On the last day of the year, I always sum up my year in a post. I also encapsulate the year with a word and I usually do that at the end. But it is 2020, after all, so why don’t I just share the word at the beginning?! It’s a word that I think most of the world is in agreement with me on. 2020. Unexpected.
When I stand at the end of this year, it looks not one iota like the beginning of the year did {or even what I thought the year would look like, obviously}. Some of that’s been great, some of it’s stunk, as I’m sure is the case for many. If it hadn’t been for the Lord, though, it would’ve been impossible to conquer. Thankfully, though, “nothing is impossible” for Him and because of Him, I am able to sit here, reflect on the year, and wait with anticipation for the next.The year began with preparation for a May wedding for my baby sister, Lauren. In March, we threw her first {and last} shower and the very next day, the world shut down. The very next week, when everything moved remote, my other sister, Meredith, who was living in Atlanta, moved in with me so that neither one of us would have to go quarantine alone. We expected it would be a few weeks to maybe a month and a half; little did we know we’d relive our childhood days and be roomies for six months!
In the midst of this, while working remotely, I had the unexpected opportunity to join a different department at work, the SBC Communications Team! Taking along the same work I’ve always done, I also gained a bunch of other responsibilities and get the opportunity to brainstorm, be creative and interact with even more people around the country – from pastors/personnel in local churches to employees at our various entities—and that is what I love, working alongside the body for the furtherance of the kingdom! My favorite part of this role at work is that I get to celebrate the work of the denomination I love {basically I’m a cheerleader
When Spring hit, the wedding we’d all looked forward to was canceled due to COVID and instead of rescheduling, Lauren and Bobby got married literally the week they canceled {which was also the week they purchased their home}! Due to Virginia restrictions combined with family size, only the parents were able to attend. And so, the very first wedding of the Young family was attended virtually! Later in October, when virus counts and restrictions were lower, we had a COVID-safe party/gala, complete with the dresses, cake, etc. at the venue the wedding was supposed to be at. It was a beautiful day.
The last half of the year saw my parents {finally} buying a home in the town they’ve lived in for four years and I cannot tell you what a joy it is to have a home to travel to now! It’s perfect for them and it also has a fenced-in backyard which Ollie LOVES! During this last half of the year, I have also had the opportunity to work on various writing/creative projects outside of work – some for Begin Anew of Middle TN, the TN Baptist Mission Board WMU, an article for ERLC, devotional family ideas for my church’s daily devotion series, and others. Being able to serve in this capacity, especially during a year where we couldn’t physically serve, has been such a wonderful unexpected opportunity!
And in Ollie news, this was a big year for him… through help from an amazing trainer, the Pawsitive Professor, he overcame his crippling fears of trucks and going outside and is leaps and bounds a different dog from where he was the first part of the year. Literally, it is a miracle. Additionally, we discovered this year through a dog DNA test that this supposed maltipoo is actually more so a pekipoo with an Italian breed mixed in…no wonder he’s so partial to pepperoni!
Even though this year has been unexpected on so many levels, the one constant through every minute of it has been the never-ending and all-sufficient presence and love of Jesus. There have been so many moments this year that just have not made any sense and have driven me to confusion and anxiety. But not once, however, did I ever doubt that Jesus was right there with me. I’m thankful for the consistency of His Word and those who have spoken its truth to me, especially throughout this year. From my family to my dearest friends to my counselor to my church to my unexpected Bible study group that formed on Zoom, all have reminded me of the woman I am in Christ and that wholeness and joy are found only through Him.
Thank you for sticking with me through the journey of 2020 {and this long post} and I pray God’s richest {and unexpected} blessings on you as we begin a new year.
“I pray that he may grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
- Ephesians 3:16-19 -
