The Darkest Days

For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help (Ps 22:24).

In Oklahoma, we usually have a deep cold snap about this time of year. It was right on time this year, and it’s so deep and long it’s breaking records. In fact, we’re still in the middle of it. As someone who suffers from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), I’m worn out by time February comes along. January drags, but the dreary, gray days of February take their toll as winter tightens its grip before finally giving way to spring.

During cold, dismal February, grief feels like it’s compounded. Not only are we dealing with a stretch of eleven days without sunshine (or maybe thirteen—but who’s counting?), but we’re also still dealing with the impact of the global pandemic. Continue reading “The Darkest Days”

2020: What I Gained

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Col 3:2).

At the beginning of each new year, I like to look back at what worked and what didn’t in the previous year. By discovering what went well, I can move forward and do more of those things.

In 2020, each of us experienced both gains and losses. It is hard to say that 2020 was good by any stretch of the imagination. I believe it is more appropriate to say that some good came from the events of 2020. For example, I wrote a blog post early in the pandemic about people delivering and dropping off groceries and prescriptions for those who couldn’t get out and shop for themselves. Good happened when people looked outside themselves and their comfort zones to help others.

Upon reflection, I have realized some of the good things in my life that came from 2020. A summary of the top five follows. Continue reading “2020: What I Gained”

Saying Goodbye to 2020

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19).

Finally! We made it to 2021. Most of us can’t leave 2020 and all its discord and chaos behind fast enough. With a new year, we have a clean slate with new goals and resolutions.

But before I move on from 2020, I’d like to look back. Last year, I started a practice where I find three words to describe the previous year. Now, I’m sure you have some choice words for 2020, as we all do, but my words aren’t bye bye bye, even though that would be fitting. Instead, I want to focus on the positive. The truth is, for most of us, 2020 held both good and bad. Continue reading “Saying Goodbye to 2020”

Top 10 Posts in 2020

As 2020 comes to an end (finally!), I wanted to share my top ten blog posts for the year. COVID-19 was, of course, a major theme running throughout my blog posts this year. On the whole, I looked for positive things to share in my posts. The following posts have resonated most strongly with you, my readers, over the last eleven months: Continue reading “Top 10 Posts in 2020”

Practicing Gratitude

This blog post was originally published on November 11, 2018.

“Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.” (Ps 95:2-3)

Being grateful isn’t something that comes naturally. We’re inherently selfish and focused on ourselves. We don’t always feel thankful. There are a lot of bad things happening in this world, and it’s sometimes hard to figure out how to be thankful in the midst of them.

Learning to be grateful takes practice. When faced with a trial or an unexpected bump in the road, my first thought is never how thankful I am for the difficulty or inconvenience. How I wish it were! Turning my mind from my struggles and onto the things for which I’m thankful allows me to grow closer to God and to receive physical and psychological benefits. Continue reading “Practicing Gratitude”