I recently printed off our camping list. As I gazed at the things we would need (some I can’t even find in stores anymore) a thought struck me. I already miss the “olden days.”
Olden days as in the era I grew up in? Olden days as in the 1800s where I like to place my characters for my historical books?
No. Olden days as in last year. 2019.
A friend of mine said he wished we could erase 2020 from the history books. His comment gave me pause. What if what we are facing at the present lasted forever?
Should we just cancel 2020 altogether? Maybe start over?
One thing 2020 has taught us is that life can change on a dime.
One minute we were going about our days waiting for spring and the next minute we faced the news of a dangerous virus, sheltering at home, businesses closed for the foreseeable future, unemployment, isolation, and a toilet paper shortage. Simple freedoms we took for granted slipped away before we even had a chance to notice. Social distancing replaced hugs and handshakes and masks became the new great divider.
Fast forward to riots, violence in the streets, cities burning, the taking of innocent lives (including children), civil unrest, and unparalleled division. Personal safety threatened.
The issues that struck fear to our very core struck us in ways that escalated heart rates, blood pressure, and the peace we longed for.
For those of us in Christ, we know this is not our permanent home. We have an enduring hope, knowing this craziness we are experiencing is but a blip on the radar of history.
When all history – and not just 2020 – fades away into the distant past, one thing will remain.
Take His hand. Revel in His peace. Cling to the One who gave you life and who gave His life for you. Our hope is in Him.
So while we can’t, and shouldn’t, delete 2020 from the history books, we can look to the One who will never change. Whose love endures forever.
Penny Zeller 