Can you believe that we are coming up on one year since COVID hit us hard? I know the last thing you probably want to talk about is the pandemic but stay with me here. This last year has had its ups and downs and I want us to look at the positive side today. I’m definitely not belittling all the bad that has happened but I think we get enough of that in our newsfeed and on TV. So that is why today’s post is focusing on the good.

Try a little experiment with me. Imagine a year ago today March 1st, 2020. It was a Sunday, so for me, that means I went to church, had lunch with my family, and rested for the week ahead. I don’t remember exactly but we had just moved into our new home at the end of February 2020, So I most likely wasn’t resting but unpacking and getting settled. The upcoming week was an exciting one. Monday was filled with work and loving on the teachers at my daughter’s school. We made them a yummy taco lunch and I personally made 6 dozen cupcakes. That wasn’t even the most exciting thing that was going to happen this week. My youngest was going to kindergarten roundup. This is where future kindergarten students get to come into the classroom and meet the teachers and see what school will be like. (Weren’t we in for a shock) a year ago how would you have reacted to someone saying “Sorry I’ve gotta go my kindergartener has a zoom call in a couple of minutes” God bless my kid’s teachers when they are on video calls. I’m sure it can be a challenge to keep their attention in person but on a video call is a whole other level. 

Now let’s think about the good that has happened this past year. I’m going to share a few of the biggest things that have changed in my life. When it all went down I was working in the children’s department at our church; so we were trying to figure out how to do church online. I was trying to come up with some creative ways to do ministry online. One day I went into a meeting, to what I thought was, to talk about my ideas and I was asked if I would like to join the digital team. I was shocked and slightly confused at first because “why me?”. You see a year ago my confidence was starting to grow but it was nowhere it is today and honestly that because of everything that happened from the moment after I said yes to the digital team. 

I could go on and on for pages but I won’t do that because I like to keep these blogs short and sweet, but here is the rundown. Let me start with one of the biggest changes. When I moved on to the digital team I gained the job title Digital Engagement Pastor. The title in itself might not seem huge but let me give you a little context. You see I am the first female pastor in the history of our church. That’s a huge step and I pray that it opens more doors in years to come to other women. With that, I was also given the opportunity to be in meetings with the leadership of the church. Yes, I am the only female in the room, but so grateful to bring a different outlook and perspective to the group. One of the best things about it is that I feel like I have a voice and my voice is heard! 

In this past year, I also started this blog, which not only can help others but has grown my self-confidence exponentially. I also became a digital missionary on social media. My main platform is TikTok and I have had the privilege to pray with over 450 people since July. Seriously, my mind had been blown by how God is working through me to reach others! Another thing I never thought I would be doing was speaking. I spoke at two online conferences last year on zoom calls and there are talks in the works to speak in a workshop at a large conference later on this year. I used to hate to speak in front of people but today I find joy in sharing what we are doing with our online ministries at Church Anywhere. (Shhhh don’t tell my lead that I said I love to speak. That can be our little secret. Haha.) Without this past year, I would not be the person I am today and I am so thankful because becoming more confident has propelled me into what God has called me to. I hope you were able to pinpoint the good that happened in your life throughout this last year as well. 

I pray that this blog today was an encouragement to you and can help in your daily life. Always know I am available to pray with you or just be someone to talk to when life gets hard. E-mail me at megan@churchanywhere.us if you need prayer! 

Talk to you next Monday!