By no means am I the only one to write on this topic, and yes it is after Thanksgiving, but as we are told in the Bible, “we are to the thankful at all times” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

I cannot say with full certainty how anyone is or has been doing during 2020. Though we share in words and delight in various exchanges, I, being a human myself, know how much a person can hide within themselves, their true and solo pains. Not that this is inherently bad, just in a year that is already whack-a-doodle, I (myself) don’t want to add to people’s burdens, with something that perhaps is fleeting within my own mind space.

Alas, in month 10 of quarantine and the final month of 2020, which sidebar: the jokes that hindsight is 20/20 and that 20/20 is excellent vision seems just downright ridiculous considering the year; I think I have been the most consistently thankful to God that I have ever been. Though days are repetitive and sometimes so are my prayers, I end this year seeing things a whole lot different than how it started. God provides for us so much that we truly don’t need but want in order to make our lives “better” or “more comfortable”, but what value do things have when there are people who aren’t going to spend forever with the Trinity?

A downside of so many repetitive days has brought an invasion of my mind focused on past failings for sure. Not just I, but my husband and my mother have had to struggle with things from the collective years of our lives coming into our memory, taunting us, and reminding us of sins long forgiven. What I focus on when those times come is a simple truth, without the mighty hand of God, I would not have made it through. I am thankful for Him sparing my life and leading me to this time and place, albeit not ideal by normal standards. There was a time when I longed to be around my mother, to get to spend time with her as death has always seem to hang over her, but God in His mercy has granted us time together. Well her story from start to what will one day be her end if nothing but a testimony to God, but it is not the time for me to go into that now. 

But in this time of Covid, continued times of lock-downs, isolations, and whatever else may come (because really can we ever even go back to life like before?), open yourself up to see what all God truly has done FOR you instead of all that we have had to seemingly “give up” for the sake of saving others physical lives. Ask Him to show you what you can do for Him, for His kingdom in this season of the world, or in preparation for whatever lies around the next turn the world takes. Remembering that you, being a child of God, are ultimately safe and secure, for it is written:

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and
they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father,
who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
I and the Father are one.”
John 10:27-30 (NIV)

If you are not yet counted as one of His sheep (bka saved aka reborn), but want to know more information you can find it here.

If you need prayer or someone to talk to, there is someone waiting to speak to you (you can text or call): 1-877-800-PRAY

Peace, love, and blessings to you through our Savior, Jesus Christ. 💙