In January of this year I remember hearing news reports of a virus epidemic in China. Given the initial reassuring news reports that the virus was “not confirmed to be airborne” or that “human to human transmission has not been observed” I did not pay it much attention. There have been many virus outbreaks in recent years - SARS, MERS, Ebola and though tragically affecting their countries of origin, they all felt so far away. This new outbreak did not feel different. It was not until I saw the unfiltered reports of the conditions in Wuhan that the severity of the situation became more apparent. Was the state-controlled media really holding so much back?

By February the epidemic had expanded into other parts of China and we began hearing reports of infections outside Asia. The lockdown in Wuhan had reached levels only possible in a communist state. Residents wearing masks and all manner of custom face coverings, people were collapsing in the street. Rudimentary field hospitals were being built within weeks. Then entire cities closed; all traffic stopped, apartment buildings were being sealed shut with residents locked inside. Sanitation brigades were regularly spraying down all public places. It was impressive in a way that would have made The Chairman proud. The disinformation campaign seeding the WHO and national news reports became more apparent as the personal pleas of some Chinese doctors and citizens were briefly leaked then silenced.

Despite all this, it still never occurred to me that even remotely similar conditions would ever affect my country, my city or my family; even after the first confirmed case in the United States was discovered in Washington, even after the first case came to my state, a traveler who had been in Washington. By March the virus had reached global pandemic levels, cases were confirmed in every state, school districts were turning the traditional spring break into an extended vacation. At first it was only a temporary closure of a few more weeks. Then, the rest of the school year was held in isolation. Then the entire travel industry began shutting down, the stock market took the worst nose-dive in 40 years.

And, there was no toilet paper.

Just like the virus, this was something far away I heard about, until I went to the grocery store and saw it for myself, it was all gone. Toilet paper, water, and non-perishable food were all gone. Empty grocery store shelves as if a major hurricane was about to hit the whole country. I wasn’t worried, living in the desert had long since taught us the importance of keeping an extra supply of water. We already had enough food and toilet paper to last a while. A testament to the importance of provident living, long since practiced in my family.

Over the next few months, governors around the country began invoking mandates that would limit the size of gatherings, close public places, restaurants, gyms, sports, and even our right to gather in churches. It is terrifying how easily small pieces of our religious freedom were revoked, without legislative action. Other tragic but unrelated events triggered large public gatherings in protest, some of which descended into riots, but these gathering were not restricted? We can gather en masse to protest but not to worship? I do not blame the governors for this disparity, they are in a zero-sum game where the outcome is arbitrarily determined by the masses. The lockdown measures seemed to be working at the sacrifice of our global economy. By June the numbers appeared to be heading down and some restrictions were changed to allow public places, restaurants, and gyms to open with limited capacity. The downward trend would be short lived as the infection rate exploded to many times higher than it ever was in the spring. Now at the end of the year it is still at its height.

For many, gathering is an intrinsic part of religious worship. For me, I recognize the importance and desire to gather often in fellowship with my family and friends, but religion only practiced in gathering is not a religion capable of creating enduring change. I practice my faith alone, with family, and when possible in groups. But my church is not a building. My home is also a sanctuary of faith. And so, despite the churches being closed from March until limited religious gatherings were permitted in September (7 months !?!) my faith remained unchanged if not strengthened.

For me personally, the pandemic has had a relatively minor effect. I have been significantly sustained by the stability of my family, for which I am extremely grateful. I recognize that for many, job loss, sickness, loneliness, home school, stress and even death have been overwhelming for many months. A time like this reminds me of the ancient prophets who would stand in public in the face of much scrutiny and even hatred to declare the way to overcome such trials. Trials of destruction would sometimes lead to humility and then, eventual prosperity. I believe we do have modern prophets that have prepared us and will continue to prepare us for events like this.

So, in retrospect, what can we express in gratitude for the events of the last year - for so many things. Contrary to the rhetoric that is often expressed, the constant reminders of negativity, whether in sincerity or in attention grabbing sensationalism, there is still much positivity to be had in reflecting upon the vagaries of 2020. We each have a variety of stories and experiences to tell, each has their own unique value. In comparison mine is no more remarkable, except that it is mine.

I have recently thought to ask myself, are we prepared to supplement our children’s education with in-home learning, permanently? It seems silly to ask this because, shouldn’t we already be doing it? I do think our kids will go back to school eventually, but it may not be the same for a long time. And even when they do, I feel that a home should always be the primary source of learning. For so many people, circumstances prevent this kind of focus. How that can be changed is likely different for every individual and family. For me it would mean doing it even when desire and energy have all been exhausted by the other events of the day. Though in the past I have written somewhat critically of New Year’s resolutions in general, there is a New Year’s resolution that I desire for 2021. It is to start by finding something very specific I want to teach, something that my kids should know. Then make a plan to teach it. It could be anything - how to fold clothes, use a drill, play darts, code an app, bake a cake. Time spent teaching is the most effective way time could ever be spent. A teaching plan may be as simple as dates and times on a calendar. The plan is critical for success. And maybe I’ll set a goal to lose the quarantine pounds.

In writing this and remembering the events of the past year I am reminded of a scripture that I think perfectly describes our situation and how to overcome it. Can there be a better recipe for overcoming than this?

1 Corinthians 13:12-13

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 

Our future is only seen darkly, it is incomplete. We are promised that all truth will be revealed when the time comes, it will be as we see face to face. But for now, our instruction is to abide in faith, hope and charity. It should be so apparent that there are many in need, many have sacrificed. And charity, not only means the gracious giving of time and money, for charity is also, “the pure love of Christ” is the most important attribute for overcoming a global pandemic.

Challenges help us focus on what is most important, better focus implies better vision. In this way 20/20 may have served to grant it, to those who have worked for it. Here’s to 2021, hoping that it is better for many, having faith to persevere even if it is not, and feeling charity for all.