What I loved about 2020

Was there really anything to love about 2020?

To many of us, 2020 was a year not worth remembering. There was lots of pain, sorrow, illness, uncertainty, etc. going around – too much for most of us to handle! As Christmas came along, I found myself wondering how ‘Merry’ this year’s Christmas would be for those who had lost loved ones, lost a job, depleted their savings, and were far away from family.

Christmas went by, and here was the New Year! “Happy New Year!” we all said to one another, and I thought, “Am I happy to see the New Year?” It was at this moment that I realized that there was much in 2020 to be grateful for! I am not talking about material blessings, though. I am talking about the lessons that came along with the pandemic; having our lives turned upside down, and having to adapt to a new way of living and socializing. Here are a few of these lessons.

I learnt some new skills

Schools were closed, and we had to continue teaching virtually. Oh my. I had no idea what Zoom was, let alone how to use it to teach! After a few days of pressure and anxious ‘Googling’, I finally figured that out. Before we started teaching though, there were a few weeks of uncertainty, listening to the news, and getting freaked out at the reports. Then it hit me – why don’t I write some prayer points on my Facebook timeline? I did so and managed to put out a 14-day prayer guide. (14 Days of Intercession). After that, I wrote a week’s worth of Kiddy Devotions (Kiddy Devotions) which I really enjoyed working on. Unfortunately, I got a little busy after that and was not able to continue with the prayer guide or the devotionals. Hopefully, I will get back to both of these in the future!

I got to know my kids afresh

When kids are in school, there is hardly any time to get to know what they are up to. Yes, they come home in the evening and you chat and catch up, but within no time they are in bed and back to school the next day! Well, suddenly schools were closed and we were all in the house looking at each other day after day! I realized that the two little ones in my house had grown, and I had to catch up on their lives afresh. It was quite interesting, I can tell you. They went to school a few days ago, and all I could think about was when the next school holiday was so we could hang out a bit more. I also learnt that parenting has to be intentional and that a parenting moment lost today is not easy to recover tomorrow.

I learnt to focus on what is important

 Once again I will refer to the news reports, but this time as a lesson. The number of sick people in the hospital and others who had passed was a real wake up call. It could have been me, or a member of my immediate family. Now I knew that time was short and life was unpredictable, and I had to use both wisely. I needed to focus on what is most important in this life, and for me, that is my relationship with God. I took up listening to Bible expositions as I cooked, or as I took my evening walk. I needed to feed my spirit with an understanding of His word, as this understanding would lead me to a better knowledge of God. It also hit me that when everything else in my life fades away, all that will be left is me and God. I knew this already, but in 2020, this lesson hit home even harder. God first, and everything else follows. It is my prayer that I will continue with the same focus in 2021!

I learnt that God listens to and answers our prayers

 I would pray every day that we don’t get sick. I have a special needs child and the thought of taking him for testing would freak me out. God heard that prayer and many others that we prayed as a family throughout the year. One of my prayers was that my son would learn to hold his pencil better and write on his own without making a fuss. Another was that he would finally understand the concept of addition and subtraction. God answered those prayers. Now, I am not saying that all His answers were yes – for some the answer was “hold on a little longer”, and others an outright “no”. But He heard and answered every little prayer. That’s what comforts me, and encourages me to keep praying.

I learnt that every day is a gift – it really is!

I would wake up each day and thank God for giving us life and health and for sustaining us since March 13^th, 2020. That may sound crazy to you, but to me, every day was and is a gift from God. So many people would have loved to be here to see 2021, but they won’t. I am here, and I will thank God for it. I have also learnt that if I am still here, there is something that God has for me to do before I depart from this world. It’s now my job to ask Him what it is He wants me to do today, tomorrow, next month, etc. Do you know why you are still here? Perhaps God is giving you one more chance to give your life to Him! Maybe He has an assignment for you to do, one that you have been dodging for years. Remember our days are numbered. Make the most of your time here to live for the Lord, to live a life that pleases Him and brings glory to His name.

Is there anything that you loved about 2020? I would love to hear what that is! Please share your thoughts in the comment section below! Blessed 2021 ahead!