Trotting Through 2020

Thanksgiving week is finally here! This may come as a shock to some of you, but the year 2020 has been a hard one. It’s been full of highs and lows, and very lows… and each new month seems to bring its own challenges. 2021 is inching closer and I am very thankful for that. The truth of the matter is that along with adversity & trials often comes the opportunity for growth & deeper intimacy with Christ. But that doesn’t always happen. As the saying goes, “You can become bitter or better.” My prayer is that I will learn to be thankful regardless of my circumstances. As a Christian who has been saved by grace & forgiven of my sins, that alone is reason enough to remain thankful for the rest of my days. And yet, my blessings don’t stop there, they only abound.

Scripture instructs us to be thankful. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.” Walking in obedience to the Lord and His Word means living with a heart of gratitude and giving thanks to the Lord for our many blessings. But not only that, when we live with a heart of gratitude, it literally changes our perspective. Take it from someone who sometimes chooses to dwell on the negative…choosing to be thankful makes a big difference. It helps my heart shift from being grumpy to being grateful. It helps my attitude move from being bitter to being better. And let’s be honest, a bitter grump is no fun to be around!

I wanted to share a few of the things I am thankful for and lessons I have learned through this crazy year. And to start, I’m taking it all the way back to January!

January – We had such a sweet trip home to TX for the holidays. While we were there, I prayed over my “word” of the year and ended up choosing fullness. The definition is: the state of being filled to capacity. On January 1st, I shared on Instagram some thoughts behind this word and here is what I wrote: I don’t want to be filled to capacity with things or busy-ness, or a full schedule necessarily. But I do want to be filled to the full with Christ… So much that what spills out is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness and self-control.

If I had only known what was ahead! There has never been a year where more things in our lives have been stripped away. I definitely didn’t have a full schedule and we were home a lot more, but that allowed for more time with Jesus. It was a chance to put distractions aside and be filled with His fullness. What a gift!

February – With the tragic loss of Kobe Bryant and the chaos of the Super Bowl half-time, I was quickly reminded of the brevity of life, the state of the world, and the hope that is only found in Jesus.

March, April, May – We had friends & family visit. Looking back now, that time was such a gift right before the country went on lockdown. A pandemic hit! Colten’s mom was hospitalized. We celebrated Easter in our cars in the church parking lot! It was a reminder to me that nothing, not even a pandemic, can silence the Truth of the Gospel! And our ladies Bible study on base continued on Zoom when we couldn’t meet together in person. It became a time of encouragement and digging into God’s Word together – even if through technology. I always said meeting via Zoom wasn’t ideal, but it sure beat not meeting together at all!

June – Tucson was on fire, literally. Our mountains were struck by lightning and it started a massive fire that lasted for weeks. My dad also got very sick and ended up having his gallbladder removed! I had to remember Who was in control, who wasn’t (me!), and that nothing takes the Lord by surprise.

July, August, September – We explored parts of Arizona we hadn’t seen before. It’s such a beautiful state! Colten made Tech Sergeant (proud wife!) and we got orders to Texas! We went back to church, we celebrated 6 years of marriage, and we escaped to the mountains in Colorado!

October – Colten had vertigo. My family had Covid. I had a few health scares. And through it all, the Lord remained ever faithful and very near.

November – I’m still living it, but looking back at the long list of things I’ve learned and experienced this year has me feeling even more thankful than when I began typing this up! Plus, green bean casserole and all things pumpkin are on the menu Thursday! 😉

This year, I’ve had the time to dig deep, plant some roots and receive nourishment from the Lord. Being planted firmly in Him ensures steadfastness when the storms come. Abundant life is possible, even in a year like 2020, when we choose Jesus as our source of joy. Living with a heart of thanks honors the Lord and instantly changes our perspective for the better.

Don’t let trials and hardships bring about a spirit of bitterness. Choose instead to look for the good. Choose to be rooted so deeply in Christ that what flows out of your life is a heart of thanks. Take time to go back through your year and praise the Lord for all He has done!

Now it’s your turn! Let me know below something you’re thankful for this year OR drop your favorite Thanksgiving side dish! Happy Thanksgiving, friends!

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.”‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2:6-7‬