Tomorrow we say goodbye to 2020.
It’s easy to think of all the things that were absolutely terrible about this year. In fact, one of the habits I picked up this year was “doom-scrolling”. Already did it this morning – turns out, as usual, no snow coming to North Texas after all. What a shocker. In addition, another healthy person my age died from coronavirus – not to mention the dozens, hundreds, thousands of others.
It’s easy to get lost in the despair. So much so that we forget to thank this year for some of the things it did bring us. Every year, no matter how terrible, has its moments of light. Every year teaches us something.
So this morning, I’m cataloging what I’m grateful for from 2020. This includes but is not limited to a wonderful school I’m blessed to work at, great colleagues, a safe and nurturing place for my boys to go to school, and a year of countless lessons in compassion, understanding, empathy, and hope.
As we near the end of this year, we may be tempted to run into 2021 like their is a dumpster fire raging behind us. I wonder, however, what it would be like if we stepped into it reverently, quietly, and filled with joyful hope instead.
My prayer this morning is from a fellow #intothedeep and #dotmagis (as well as many, many wonderful Ignatian books) writer Vinita Hampton Wright:
“God of all time, help us enter the New Year quietly,
thoughtful of who we are to ourselves and to others,
mindful that our steps make an impact
and our words carry power.
May we walk gently.
May we speak only after we have listened well.
Creator of all life,
help us enter the New Year reverently,
aware that you have endowed
every creature and plant, every person and habitat with beauty and purpose.
May we regard the world with tenderness.
May we honor rather than destroy.
Lover of all souls,
help us enter the New Year joyfully,
willing to laugh and dance and dream,
remembering our many gifts with thanks
and looking forward to blessings yet to come.
May we welcome your lavish love.
In this new year, may the grace and peace of Christ bless us now and in the days ahead.”
