2020

For the past 10 years, I’ve written a reflection on the year through words and pictures.

Much could be said about 2020.

An intermingling of grief and joy.

This will be my first and last blog post of 2020 on my personal blog. For whatever reason, inspiration was few and far between this year. But that’s okay. I thought I’d include it on Okay Bible Teacher, as well.

I will process through various photos.

As always, in no particular order…

James & I went plant-based

On New Year’s Day, James and I watched the documentary Game Changers and we found it pretty compelling. I grew up with a mom who was wayyy ahead of her time when it comes to healthy eating, so eating plant-based wasn’t much of a stretch for me. DEFINITELY a change for James. But I’ve been really proud of his willingness to change.

We both talked about what it would look like for us to honor God with our health. Our exercise. Our eating. Making eating less about what we look like and more about actually giving our bodies what they need. Also, doing our part to take care of the planet.

We’re not vegans. We still eat meat, dairy, and fish on occasion (at people’s homes, restaurants, etc.). But all the food we’ve purchased this year and prepared at home has been plant-based. And we’ve loved it.

Turned 31

Thirty-one! My “Covid” birthday was actually really wonderful. Complete with large balloons, leftover wedding sparklers, Nothing Bundt Cake, a lot of sushi, and a late night dance party. It was a perfect day.

Ended a Career

I completed my third and final year as a high school Bible teacher. The first few months of the year were business as usual. Then, on March 13th, I left my classroom not knowing that that would be the last day I ever taught in it.

Four months later, I would return to clean my classroom out–packing up all of the books and activities and work I had done over the past few years.

The school I taught at refused to require masks. And when I asked for masks to be worn in my classroom because of my underlying health issues, they told me no.

Sadly, it was obvious that they cared far more about upsetting far right parents than they did about me. So at the end of July, with shaking hands, I hit the “send” button–sending in my resignation. And venturing out into the great unknown.

For the first time in my adult life, I was unemployed.

And I was, once again, faced with my seemingly incessant “need” to find my worth and identity in what I “do.” James is so impressive to this world. I have watched for over a year as people fawned over him in awe of a PhD in math education. Most of the time when meeting people, no one would ask what I did. Or they would quickly dismiss it with a nod, and back to James. I remember admitting to James how invisible I felt next to him when meeting people.

I felt that again. Albeit more so. For if I was “unimpressive” as a Bible teacher, how much more unimpressive must I be as a “nothing.”

And again the Lord reminds me of where my worth, identity, and hope are found. And it is not in how “impressive” I am to the world’s standards. It is not in my job. It is in Christ.

This year, I was once again forced to learn to stop my deadly “doing.” And to instead rest. Rest. Rest.

Friendships

Finding friends in Athens hasn’t been easy for me. Covid definitely didn’t help. Hard to grab coffee or get to know people when you’re stuck at home all day.

I work from home now. And we started attending a church during Covid, so in person meetings have been few and far between. It’s also a very small church, and women my age (in Christian circles) tend to have a million kids so I don’t fit into their worlds. Then I tend to get along better with the guys. Who can’t really be your friend when you’re married. Sooo after a year and a half, James is still my one friend in Athens 😂

And if it’s 2-3 more years of him being my only friend, I am thankful for that friendship.

I am also thankful for my best friends, scattered around different states. I believe this year we have grown closer. We’ve found ways to “be together” when far apart. Weekly Zoom calls, Zoom game nights, Bible studies, workout programs, watching movies at the same time and texting each other,…I am so so thankful for my best friends.

And how I miss them.

Hogwarts Battle

James and I have discovered a love for cooperative games. Namely, “Hogwarts Battle.” It’s been a small obsession this year, and we’ve almost defeated the expansion pack (and my dad bought us another expansion pack for Christmas, 😅). Playing helps soothe the wounds of another canceled honeymoon and the tickets that I had to see Cursed Child in London 😂😭

Other Notable Mentions: Chronology, Sequence, The Game, N*Sync, Chameleon, TENZI.

One year!

Speaking of cancelled honeymoons. We were headed to England and Ireland this summer, but Covid had other plans. Our second shot at a honeymoon was cancelled. Maybe we’ll have one before we’re 40? New goal.

We did celebrate our one year anniversary in Asheville, NC. We went to Biltmore, saw the Downton Abbey exhibit, I did the wine-tasting, and we walked through sunflowers.

Our first year of marriage was one for the books. But, honestly, as horrific and devastating as Covid has been, quarantine has been a gift. Our schedules were so hectic and tiring before. Quarantine allowed us more time together than we’d ever had in our time of knowing each other (Very quick, long distance relationship problems). And it was wonderful. I can’t put into words how much I love James Drimalla. He is grace upon grace.

