite army was facing, he didn’t waste time being afraid or going into panic but as usual, placed his faith in the living God. David then, without a doubt made the decision to volunteer himself to face the giant because he knew that he had a God that is greater than the giant.

We all experience crisis not just during a pandemic. It can come to us in different ways and at different times. Don’t forget to go through it with a God who is greater than every crisis.

Matthew 14:28-30 English Standard Version (ESV)

28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind,[d] he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

1 Samuel 17:32 English Standard Version (ESV)

32 And David said to Saul, “Let no man's heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”