I have heard it said many times this year “I can’t wait until 2020 is over”.  It has been challenging on so many levels, but I know many times in the past society felt the same way.  Times were difficult in many circumstances and the populace prevailed in the end. Lessons were learned and individuals and communities became even stronger.

Recently I ran across a brief commentary about how we could and should actually be thankful for the beneficial factors that came out of this year instead of bemoaning what didn’t. In self-reflection I had to agree with the premise of the article. 

I was able to complete several projects I had started and would normally not have had time to finish, I did more exercising and my husband and I were able to binge watch some shows we had wanted to check out. We remodeled a room in our house and I got some painting done. We also spent some time putting jig-saw puzzles together and conversing about various topics.

 Additionally, I was able to spend more time putzing in my yard which I love and making numerous cards for our card ministry at church, another area that brings me pleasure.  I enjoyed spending more time communicating with my family and friends as we all had more time to devote to each other. I found myself rushing less and relaxing more, I was able to add time to reading and writing and I even took some naps and didn’t feel guilty. I appreciated more deeply the things in my life I was missing.  I have been able to find JOY in a time that does not seem very promising.

The old expression, “Every cloud has a silver lining” certainly came to mind in this writing. While the year is not over and as always, we don’t know that 2021 will bring any relief to these taxing times, we can still hope and pray and be thankful for the good things it did bring and the positive things we do have in our lives.  One positive we can always count on is God’s unconditional love. 

In this season of giving thanks, let us be especially thankful and praise the Lord for all the good gifts we have been given.

Patty