Are You Anxiously Waiting For 2020 To Be Over?

I hear it almost daily. “This has been the worst year ever!” “2020 stinks!” “I can’t wait for 2020 to be over!”

2020 has been a trying year for sure. At least for the first nine months. The pandemic that’s turned us all upside-down, Social unrest and injustice. Wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes, and a derecho that nearly flattened us. Death, disease, and destruction is evidenced everywhere. And that’s just in America!

Yes, it’s been a trying year for many of us. Some of us are still dealing with the aftermath of the above. Some of us are still battling the virus, the natural disasters, the social injustice. I pray for it all to end soon.

Are you waiting for 2020 to be over?

We want life to return to “normal.” Yet, I’m not sure I can remember what “normal” is anymore. Can you? We’ve adapted, we’ve changed the way we do things, and we’re doing our best to find our way through this strange and crazy time.

It may not look like it used to, and our normal today is likely different than it was a year ago. But, I’m learning it’s okay to embrace this season, and to give myself permission to let go of how things used to be. I don’t want to miss the gift of today by looking back all the time. I don’t want to miss one minute of this life. And, I don’t want to miss the blessings that are right in front of me.

I’m guessing you don’t want to miss these either.

So, even though 2020 has been a challenging year, has it been a waste?

I don’t think so. I see the good that has come from what appears to be bad. Maybe you do, too. I see families outdoors… together. I hear of families eating meals… together. Many people say the pandemic has slowed their schedule and their pace. (Me included!) Some of us have picked up new hobbies, and some of us have finished projects we have put off. I hear of friends whose grown children have moved home during this season, and this Christmas will be the first one in years they will all be under one roof.

You have your own stories to share. I’m guessing you’ve seen the good in your own life, too. Friend, what good has happened in your life during this strange year?

I don’t think God sees this year as a waste either.

One thing I love about God is that He doesn’t waste anything we go through. He uses it all… for our growth, for the good of others, for His glory. He’s at work bringing good from what appears to be bad. What many of us have walked through this year has not been good. That’s for sure. But, isn’t it just like God to bring something good and beautiful from the bad??

We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan.

Romans 8:28 VOICE

Babies are conceived and born. Parents are becoming grandparents. (That’s us!) Couples are getting engaged and saying “I do”. People are celebrating milestone anniversaries and birthdays. Friends are still connecting. Parents are still parenting. Lovers are still loving. Children are still growing.

Communities and neighborhoods are gathering together. Neighbors are helping one another. Churches are expanding beyond their walls. Schools and workplaces are more creative and open to various ways of learning and working.

Not only is God bringing good, He’s also walking through 2020 with us.

Let’s not wish 2020 to be over too soon.

What if, instead of wishing 2020 to be over, we looked at these last three months of the year differently? What if we started and ended each day by thanking God for His blessings? How about if we looked for the good in each day? Maybe even jotted them down to appreciate on the more difficult days? How about if you and I chose to bless others with our words, our actions, our prayers? And instead of focusing on our worries, our cares, and what’s weighing us down, we chose to hand those over to God Who can handle them better than you and I can?

I pray I don’t waste the last three months of 2020. I don’t want to wish time away anymore. I’m guessing you don’t want to either, friend.

There’s a lot of 2020 yet to live! May we make the most of these days. Let’s finish 2020 strong!

Much love to you!