“You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light.” (2 Sam. 22:29)
At this time last year, we were still in the early days of the COVID-19 lockdown. Originally scheduled for three weeks and then extended to six, we believed we would get the virus under control and be back to our normal lives by Easter 2020.
Well, we all know how that turned out. Continue reading “What the Light Revealed”
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”
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails (Prov 19:21).
In last week’s blog post, I wrote about the things I gained and the things that worked for me in 2020. This week, I’m looking at what I lost or what didn’t work. When I know what didn’t work, I can take steps to make changes.
Honestly, 2020 was full of losses—for some more than others. It would be easy to focus on all the bad things, especially since 2021 seems as if it’s just a continuation of the craziness of last year.
But my purpose is not to wallow in negativity. Instead, I want to acknowledge what was lost so that I can grieve it and move on (because you can’t grieve what you don’t recognize). After that, I can make changes to the things I can control and move on. Continue reading “2020: What I Lost”
“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”
“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”