As we are officially in 2021, the tendency, especially after the kind of year we experienced is to wipe away, clear it off the deck, move on and quickly from the year that was.
Which is true and believe me, sometimes, I want to see whatever the "Crazy Thing" is/was drift away in the rearview mirror and fast.
Except, 2020 was a tough year for many people and not to acknowledge or feel some of their/our pain is to gloss over a highly volatile time.
There are many scriptures to back up being there for others and many times, because we all have experienced some sort of pain, we can understand in some ways and come along side of those who have/are suffered/suffering.
I can think of those who lost loved ones, friends in 2020. Now loss is painful at any time but this past year was especially difficult. It is hard enough to lose someone but with the restrictions of gathering, to mourn, to celebrate, to bring food and comfort, to just be there for others, in some cases not even able to say goodbye properly because we weren't allowed to, well, it was tough.
I know that this week will be another bittersweet time as I remember mom who passed away 2 years this week. It still is hard to believe that the Queen Bea entered in to her heavenly reward and while I'm glad that mom didn't have to experience some of what we've had to go through, we still miss her terribly.
But sometimes, some of the trials we go through help us help others going through similar griefs.
I think of friends who lost parents in homes that were affected with the virus. There are so many what ifs besides the restrictions that would come to mind. Were they taken from us sooner than if they weren't infected with the virus?
What if they weren't in that home or facility; would they still be with us?
Some of those hard questions do not yield answers but they are there.
Even for those who passed away under the normal rite of life's passages, it still was difficult for family and friends because of this crazy time we have been living in.
I think of all the hard moments of loss this past year were passing of a friend who was only 50 yrs old and while she died from another disease, it was the lack of being able to spend time with the family for so many friends of theirs that made it even harder to walk with them through their grief.
Or....
One of my former students lost his 10 year old son to disease this past fall. It was probably one of the hardest moments of 2020 for many of us as we could only be there to stand and comfort because we could not truly comprehend the level of grief and loss they were encountering.
Lest you may think this is morbid, there is a method in the madness of these thoughts today.
While we want to shutter and close the book on 2020 and all it's losses, there are those who still carry the weight of their losses.
As I said before, most if not all of us have had some sort of suffering at some point in our lives, so maybe one of our resolutions (if we could call it as such) could be to be a continuing support for those who grieve the loss of someone. That loss could also be a job or a relationship but they are grieving the loss.
Maybe it could be a call, email, text, video chat or the infamous drive by, cars in the Tim's parking lot but could we make it a priority to reach out and take care of each other? If there is anything this time has shown me that we may not need a thousand but we need someone, we need each other more than ever as we walk through this uncertain time.
I Take Comfort In This Scripture:
2 Corinthians 1:3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
Will we consider reaching out to someone today? We may be just the thing/our comfort/our word of encouragement may be what they need to get through the minute/day/week....
And...... Anxious.......Anxiety
So I know that I can tend to be anxious at times; and this period of time has brought moments that have given me a few anxiety moments. Don't like it but it is the truth and we are working through those moments.
I know that part of that (anxious moments) stems from a childhood trauma but for the most part, I'm easy going and love life.
But with some of the moving parts of this virus with a healthy dose of fear infused into this pandemic, I know that it has caused many to become fearful, nervous, jittery etc.
I can't tell us not to fear but I am saying that we need to find support, build some ways to combat the anxious moments and to remember that God has always got our back; even when we think He doesn't.
Here are a few simple things we can do to help someone who maybe fighting the anxious moments and some good medicine from the Bible at the end when it comes to fear/anxiety/being anxious!
A friend called me a few days ago and said
1. “What Can I Do To Help Right Now?”
He knew I was frustrated and instead of knowing or assuming that he had the answer, he gave support.
It seems absurdly simple and almost glaringly obvious, but it’s also incredibly important. “Without knowing what's going on, it's hard to know what to do,” so sometimes, it's as simple as asking the natural question of what can we do to help.....
2. “I Love You And I Am Always Here For You, No Matter What’s Going On.”
I have a few friends where we send messages to check in and it's amazing how a compassionate text, direct message or that archaic thing called a telephone call checking in with a friend can offer reassurance when we can't physically be in close proximity.
Funny; we may not always know what exactly our friend could be going through, but to love them no matter what and being there for them can be a difference maker.
To let them know they have our unwavering support, even when we’re not together in real time.
3. To Be Able To Just Listen Sometimes....
Part of my nature is to try to fix a problem, a situation when it presents itself.
Maybe one of the parts of this pandemic that has bothered me is that it seems like those in charge don't have a handle on what they're doing so therefore, it means we are in a constant flux because of it.
It also has been part of my make up in the past to have the urge to give a friend advice, because of course, I wanted to help them fix anything that was making them anxious etc.
Sometimes it could have been just what they needed.
Other times, I wish I had learned to figure out back then that they didn't always need my advice more then they wanted to express their feelings without getting a list of things to do in response.
I've been working harder to be a good listener, non-judgmental and to be there for my friend(s) in need.
Crazy; these little thoughts aren't radical in a sense but so needed for those of us who may need a friend to walk with us through the anxious, anxiety filled moments or that we can be that friend to others.
As I reflect on 2020 and some of my anxious moments, the fear moments, I'm so glad that I had friends who walked along side those moments with me.
I can only hope and pray that I can be the type of friend who can deliver that kind of support for those in need and that care can be of immeasurable help to them.
Ultimately, if we find ourselves still in the grasp of grief, the anxious moments that create fear because there is no control over what is happening (The truth is, we never really had full control anyway), here is that good medicine that the Bible promises us and part of my 2021 outlook is to remember this when I'm feeling the anxiety trying to overwhelm me. I hope it can be of s source of comfort to you as well.
Good Medicine
Isaiah 41:10 says: Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.
Comments