Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me.
Bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and FORGET NOT ALL HIS BENEFITS
Psalm 103
Our family memorized this Psalm in October. We can look back now and gratefully say hindsight is truly 2020. “Pivot” became a trendy word this year as paradigms shifted and the whole world was forced into new adaptations for survival. As we pivot this Christmas, let’s look back and see “how mightily the hand of the LORD was with us and we knew it not”. Maybe we did see a few glimpses of his glory around us as we were led through a sort of Red Sea crossing type of year. We haven’t yet reached the other side still, as the pandemic rages. But we know that God is still good and he hasn't left us now, nor will he ever leave us. Let us tell you a few of his blessings to our family this year so you may be encouraged to look back too and tell your family his salvation history in your own recent memory.
Michael’s work as Infectious Disease doctor really has been providentially timed for such a year as 2020. He has charted new territory in hospital leadership and influencing decisions for a COVID-19 response to the tide rising since March. He has become more dependent upon the LORD this year and has been blessed by a peace that surpasses understanding as the situation worsens. There are so many terribly sick and sad people he sees every day. Yet he has been blessed with protection for what he is called to do too. We are so thankful to God for all he has done! We are so excited too for the vaccines that are being wondrously produced like a Christmas present to the whole world! Wow!
While plans were changed, postponed, cancelled, etc. (no trip to Kenya this year sadly), we are people of the cross and will go where he leads. Looking back at February 2020, we vaguely remember that Michael went to a medical conference in Ecuador with a veteran missionary to teach in his specialty about a new upper respiratory infection called “the coronavirus”. The attendees were willing to receive that message of precaution and with great faithfulness and they were spared the worst of the outbreak that really impacted other parts of Ecuador tremendously. Praise the Lord! Now at home in Chattanooga we are relying on the LORD to be "Another in the fire standing next to me" as Michael works double the usual load of patients this Christmas week and Christmas Day. Your prayers and your caution (mask wearing and 6' distancing) are personally appreciated!!!
Katie in 2020 is full of thanksgiving for the pleasant places that the stay at home days allowed. The Lord led us in green pastures and quiet waters quite literally. The experiences He gave us from life overseas really helped so much in our “pivoting” to virtual school for 3 months and not going anywhere but here. The bountiful generosity of the Lord has been staggering to me this year- a family, a house, a yard, neighbors to pray with on porches, gardening, swimming, running, music, beauty in the sky every day, college friends virtual book clubs, it goes on and on. It has been so good to watch and search for what God wants to show us in all this pandemic. We have read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John 3x each this year to see if we can get to know Jesus a little better. He is no stranger to suffering and he is near. At least we’ve got that part.
A few fun ministries I’ve been allowed to pick up this year, much to my surprise have been: 1) Hosting 3 marriage retreats (with COVID precautions) through WinShape Marriage. Super- duper- gracious goodness of God there! Check them out: marriage.winshape.org
2) I took my first [part time] job outside of the home in who knows how many years! I got recruited to help at our kid’s school as an assistant in the student health office. The Lord has definitely satisfied the desires of my heart with good things! 3) A wonderful adventure came up for me in August to join in the Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine Trial! I think I got the real deal, though it is a blind experiment. I am confident this will be the best Christmas present for everyone to get for their families as soon as possible!
Now for the fun people: Josiah (12) and Annie (suddenly, she's 10). These kids have rocked the pandemic with resilience they may have acquired in Africa. They’ve been blessed with awesome neighborhood friends and an empty lot of woodland wonderland just behind our fence. They played outside almost non-stop and pray for the end of the pandemic daily.
Josiah has become a real sailor this year and competed in several youth regattas with the joy of a boy on a boat in the wind on his own. He’s pretty good at it and still plays piano and trombone too. Mainly he just likes playing with friends outside.
Annie is our little equestrian now. She was able to compete in her first Hunter/Jumper show and baby brought home 3 blue ribbons! Her violin/fiddle music has now sprung to a life of its own and she can play Christmas carols by ear and worship music together with her brother and dad when we have home church nights. She also was gifted some great neighbor friendships this year. A real answered prayer.
Finally, I was encouraged by George McDonald to share this quote which I saw come true in 2020: “Everything that God makes in a man is an obligation under which God lays himself to supply the need.”
What about you? What are the ways that you have seen the Lord carrying you through this year? Who will you tell about that? Tell us!
Psalm 78:1. O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.
2. I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old-
3. What we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us.
4. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.
