Can Anything Good Come Out of 2020?

Do You Remember?

When Jesus was selecting His disciples? He found Philip in Bethsaida and invited him to, “Follow Me.” It is believed that Philip immediately went to his friend Nathaniel, aka as Bartholomew, and excitedly told him that he had found The Man that Moses and the prophets had prophesied about, Jesus of Nazareth, The Messiah. To which Nathaniel said,

Can anything [anyone] good come out of Nazareth? (From John 1)

THAT is the question I ask today.

Can anything good come out of 2020?

Can It?

Our bi-racial family has suffered great hurt and heartbreak this year. The situation is grievous and extremely sad – the story is not mine to tell – suffice it to say, there has been great damage.

Our grand-daughter suffered a job loss – one that she loved and hoped to pursue. It ended.

Our grandson’s girlfriend, lost her senior prom and graduation ceremony.

Our aunt passed away in an assisted living center.

Our dear friend’s beloved Mom lost her life, not to Covid, but Covid-related isolation in a cold, dank hospital.

The year is written with sadness, loss, and much grief.

I Choose To Cling

To the promises of our faithful God who has recorded the following in His Word…

Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41.10

Say to those who are fearful-hearted,
“Be strong, do not fear!
Behold, your God will come with vengeance,
With the recompense of God;
He will come and save you.” Isaiah 35.4

I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread. Psalm 37.25

Are Better Days Ahead?

I am an optimist, so my answer is yes!

Our family is gathering for Thanksgiving 2020 – it is a choice all of us have made. We won’t slobber on one another. We won’t cough in each other’s faces. We will write our names on cups like we did when the children were little! But, we will be together because we need to be. I want to see each one of my children’s faces. I want to encourage my grandchildren. I want to sit down and break bread with them and tell them how I love them and how much God loves them.

Covid be damned. We will be smart AND we will be together for four glorious days in the Florida sunshine. We are putting feet to our faith and asking the Lord to put Psalm 91 blessings of protection around us.

Life Has No Guarantees

I love life – there is no question about that. Even at 70 years old, I am excited about life and living. There are places I still want to see and there are people I want to visit. I choose to live in the present with great joy and kindness. I follow the rules, even Covid rules. I wear a mask when asked to and stand six feet apart in a line. IF I don’t want to wear the mask, then I wouldn’t go into the places that require them.

It is also known that each of us has an expiration date! It is appointed unto every one of us a last day. News came yesterday that a writer friend in England passed away Sunday evening. She was given a year to live yet, two months into the prognosis, she entered the gates. There are no guarantees.

2020

Is almost over. It seems oneword2021 keeps poking at me. Twice now – Holy Spirit has whispered to me. I will not reveal it yet because so often He surprises me at the last moment with something else! I do love when God does that.

This year abundance has been such a good word for us. True to Isaiah 55.2, we have delighted in God’s abundance.

Let’s make the rest of 2020 good. If you have never participated in Advent, maybe this year would be a good start. Let’s celebrate every single possible thing. Dust off your Christmas card list and buy beautiful cards to mail. Buy the organic turkey and all the fixings. Celebrate – for those of us who are Jesus followers – let’s rejoice as we’ve never rejoiced before.

In Closing

Could something good come from Nazareth? ABSOLUTELY, our Redemption did.

Can something good come from 2020? Absolutely, we serve the King of kings – we are Kingdom people – let’s live like it!

This book is a click away – on Amazon!