Adios! Arrivederci! Good Riddance, 2020!

Earlier this week, my husband and I took a short, post-holiday getaway, and while we were driving to our destination we spent some time reflecting on the year. To my surprise, he focused on the good things that happened this year, while I, suffering from a huge “2020-was-a-bummer” hangover, tended to think about all that was hard.

Listen, 2020 was a really hard year for me. Like, so hard. But I’ve realized that writing out all the bad things won’t make them go away. Delineating my stressors won’t make them seem smaller or easier. The hard is just hard, so why dwell on it?

I think, here at the end of the year, that the Lord is asking me to put my mind on the positives of 2020. To remember that, despite the hard, we still experienced so much good from God’s hand.

Here are some of the positives from 2020 that we talked about:

1. Nobody got sick.

And that’s saying a lot since we have two daughters who work in healthcare, one of whom lives with us. We’re grateful for the Lord’s hand of protection over us.

2. We were able to spend time with family.

We saw our Seattle loves a few times this year, which was amazing. In addition, I was able to make a few trips to Dallas to see my parents and sisters. Again, it’s no small feat to see loved ones these days, and we are grateful for the brief moments we can spend together.

3. Julia graduated from college!

Can we all just say a collective “Amen”? And she graduated just in the nick of time. Back in May, we thought her situation was the absolute worst, but little did we know that things would get much, much harder. She has often said that she’s glad she got out when she did.

4. Everyone stayed gainfully employed.

Except for me, who unfortunately started a travel business just before a pandemic. (OK, that’s one of the hard things—sorry for the digression.)

5. We’ve all grown as people . . .

. . . learning to accept one another’s differences and to keep loving each other through disagreements. As a family, we’ve had honest discussions about important issues, and that has helped us all grow closer.

6. We’ve grown to appreciate our church family more than ever.

Not being able to worship in person as much has been difficult, but it’s also made us love the church even more. We miss our people!

7. We’ve still been able to minister to others in practical ways.

Despite the mandates, social distancing, and other crazy limitations, we’ve still been given opportunities to serve others. And isn’t that what we’re here for?

8. I started working out with a trainer

. . . and I’m loving it!

9. The weather actually wasn’t that bad this year.

Chicago weather is always a bit of a crapshoot—you never know what you’re going to get. But even through December, the weather has cooperated, for the most part, and we’ve been able to keep up with outdoor activities, which is especially important right now.

10. Buddy!

This rambunctious pup has brought us so much joy that we can almost overlook the early mornings, the counter surfing, and the hours and hours of training. (“Sit!” “Down!” “Heel!” “OFF!”) He really is the sweetest pup, and we’re (OK, OK, Julia and I are) so grateful for him.

PC: Cindy Augustine

So, all-in-all, I’d say that 2020 had its bright spots, including one of the brightest spots in the sky—the convergence of Saturn and Jupiter. That amazing miracle, which hadn’t been seen in over 800 years, reminded me that God isn’t finished with us. He is still here, watching over his creation, and he will not abandon us.

When we anticipated 2020 one year ago, we could never in a million years have imagined the year we’ve all experienced. But 2,000 years ago, another occurrence took place that nobody could have imagined either. God sent his very own son into the world to live among people.

Emmanuel. God with us.

That’s bigger and better and more life-changing than a pandemic will ever be.

And the good news is that the effects of Jesus’s coming to earth are still being felt all around the globe. It still matters. And it still makes a difference in people’s lives.

Two thousand years from now, 2020 will just be a blip. Nobody will remember the pandemic that swept the earth, wiping out a significant portion of its population. Nobody will remember who won the United States election or the Super Bowl.

These things won’t matter.

But two thousand years from now, if he hasn’t returned yet, Jesus will still be reigning from heaven. He will still be calling people to himself. His word will still be applicable and relevant. And he will still be the only way, the only truth, and the only life.

My hope for 2021 is to keep that perspective in mind—seeking the things that really matter, doing the things God asks me to do, reveling in his glorious grace in my life.

Happy New Year, dear friends.