To say that 2020 has been a difficult year is the understatement of a lifetime, certainly of mine. We all have witnessed the unthinkable -- a pandemic that has changed our lives in ways we could never have imagined and taken the lives of those we know and love. It is safe to say that most of the families I know have been touched by sickness, sorrow, and loss. Ours certainly has, but one thing has not changed this Christmas -- the Savior whose birth we celebrate. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Steve and I are celebrating our first Christmas as empty nesters. Our son moved out in July, 2020 and our daughter moved back home to Tennessee Thanksgiving weekend. Because of the pandemic we made the decision not to travel out of town, or even across town, to visit family for Christmas, opting instead for a quiet holiday at home.
Rather than buying for each other, Steve and I decided to bless our kids and those less fortunate, as generously as God's provision would allow. Even though Steve lost his job in October because of pandemic-related downsizing God provided another job so that we would have the resources to give even beyond what we thought was possible. We learned this year that it is truly more blessed to give than to receive.
Many friends and family lost loved ones this year, even as recently as in the days leading up to Christmas. My prayers that God would provide the comfort and healing they and their loved ones need are coupled with the awareness that I will eventually face the same kind of heartaches that so many have this year. It is not something I fear -- I know the heartaches will come -- but I pray daily for the grace and faith to meet those challenges in such a way that others will know Jesus truly does save and care for his own.
The year we thought would never end will soon be behind us. Sadly the days ahead don't look to bring any meaningful relief. More than ever we all need to press hard into God because he is the only hope we have.
God's word is filled with promises of his presence, peace, grace, power, and provision. If you don't spend much time reading the Bible or talking with God in prayer, then resolve in 2021 to make doing so a daily habit. It won't cost you anything but a little time each day -- an investment that will pay you the rich dividends of a closer walk with God and the peace which passes understanding.
