Pastor Andy challenged me to name three lessons I learned in 2020. Just three. I greatly admire succinctness so I thought I'd give it a try. And I've found it extremely effective to help me say goodbye to something hard and hello to something unknown. Here are my 2020 lessons learned: 1) Rest is important. No, wait... rest is commanded. And while I previously made some strides with keeping Sabbath and going to bed at a regular hour, I was shocked to learn that being at home was the rest I needed this year. And a big part of resting was learning to be content with where I was and what I was given to do. Working from home, leading a bible study online, or checking in virtually with friends aren't particularly restful activities, but they were what I was given in 2020. As I came to accept what I could do during a pandemic and explore new ways of doing those things, I discovered a contentment and I think a purpose. I had to let go of some old comfortable ways and learn some new techniques and processes--but I was generally happy with the outcomes of Facebook Live, Zoom meetings, and yes, outdoor teas. How was this restful? It wasn't necessarily my plan--but in giving up daily commutes and a full schedule of meetings, I began to see what had been draining my energy. This information will be golden as I plan the next chapter of my life. 2) Adventure begins at home. So adventure wasn't my word of the year--it was Keith's. But since my word WAS "together," well, we just sort of planned a year of travel and new things. And 2020 happened. So adventure was mostly on the deck or the front porch, learning to spend time with and listen to him. Or play a game with the grands on a warmer day. Sometimes the slow pace and monotony was frustrating to both of us, but we've developed a new rhythm of living together that I think fits us better and honors Jesus more. 3) Spend time in God's creation. It became obvious to me early on in quarantine as I tried to figure out work from home that I was healthier mentally and physically if I spent time outside every day. I was more likely to get the exercise I needed by planning an outside activity, but more than that, it lets me observe God's beauty and His rhythms. Sunrises and sunsets, planets traveling across the sky, growing a productive garden, observing the seasons--all these things gave me time for wonder and worship. Psalm 65 became a chapter that I returned to over and over this year: You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 God was abundantly faithful in 2020. I believe He will prove to be so in 2021 also. I'd love to hear what you learned? Three things maybe?
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AuthorLoving words written to increase hope. Archives
May 2020
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