2020 has been a ride! Nashville was hit with a tornado in March that completely devastated our city right before Spring Break. COVID took away our Spring Break and the lives of so many. I lost two grandparents, my best friend lost her only living grandparents, my Soror lost her father, my students lost family members. Graduations. Proms. Weddings. Family Reunions. Some of the moments we looked forward to the most, were taken away from us. Racial tensions in our nation rose and election season caused us enough ptsd to last through the next election. Nashville then became the COVID capital of the world, which is a reflection of the lack of leadership that we have here. Then, just when the vaccine arrives and there is a glimmer of hope and normalcy, a suicide bomber destroys parts of Downtown Nashville on Christmas morning. It really feels like we cannot catch a break down here! There has been so much loss and grief that we have felt as a city, and even more that we have felt as a nation. There had been several days and moments where I have wondered what is God doing? I know there are many of us who legit gave up on God this year because we were so consumed by our devastations from 2020. And as an outsider, one probably wouldn't blame them for their lack of faith in this season.
I was on social media one day, mindlessly scrolling, and came across a question that made me take a step back and reflect.
"The crazy thing is, for many of us, 2020 isn't the worst year of our lives."
I could kick myself for not saving the post so that I could link it here, but shoutout to the person who posted it, because I needed to see that. While I experienced a great amount of loss, trauma, and disappointment this year, I saw the hand of God move so mightily on my behalf. I had so many plans and had so many hopes that I was ready to see come to life this year, and some of those things didn't happen. In the moment, I was hurt beyond words. However, in looking back over the year, all of it was part of His divine plan for my year. Romans 8:28 rang so true for me this year. I could have walked in a space of staying angry with God about the things that went wrong, and would have completely forfeited all of the great that He had planned for me this year. I was promoted not once, but twice. #PrincipalBae. I became a published author. #AuthorBae. I celebrated graduating with my Masters. #MasteredIt. I started to take intentional steps to prepare myself for a long, healthy life and take control of my PCOS. I started having healing conversations with family members and friends. And was able to do a lot of reflection and do some intentional development in my relationship with Christ.
Some of you may be reading this and rolling your eyes. For some of you, this could actually be the worst year you have experienced to date. I in no way wish to invalidate your feelings and your experiences. One thing I want you to push yourself to do, is reflect. Sometimes we have to intentionally look for God in our bad situations. Where was the good that you experienced this year? What type of healing were you able to experience? Were you able to reconcile with a family member as a result of a tragedy that happened in your life? Were you able to get out of an unhealthy/abusive relationship? Did you lose your job and still have all of your needs met? Have you fallen in love with something new, or gotten a chance to get back into a loved hobby? How many more books were you able to read than in years past?
My boss has said time and time again that this year has been such a gift. And it has been in so many ways! I have watched my best friend create additional streams of income through launching businesses. I have watched my sister get told that she would be without work for 3-6 months, just to be fully employed in less than a week. I have watched couples get married and pop out a few babies. I am actively watching my sister kick cancer's butt and looking fine as wine while doing so. I have seen the transforming power of grace and how it impacts relationships in the work place. I know for a fact that God has continued to be fully present in this year. I know that all that He allows and all that He intends, serves a purpose and is for His glory in the end. I am blessed to say that 2020 has not been the worst year of my life. I pray fervently for those I know who are currently in the worst year of their lives. But, it is my hope that you can find the specks of light in this darkness that we have all been exposed to. I pray that you know that life is still worth living. You are still loved and worthy of love. There is still a purpose on your life. God is still keeping His promises to you. You are not alone. You will see the goodness of the Lord, in the land of the living.
I want to close by saying this: CONGRATULATIONS! You survived! You made it to the end of 2020. As you are wrapping up and preparing to celebrate the start of a new year, spend getting your heart and mind prepared for what is coming next. (If you are reading this in 2021, prepare for what your next season is about to be). While this may be hard, let yourself believe again. Let yourself trust God again. Let yourself follow His voice without hesitation, in spite of what you experienced in 2020. I'll be on that journey with you and I know that He will continue to take care of us.
God Loves You!
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