Since the COVID-19 struck, one group of workers have been toiling away selflessly and quietly, trying to keep some semblance of normal life going. Yes, they are the teachers and school staff.
Just as it has been for healthcare workers and other workers in essential services, educators have been having a hectic time since the end of the March holidays.
With many teachers and students placed on Leave of Absence or Stay Home Notice after coming back from holidays, schools have found themselves desperately short-handed. A friend’s wife shared with me that teachers have had to take on extra duties and responsibilities in the crisis. They not only have to continue carrying out lessons for classes, but also have to prepare home-based learning modules for students at home – and stay in constant touch with these students to make sure they are not missing out on their lessons.
While some are working shorter hours because companies are scaling back their operations, teachers and school staff are racking up even longer hours at work.
Are you one of these teachers and school staff, valiantly holding the fort to ensure that our children can continue to learn even through this COVID-19 situation? I want to say this: You are not forgotten. Thank you for shouldering the additional workload. Thank you for giving your all for our future generation. We appreciate your selfless efforts, and we understand that it has been wearisome and tiring.
No one knows how long this situation will last. We pray that you will find relief soon. And we pray that you will find strength and assurance in our Father God, who knows how tired and weary His finite children feel. If we wait on Him, He promises to renew our strength.
As Isaiah says: “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:30-31).
God also understands that our need for strength, like our need for food, isn’t a once-for-all provision. He promises to strengthen us continually.
Isaiah reminds us that God chose us and called us, and will be with us. Our Father says to us: “Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
In our tiredness, we can draw strength from two unchanging truths in this verse: “I am with you”, and “I am your God.” “I am” is a God who does not change. His truths do not change (Isaiah 40:8), and His purposes do not change (Ephesians 1:11). This unchanging God is with us.
In this challenging time, may you find encouragement in God. He will strengthen and help you. He will hold you steady. –Chia Poh Fang
Lord, thank You
that You do not grow weary.
Give me the strength to face
whatever situation I am in today.
If you know of someone serving as a teacher or school admin staff, you could download and share this Thank You note with them.
