Embracing the Unexpected

What. A. Year. I don’t know about you, but 2020 was nothing like what I imagined. 

In our world, we have experienced loss after loss… Jobs, homes, loved ones from COVID 19, tragedies like Kobe Bryant, the passing of Justice Ruth Ginsburg, violence in the streets, and the list could go on. 

On a personal level, 2020 brought three strokes, two rounds of sepsis, eight different central lines, 300+ bags of TPN, over ninety days in the hospital…   

Although, I know for me the unexpected did not only bring “negatives”. 

• For it was in the unexpected ride to the hospital, I had the privilege of sharing the gospel with the driver. 
• In the unexpected pain, I have learned humility and grace. How to see the world through a different lens of wheels and wearing Depends.
• In the unexpected grief and overwhelming emotions, I have peace in Our Great Comforter who knows all things and weeps with me.
• Through the unexpected phone call, I was given a home. 
• In an unexpected interruption, I was a listening ear for a dear friend who needed me.
• In the unexpected rejection, I have found my worth in God’s eyes. No longer defined by the world’s fleeting desires of status or endless striving, rather His beloved and beautiful daughter.
• Through the unexpected (and terrifying) call from the Lord to speak and write, I found my passion and purpose, launching this blog, YouTube channel, devotions, along with the plan to submit my first of many book manuscripts to a publisher in the next month.
• In the unexpected diagnoses, I was graciously given community, a tribe battling with me and for me on their knees. Choosing HOPE even when I can’t see. 
• Even in the unexpected Zoom sessions with my trauma counselor digging up years of abuse buried deep, I have found my voice. The courage to own my story.

You see, while 2020 may not have been what we planned or hoped, God has been with us, in the expected and unexpected, and He is still good. 

I am reminded of the scripture in Isaiah 55:8-9. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

We don’t always think like God and cannot see the big picture, but we can cling to the promise in Romans 8:28. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

These promises do not mean life will be exempt of hardship or pain. Even still, God will use ALL for His glory if we let Him. 

So, as we look towards 2021, there are events we are looking forward to, people we hope to see, and New Year’s resolutions we would like to accomplish.

Although, I want to challenge you to begin preparing your hearts and open your minds. And in 2021 let’s choose to embrace the unexpected.