As this year comes to an end I think we can safely say that almost nothing went according to plan. Even plans B (C, D, etc.) that were improvised on the fly in light of COVID and it’s accompanying consequences, didn’t exactly pan out.
I’m sure in years to come we will look back and have all manner of opinions on how things could have been handled better or differently.
The saying hindsight is 2020 will never have more meaning than after this year. Click To Tweet
But when I ask myself the question of what this year has brought, I’m still not sure I fully know. It gave us nuclear family togetherness, though perhaps a bit more of that than any of us would have liked. I’m learned how much I need to feed myself creatively and intellectually while still making time for fun, and that time alone is not negotiable if I’m going to remain a healthy human and a functioning parent.
I have spent more time in my bedroom than probably ever before, mostly because it is the only room in the house where I can have a semblance of privacy (yes, even the bathroom isn’t sacred).
We’ve learned about emergency preparedness from an emergency that almost no one saw coming. I think extra toilet paper will be top priority prepper item for years to come. Logic doesn’t apply in true emergencies, and we begin to operate on instinct and our fight or flight instincts kick in. This may produce short term survival but it rarely produces good long term decisions.
I’ve been tested again on my belief in God’s provision as I saw the systems in place fail us and even cause additional damage while trying to help. I have dug deep into whether I really believe God is in control as I watch bitter civil uprising and political unrest divide our nation, our churches and even our families.
Being separated from each other just highlights how importat real life relationships are. Digital platforms, while an excellent stop gap are no substitute.
It’s easy to look ahead at a winter that may be filled with isolation and feel a sinking sense of despair. But I cannot control all of that. I can only bow my head and lift my hands in surrender to the only power that has control over all.
” For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”
Isaiah 9: 6-7
Amen Bethany, so very well spoken. Thank you for sharing. Blessings and Merry Christmas to you.
Visit from FMF#5
It started with such promise
to be the best of years,
and now, with all the dramas,
and all the counseled fears
its calendar is well-night spoiled,
sad testament to mindless storms
that gibbered, thundered, slew and roiled
and thus defined its very norms.
But surely there were moments
of grey but glitter’d grace
when deep among the torments
we could discern God’s face
and nail-scarred wrists from which he bled
through the veil of tears we shed?
Amen!