Troll Island Notes, Special Edition: No Assignments or Announcements--Only Gratitude

Right now, loving my neighbors means keeping a safe distance from them, and even from my brothers and sisters in Christ.  But I am reminded every day how thankful I am for so many of them.


I thank the Lord for my fellow-teachers and the staff at RTCS.  Their wisdom, hard work, and godly counsel are helping to make our enforced remote learning a success.  I am blessed to be a part of this God-glorifying school.


I thank the Lord for my students.  The great majority of them have risen to the occasion, and then some.  They have done their work conscientiously, treating it not just as a hurdle to be jumped over, but as a real opportunity to grow in knowledge and wisdom.  They have done all that I have asked, and sometimes even more, going out of their way to make their work legible, punctual, and even in many cases a pleasure for me to read.  I am humbled by their work ethic and their Christlike attitude.


I thank the Lord for the parents, guardians, and other caregivers of our students.  I can only guess at the strains that the "new normal" has introduced into their lives.  But these people--many of whom still have their own work to do--have graciously and uncomplainingly taken on the extra burden of monitoring and appropriately assisting the children with their schoolwork.  They have become teachers themselves for a time.  I am blessed to work with people like them. 


I thank the Lord for all those who daily put themselves in harm's way to serve the community, especially for those working to combat this disease and limit its spread.  I am thankful for their efforts to protect my health and safety, and the health and safety of those I most care about.  I am blessed to live in such a community and such a country.


I am eager, even a little restless, to get back to the classroom and to teaching and interacting with my students in person.  I have always believed that is the best way; if anything, I believe it even more now.  But until that time comes, in the Lord's good providence, I will be grateful for these and many other people who are a blessing to me and my family.