Every year I write a reflection of the year that is to pass. 2020 was the year so many suffered in many different ways! When Covid-19 shut down the world in March no one had a clue it would still be rocking our world. None of us imagined a year of lockdowns (especially here in California), riots, people losing jobs and businesses, enforcement of masks, churches moving outdoors, a crazy election, the list goes on. So many around us suffered tragic losses in their families. It has been so hard on so many and so much uncertainty lies ahead.
What we do know is that God has not changed and His plans are for good. We can walk by faith resting in His sovereignty and truly believing with all of our hearts that eternity with Him in Heaven is coming and this too shall pass.
“For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. - Psalm 112:6-7
For us this has been one of the best years we have had. I say that with some anxiousness not knowing how some will take that. Of course we did not enjoy watching the suffering, we hate the division this pandemic has caused, we see how hard this season has been for our elders, amongst everything else. This year has finally brought about some answers for me of years of health issues. That has not been fun by any means but I am trusting His plans in that too. However, this was the year we visited our amazing family in Idaho and reconnected with them! The kids and I met new cousins on Brian’s side! We are all still talking about it with so much joy. The kids can not wait to go back. We watched our Abby get baptized, we paid off all our debt, enjoyed a lot of family time with Brian’s new work schedule, celebrated 10 years of marriage, and ended the year with Brian becoming a pastor at our beloved church!! I could share so many other amazing things that came.
We have no idea what 2021 will bring. My hope is not in tomorrow or next year or the years to come. My hope is in Christ’s finished work on the cross. My prayer is that God will grow me closer to Him. That he would save all of my children! That God would help me deal with my sinful patterns. This year has really shown me how much anger I struggle with. How often I feel I need to voice my opinion and fight for justice. My hope is that I will truly continue to stay in the word daily, in prayer, humble, patient, and truly keeping Christ at the center.
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Soli Deo Gloria
