2020 Taught growth beyond comfort zone

By Kristen Bourgeois

With 2020 officially over, I have had time to reflect on this very different and very challenging year. As I was reflecting on all the things that have changed this year, the Holy Spirit began to show me how this pandemic has challenged me to grow.

This year, I’ve learned to shift from fear to faith and step outside of my comfort zone.

When the lock down happened, my youngest son was only a few months. So, at the time the lock down happened, I was still surviving that newborn stage and the transition from one kiddo to two.

So, I wasn’t initially concerned by the lock down, because I wasn’t leaving the house much anyways. But, as the lock down progressed, this introvert recognized the need for community and fellowship.

I did something I would have never done if it wasn’t for this pandemic. – I joined a virtual book study with complete strangers on the life of a saint. We read a book about the spiritual life as taught by St. Theresa of Avila.

I’m not going to lie and pretend I grasped most of what the book we read was about. It was in the sharing of the other women and their struggles to grow and pray and remain faithful during this crazy year that reassured me I am not alone.

When the lock down was lifted, and we finally entered into phase two, I signed up for a mom’s book club and a Bible study group at a nearby church, while masked up and socially distant. I didn’t know anyone doing either group.

I finally had the courage to do something I’ve always wanted, but never followed through to do.

If I want to grow, I need to put myself in new situations that I might find uncomfortable.