2021, I’m for you. I gotta give you a break. Come in, sit down, take a load off. Right about now there are a lot of folks out there giving you some serious side-eye, but you won’t get that from me. I’m not sure why years get held accountable for the tragic, heartbreaking, and overwhelming things that happened in the past 364 days. Seems a little unfair to make you responsible for the challenges faced by all of humanity.
It’s not your fault, 2021. Suffering is a part of the human experience. Jesus himself foretold that we would have tribulation in this world (John 16:33). In fact, in 2 Corinthians 6 the Apostle Paul makes a list of what we are to expect – afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger, slander…Sounds familiar, right?
The truth is God promises His presence, not prevention. He knows we will be well acquainted with pain. But He also knows what beauty He will create from the ashes of that pain. What many will refer to as good or bad years are really a collection of moments. We can’t be sure of what those moments will hold for us, but we can decide how to spend them and what meaning we will assign them in our lives.
I can’t say that I’ve ever had a bad year. I’ve traveled through loss, grief, betrayal, disappointment, and a host of other challenges, just as I have through joys and celebrations, learning, growth, and healing. Truth be told 2021, you were there for a little of everything on this list and more, so you know what I’m talking about.
What I really want to say is thank you 2021. Thanks for giving me the framework for another both/and year. I’m grateful to you for putting up with me in my moments of confusion, doubt, impatience, and selfishness. And thank you for holding space for the triumphant moments of connection and peace in between.
Take a rest 2021, you deserve it. I’ll be right back, I’m gonna go unlock the door for 2022.
Carrie Joy(ful) 