By Chris Magpantay
Perhaps there is a person somewhere out there who has not been affected by the pandemic in the past year. I do not know what that would be like. I imagine all of us do not know. What I do know and believe is that God’s plan is at work. The pandemic has complicated everyday life. Before COVID, the necessities when leaving home were my wallet and keys. Now, I need to add a mask and hand sanitizer. This is not good for someone with a bad memory like me! Shopping at Costco is not the same either. You have to wait in line to get inside. Once you finally get in, there are no more samples! Inviting friends and family over for dinner, calling up a few friends to play basketball, and traveling are all things that we now know we took for granted. On the family front, for those of us who are still employed, there is the challenge of figuring out how to juggle working from home, while keeping the kids busy and engaged in the absence of soccer practice, swimming lessons and other extracurricular activities.
Vicky And Chris, with Camille and Nicholas
The true challenge for me has been managing the balancing act of being a husband, a father to two children, a deacon, and a civil engineering project manager. These major roles each require significant dedication and time commitment. Although these roles are not new to me, the pandemic has resulted in a heightened workload and an added layer of stress, to the point where these roles can at times feel like a burden. I am reminded of James’ words:
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." (James 1:2-3)
I generally do not like facing trials, especially when there is no timeline and no end in sight. The pandemic has no defined timeline. Nonetheless, we are encouraged to take joy during these times. Taking joy in trials is not easy, but the Word makes it clear that they are necessary for spiritual development. I pray that we can all take this verse to heart, knowing that through these trials, we will develop a greater trust and dependence on our Father, and that we will come through more mature and a better reflection of Jesus Christ.