Weeping for justice

We wept. We marched. We voted.

It is difficult to put into words the pain of this year. George Floyd. Ahmaud Arbery. Breonna Taylor. Systemic racism rearing its ugly head left and right. Every headline, I weep.

I am thankful for those who have wept and marched and voted. And spoken up for the least of these. And acted on their behalf.

I have also been horrified and bewildered by many responses. By so many words. By the Church.

Honestly, I’ve been disgusted by a lot of “white evangelicalism” this year. I’ve been extremely saddened and disappointed by the SBC. It’s been eye opening. And it’s been a lot to take in as a black woman.

I’ll continue to weep and march and vote. I will continue to act. I will continue speak up.

And I will continue to pray, come, Lord Jesus.

Made a website!

During unemployment, I thought it might be fun to put together a website to help other Bible teachers. It has been a complete flop 😂No one reads it. Probably 95% of the people who told me they’d contribute to it, didn’t. One person who is not related to me bought something from the Shop. I reached out to over 50 different Bible teachers/educators and no one responded 😅So yeah, total flop.

I knew it wasn’t going to “go viral” or anything. But I admit I thought that at least people I knew would be supportive (e.g. share posts, contribute articles, etc.).

BUT it was really enjoyable putting together, and I’ve enjoyed writing an article here and there for it. I would have loved a resource like this while I was teaching, so I will continue it just in case it can benefit someone out there in cyberspace 🙂 Also, it all felt worth it when, during a job interview, I was told that they had checked out my website and thought it was awesome.

So not all for naught 🙂

Halloween

Y’all know I love Halloween. Had nowhere to go, but I was not going to let that rain on my Halloween parade.

Side Note: My nephew was an aircraft carrier 😭

The Dream Job

In September, I opened my Facebook to see a post in the Tim Mackie Discussion Group (I know. Nerddd) I’m in. The post was about an open position at BibleProject. I clicked on the job description and was completely shocked because…it was actually something I could do. It was a pipe dream, but James and I worked the entire next day. He worked to reformat my resume, and I worked on the initial application questions/assignment. A little less than a month later, I heard back from them.

Fast forwarding through interviews and additional assignments–in November I was offered the position as a Content Writer for BibleProject. And there are really, truly, are no words. To say this is my dream job is a vast understatement. I am just a contract worker, so it may not last past my contracted time period. But I will soak up every single moment.

Do you know the feeling of wanting so badly to do something, but after years of never even being given a second glance from people, you begin to think that maybe it’s because you’re actually not good enough for that thing?

It is so difficult to break into the “theology” world as a woman. To break into writing has felt impossible.

This was a completely undeserved gift. And I am so thankful.

Rapid Fire Happenings

• DANIELLE POTTER came to visit Athens in January! Another gift.
• Tried stand up paddle boarding. Not my favorite.
• Worked out A LOT (thanks, quarantine!). My gym is Fitness Blender videos and a set of PowerBlocks. Seen some gains, although I’m at the mercy of dumbbells versus a barbell. But I can squat and deadlift 50lb dumbbells and can knock out some 45lb per hand chest presses. Not too shabby 💪🏽
• Visited family!! Mine and James’. Really thankful for them, their health, and time together.
• Went to Asheville 3 times? Once with friends, and it was so fun!
• DIDN’T GET COVID! 🙌🏽
• Went on at least 100 walks with James.
• Went to the ER. Got injected with morphine for the first time in my life.
• Taught myself how to play the ukulele!
• Wore overalls a lot
• Read through the Bible again with the McCheyne reading plan
• Watched an embarrassing amount of movies/shows
• Became obsessed with Survivor 20 years late
• Had to dye my hair all the time because it’s freakin’ grey
• Started going to counseling weekly to help with the anxiety and insomnia that began after getting married
• Paid off my seminary student loan! Student debt free!!
• Participated in turning Georgia blue
• Probably wore a dent in our couch 😂
• Drank a gallon of water every day for like 6 months. No clear benefit, haha.

It has been a year.

I grieve with those who grieve. And I rejoice with those who rejoice.

I end this year humbly and filled with gratitude. The Lord is every gracious and kind. As paradigms continue to shift and grow, my faith deepens and my passion for the compelling story of Jesus drives me.

2020. A mingling of grief and joy.

And an ode to the beauty that is in all of the ordinary, mundane, in and outs of life.

In January, when my friend Danielle visited, she wrote this on my chalkboard sign. And I think it sums up everything well.

Happy New Year, everyone 🙂

-Shara