It’s the last day of the year 2020 and what a year it’s been.
I started 2020 as a normal new year, hoping to stick to at least one resolution, to lose some weight, to spend more time with the kids and to continually learn how to strengthen my faith.
Safe to say, 2020 threw a massive curveball and my ‘resolutions’ were the last thing on my mind.
With the pandemic gripping the world, it became increasing scary as the virus started to claim lives.
I still remember the confusion and fear that overwhelmed me as I heard the words ‘lockdowns’ and ‘shutdowns’ being used incessantly.
Schools and workplaces were closed and I was fortunate enough to be able to work from home.
As the months in lockdown continued, I began to hear people curse this year away. I agreed! 2020 truly was a nightmare.
It was probably July, as the world continued to spiral with infections and deaths that I needed to pause and reflect.
I had not expected the year to turn out the way I expected.
It was at this realisation that I knew that I needed to activate my faith more than I ever had.
“I know that it is in the absence of certainty that faith is born.”
If we are going to go through life, then we need to have faith to get us through the uncertainty that is inevitable.
I read through the Bible and the story of Jesus in the storm began to have more depth in meaning. (Matt 8:23-27)
The disciples expected to get to the other side safely because Jesus was in the boat. That’s the reasonable expectation we all have.
We should be able to get to the other side because Jesus is with us.
The story, as we all know, took an interesting turn.
The storm began to rage and Jesus was asleep.
The disciples ran to wake Him up.
The first thing He said was, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?”
I reflected on what my own reactions would have been if I was in that boat, and it would have been the exact same as the disciples. I would never have thought to speak to the storm myself.
I had to really think about this in my own life.
I need to be able to accept that I can speak to the storm or the mountain in front of me- because Jesus is with me on my boat. (Mark 11:23)
I needed to learn this lesson for myself and I never would have had the opportunity to stop and reflect if it wasn’t for the lockdowns.
I continue to look forward to the new year with a lot of the same hopes I had at the end of the last year, but this time I know that no matter the storm, I have the faith to speak to it.
I have spent some of the best time with my children and I have learned to appreciate what I have been blessed with.
Maybe I did end up actually sticking to my resolutions (apart from losing weight)!
I have spent valuable time with my kids and I did learn that I can activate my faith because He’s in my boat!
Happy New Year everyone.
#LoveProclaimedIt
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