New Year New Memories to Make

I am hearing a lot of negativity about the year 2020 being such a bad year. It was different from anything I have ever experienced. I do not have to tell you all the negative vibes from this past year because you were there. Yet, I can not help but think of all the positive and good that came from 2020.

As I reflect on the past, my mind keeps coming back to all the beautiful babies born and the amazing smiles on their parents' and grandparents' faces. Birthday celebrations were so wonderful as people used their imagination to celebrate the ones they love. I was blessed with the announcement of new life coming in 2021, engagements, wedding celebrations and even those cured of a disease. Even when the world said there is no hope, God gave hope.

I witnessed so many people come together to help each other when I was beginning to think that everyone was only thinking of themselves. People were helping people in ways that were so thoughtful and kind. I have seen them go over and beyond the usual kind gestures and truly come together to make a difference in someone's life. I have been fortunate to witness children have their best Christmas ever because total strangers wanted to help a struggling family.

I loved seeing pictures of all the fantastic adventures that people were taking. My newsfeed was filled with the great outdoors as friends were capturing sunrises, sunsets, birds, deers, trees, and so many other marvelous creations God created for us to enjoy. As families were encouraged to stay close to home, I heard countless stories from children, teens, and adults about spending more time than usual together. Parents and children learned to lean on each other and share their lives, not just their home. They shared memories that will no doubt become stories their families will pass down from generation to generation. Like the one, I have heard over and over about walking to school uphill barefooted in the snow, and they still ended it with those were the good ole days.

Yes, 2020 was full of challenges; one challenge for many of us has been learning new technology to stay connected with family and friends. For the first time, we had to do some social engagements in a

new way. Many of us have attended drive-through church, Zoom Bible studies, and watched live as our church family gathered, and we could still be present even though we were not there. I know it has been almost detrimental in some ways, but in another way, we have shared the gospel with more people than ever before. That is something to be thankful for because many people would never have entered the doors of a church. However, They could gather with a body of believers and hear the gospel message when and where they wanted. Due to the easy access to hearing the gospel, many have accepted Christ in their living rooms and countless other places. For them, 2020 was a time to truly live.

I am not trying to be a happy Harriet, but I am saying every year that I can remember has had its own troubles. We have had wars, world hunger, devastation, and death. I totally get it, yet even in the years where I lost someone that I loved, I still had good memories of them to cherish for a lifetime. As time moves on, I hope to remember the good times without putting all my focus on the bad. Now that we are in 2021, let's not remember the past as a year to forget but one to remember as another year God gave us time to be the light and then to reflect on the beautiful memories that were made.

Let's not mark off 2021 because it is not starting the way we want.

Matthew 6:34 states: Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

The Lord knows where you are at, and He is not being taken by surprise. Talk to Him about all your worries and troubles. He is there for you and wants to lighten your load. You don't have to drag the past into your future; you can drop that at the feet of Jesus.

Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

I want to start my new year with memories that I will cherish from 2020 and accept the challenge to make 2021 the best year yet. After all, one day we will tell the stories from my life, and I am sure we will end it with those were the good old days.