Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
1 Peter 1:3
Happy New Year all! 2020 was assuredly a challenging year. As I am writing this, I am just finishing up my second stint in COVID jail. But there were some definite blessings in 2020 – slowing down the pace of life, more time spent in reflection and prayer, and more time with family to name a few. I have learned a lot about myself and have continued to grow despite getting more advanced in age – turned 39 again.
When you look back on the past 12 months, what comes to mind? What are you grateful for? What did you learn? It’s good to reflect. It would be easy to proceed into 2021 full of dread of what might be next but I am choosing to think of 2021 as the dawning of new possibilities, hopes, ideas, and dreams. Let’s not forget that we have a living hope in Christ which is renewed each and every morning. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Looking forward, what goals do you have in the New Year? Resolutions often fail, maybe because resolution is such a strong word. Instead of formulating New Year’s Resolutions, I am setting some goals. First, I want to continue to grow in my relationship with God. Secondly, I want to do more to help other people that are struggling or marginalized.
During my isolation, I have spent way too much time with Netflix. Netflix and my puppies have been my BFFs. One of the shows that I have been watching is Call the Midwife. It’s not often that I have been inspired by something I watch on Netflix, probably because I often choose shows like “Trailer Park Boys”, but I digress. This show is about midwives in the 1950s who help people in a very poor area in London with childbirth and other health issues. The midwives are serving others on a daily basis and making their lives better as a result. I want to do more of that! It definitely won’t involve me going into nursing. I fainted in a patient room when I was a Candy Striper so I knew early on that wasn’t for me. But the blue and white striped outfit was fabulous. I’m not sure yet what to do to help others more but I am going to be praying about it.
Our world is full of evil and difficulties, more and more every day. I am choosing to have faith that God will walk alongside me and carry me through. And you too! He wants us to walk with others as He walks with us to help them persevere through life’s challenges. As a result, they may catch a glimpse of Him through our love and compassion.
REFLECT
What have you learned in 2020?
What goals do you have for 2021?
What will you do in 2021 to show love and compassion to others?
